A favorite memory will always be meeting Charlie Watts in New Orleans at a Rolling Stones concert that was directly a result of the podcast.
If you’re looking to start a drum podcast – this guide is for you. We had the chance to sit down with respected podcast host, Bart van der Zee of Drum History Podcast, to get answers to all the questions you need to get started.
Bart has gained years of podcast and audio/video production experience during his career and was willing to share his knowledge with The Drum Directory community. With over 240 episodes recorded for his own podcast, you could say he knows a thing or two about this topic!
We discuss Bart’s experience in detail, his favorite tools for podcasting, how he prepares for interviews, tips for monetizing drum podcasts & much more… enjoy!
Table of Contents
Bart's Background
Tell us about your work experience and how that relates to the Drum History Podcast
My background is heavily rooted in audio and video production. As a lifelong drummer, I have worked as a drum teacher, session musician, and gigging drummer. My interest in audio production began in grade school when I purchased a Yamaha MT-50 4-track cassette recorder at a garage sale in the 5th grade. That purchase changed my life and eventually led to my career.
I went to college for audio and video production and interned at a recording studio called Sound Images in 2011. In 2015, I began working there as an audio engineer. During my time at the studio, I worked on hundreds of radio, TV, and digital commercials, over 20 major films and TV shows, and countless albums. I had the pleasure of engineering an album that received a Grammy nomination and served as the in-house studio drummer.
In 2016/17, I started leading the podcast production arm of the business. It occurred to me that I had the knowledge and skills to create my own show, allowing me to combine my love of drumming with podcasting. My band had recently broken up in early 2018, so this seemed like a perfect way to stay connected with the drum community and learn more about the history of drums. It was a win-win situation, and being allowed to work on the podcast during office hours was a significant factor in its success.
I worked at the studio until 2020, after which I continued to grow the podcast independently from a home studio I built. It has been a VERY rewarding journey ever since.
Connecting with Guests
What's your approach to connecting with podcast guests and getting them ready for the actual episode?
Having good, clear communication beforehand is key, and guests should know what you expect from the interview. My show differs from other great drumming podcasts because I focus on specific topics and cover them in complete detail, without straying too far from the historical and educational information. While I aim for a fun and relaxed atmosphere, I believe in getting to the content as quickly as possible. If you’re tuning in for an episode on the history of Ludwig Drums, we should be discussing that history within the first two minutes of the show. I usually have the episode title in mind before we start recording, which helps keep us on track and avoid surprises.
For preparing guests, I send a boilerplate chunk of information to each one. This includes technical details, a request for them to wear headphones, tips for a strong internet connection, and the interview link. I use a platform with a central interview link, so I don’t need to create a new link each time, which is very convenient.
Sometimes we have a phone call beforehand, but more often, it’s just a few emails back and forth. If it’s a multi-episode gear series, the guest typically uploads hundreds of photos to a Dropbox link I send them, which I download and have ready for the interview.
Being prepared is crucial, but I also believe you shouldn’t be over-prepared and know every single answer before the guest speaks. It’s important not to talk over them or just wait to tell your story as soon as they finish. It takes practice, and while I’m not an expert, I strive to improve with every interview.
Podcasting Tools/Stoftware
How do you record your episodes? Discuss your favorite podcasting tools and how guests record their audio/video to create a professional final product.
That is a very good question, and the answer is always evolving. For starters, here is a breakdown of my gear:
Hardware/Gear:
- Computer: 2021 MacBook Pro
- Camera: Sony ZV-1 (used as a webcam)
- Interface: Tascam Mixcast 4
- Mic: Shure SM7B (with a Cloudlifter on an arm)
- Miscellaneous: I also use a USB-C powered KYY portable monitor that I got off Amazon for a good price. I absolutely love it for having a portable second screen. It is roughly the size of a large iPad and folds up to fit in my backpack when not in use.
Podcast Recording Software:
Regarding the interview recording program, I started off using Zoom, but once I discovered Riverside.FM, I absolutely fell in love with its capabilities and haven’t looked back.
It offers numerous podcast-specific tools essential for recording a professional show, but most importantly, it can record local files on the guest’s computer in real-time. These files are then automatically sent to me, so I never have any blurry or missing video files.
This feature is also useful for audio-only podcasts, but my show includes both video and audio. Additionally, Riverside.FM exports a Premiere Pro timeline where everything is already synced and ready to go.
Audio/Video Editing Tools:
I edit the video in Adobe Premiere Pro and then do a mix of the audio in Pro Tools. I create two versions of the audio in Pro Tools: one is a “VIDMIX,” which goes back into Premiere as the audio for the video, and the other is labeled “EDIT,” which is the finished audio version that goes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the audio-only platforms.
Podcast Preparation
You discuss a wide variety of topics, do you spend time learning about your guests and the topic of discussion prior to recording?
Yes, I spend some time doing research on each topic – but honestly, the people who come on the show are usually experts on the topic so it sometimes becomes pointless to try and learn every single detail before doing the interview.
I try to be as informed as possible, but I also want them to teach myself and the listener/viewer like we are hearing it for the first time.
I typically always have some resources open on a second monitor while doing the interviews just to help prompt some questions.
Podcast Monetization
What are some strategies for monetizing a podcast?
That is the million dollar question.
Sponsorships
In short, you need to build a following and listenership and focus on that for the first year or two. Then, when you have built up enough ears and eyeballs for sponsors to be interested, you can then approach companies to work with you.
I have had the most luck with building relationships with drum brands and shops and pitching them to sponsor individual episodes. You can also do “dynamic ads” which are not permanent and can be turned on and off, but honestly, that got a little convoluted when talking to a drum shop owner who just wants to advertise a clinic on your show for a few hundred dollars.
Affiliate Marketing
You can also look into affiliate marketing options which works at any level of your podcast. Basically, you create content and then promote a product and then add a link in your description to that product, and you get something like 10% of the revenue. I have had some luck with that outlet, but typically more tech and makeup style channels absolutely crush that type of advertising.
Patreon
Lastly, Patreon can be a great way to bring in some money and build a great community. It is a lot of work and needs additional content but it is very worth it.
Drum History Podcast
Do you have a favorite episode(s) on the Drum History Podcast so far?
I just interviewed Tim Alexander from Primus which will be something like episode ~240, and that was a very fun moment because I have always been a huge fan.
Beyond that, I really loved the Zildjian episode I did with Paul Francis a few years back.
A favorite memory will always be meeting Charlie Watts in New Orleans at a Rolling Stones concert that was directly a result of the podcast. We then got VIP passes and go to watch the show in the front row. That is pretty hard to beat!
What can your followers expect from the Drum History Podcast over next few months?
I plan to do a ton more gear episodes and also more classic company histories. I am in a weird phase now with kids home for the summer and my attic being renovated so I am just staying alive at the moment, but I plan to get back into full swing again with a wide variety of weekly episodes towards the fall of 2024!
