Actor and musician Allen Benatar has been playing drums since the age of six, starting in Queens, NY. Allen has toured with a multitude of bands, from metal, to rock, to hip-hop, and is known for his studio work with platinum recording artists including Pretty Ricky. On screen, he has appeared in the TV shows Luke, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and the recent Todd Bartoo action drama Killing Joan. Allen recently made the switch to Audix for his live shows and studio sessions, and he stopped by to tell us why.

1. How did you get your start as an artist?

I started playing the drums when I was around 10 years old in school plays (some aired on TV) and got my first drum kit when I was 13.

When I turned 15, I was in my first band (metal band from Queens, NY) and had a successful run of touring the country plus Canada with National Acts from 1997-2007. When the band split, I immediately moved to Boston, MA to join a metal band out there. The band was really successful and also opened for and toured with national metal acts such as In Flames, Lamb Of God, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Unearth, Born Of Osiris... I left the band around 2009 and moved out to Miami, Florida where I worked with platinum recording artist Baby Blue & Pretty Ricky, along with a couple of rock bands in the area. About five years later, I moved to Los Angeles to also pursue acting (totally random) and have had a ton of fun and some success with commercials, TV appearances, film and some reality TV shows. I currently work with a few up and coming pop artists (18 year old recording artist from Arizona Olivia Panacci www.OliviaPanacci.com and 16 year old recording artist from Sacramento Jessica Baio www.JessicaBaio.com) and I continue to post drum videos on YouTube and Instagram.

My current band metal band is called VURE. We are a hardworking, dedicated group of brothers from different mothers who love to write music and have a good time. We will be releasing a ton of music in the coming months and plan on recording a new album, releasing new music videos, and we have some show announcements soon!

2. How did you hear about Audix? 

I heard about Audix from a good friend and producer named Shock who also works pro audio at Sam Ash in Hollywood! He actually ordered all of my equipment and set up my system as well.

3. What Audix mics are you using currently?
I'm currently using the DP7 on my custom DW drum kit. I use them to record audio (for different artists) and music videos for social media.

4. What was the impetus for switching from the mics you were using previously?
Nothing was working or sounding up to par with what I needed.

5. Any noticeable results?
Audix mics are insane. I'm not just saying it to say it. I was blown away by the sound the first day I had them setup, even before it was fully setup/mixed on my laptop!

6. What are your favorite features of the mics you're using?
Plug and play. Ease of use, and they never fall off of my drums even if I occasionally smack them with the sticks!

7. Have the Audix mics helped solve any particular challenges for you?
Audix mics have made my life much easier by not having to worry about what my drums will sound like when recording (or in a live setting). My challenge was always getting a good sound (especially for my kick drum) and I no longer have that issue.

8. Any special tips to share on how to use the mics?
Have someone SOLID set them up for you if you don't know what you're doing. Get a good setup, because mic direction is key.

For more on Allen Benatar, visit his website at www.AllenBenatar.com or follow him online at:

www.YouTube.com/AllenBenatar
www.instagram.com/AllenBenatar
www.twitter.com/AllenBenatar
www.facebook.com/AllenBenatar
www.imdb.com/name/nm5656731

For more on VURE, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/VUREOFFICIAL/
https://www.instagram.com/vureofficial/
https://twitter.com/vureofficial
https://soundcloud.com/vureofficial