The next thing will come when it ’ s time . There is blessing where there is faithfulness . Use your time in the unseen to get as good as you can . All your time pouring into your church is not wasted . It ’ s time where you ’ re also growing in your craft and in spirit . It will prepare you for what God has next for you . Steady as she goes .
GEAR LIST :
CHURCH DRUM KIT Franklin Drum Company Kick and Toms , Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum , and Q Drum Copper Gentleman Snare Drum
DRUM SIZES 9 ” x13 ”, 16 ” x16 ”, 14 ” x22 ”, 6.5 ” x14 ”, 7 ” x14 ”
favorite . There are only a few that I ’ ve heard that actually sound great .
There ’ s a common misconception that the deeper the snare the deeper the sound , but I don ’ t find that to be true .
My favorite size is 6.5x14 or 5x14 . Those are the perfect snare sizes to me .
[ WM ] Can you list three worship albums that inspire your own worship drumming ?
[ Austin ] I generally pull inspiration for worship music from other kinds of music and work it into the worship format . But the early ones shaped a lot for me as a kid , Look To You by Hillsong United , The I Heart Revolution by Hillsong United and Pages of Life : Chapters I & II by Fred Hammond .
[ WM ] Any drum gear endorsements for you or the church ?
[ Ausin ] I personally endorse Istanbul Agop cymbals , Franklin Drum Company , and Big Fat Snare Drum .
[ WM ] Tell us about that unique pile of bent cymbals you use ?
[ Austin ] That ’ s called the “ Clapstack ”. It was invented by Trevor Lawrence and Istanbul Agop cymbals to make a cymbal that sounds like an Roland 808 drum machine clap . Drummers have been stacking cymbals for a really long time to kind of create that short burst sound . But they figured out a way to make it sound just right , with the right angle and science to make it clap .
[ WM ] We have seen a Roland SPD-SX as part of your kit as well . How are you using that ?
[ Austin ] I used to use it a lot . Used it as a midi controller to trigger samples or songs in Ableton . Used it simply to load samples on and play as an auxiliary instrument . I ’ ve used it as a module for triggers on the rest of my drums .
Although it an amazing tool , these days I ’ ve found myself not wanting to mess with it anymore . I ’ m more interested in adding more pieces to my kit rather than more electronics . I guess it ’ s just what I ’ m inspired by currently .
[ WM ] Words of encouragement or advice for other worship team drummers ?
[ Austin ] Be faithful with what ’ s in front of you . Dream big , but don ’ t get caught up in what ’ s next . God has you where you are for a reason .
CYMBALS Istanbul Agop 17 ” Xist Dry Dark Hi-hats Clapstack with extension 22 ” Xist Power Crash 24 ” Joey Waronker Ride 22 ” Mel Lewis Ride
KICK PEDAL DW 9000
DRUM HEADS Remo . P77 , Emperor X or Controlled Sound on snare , Coated or Clear Emperors on Toms , Clear or Coated Pinstripe on Kick .
STICKS Vater Power 5A
IN-EARS 64Audio a18t ’ s
[ WM ] Any gear you use that we left out ?
[ Austin ] Yes ! I have an Air Throne . It is and does what its name is . It ’ s a well-built drum throne that has a fan in it and blows air to help with sweat while playing . It ’ s incredible . Not currently on the market , but maybe in the near future …