How to Sound Like Matt Greiner — Drum Gear & Setup Guide | MetalForge
Replicate Matt Greiner's August Burns Red drum sound. Gear list, settings, and technique tips to get that signature tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What snare does Matt Greiner use?
Matt Greiner uses a Mapex Black Panther Snare — a 14" x 6.5" maple shell snare from his Mapex Black Panther Design Lab kit, endorsed since 2016. The maple shell delivers warmth and crack suited to both metalcore aggression and ghost-note sensitivity.
Does Matt Greiner use double bass?
Yes. Matt uses a DW 9000 Series Double Pedal for the intricate kick patterns throughout August Burns Red's catalog. His kick patterns often lock with guitar riffs rather than running continuous 16ths.
How does Matt Greiner incorporate jazz into metalcore?
Primarily through ghost notes, dynamic control, and cymbal voicing. He layers left-hand ghost notes beneath metalcore grooves and uses the ride cymbal for texture rather than just keeping time — both techniques borrowed from jazz vocabulary.
What cymbals does Matt Greiner use?
Matt Greiner plays Paiste cymbals, primarily from the Formula 602 series, endorsed since 2016. These provide the brightness needed to cut through heavy guitar while offering the overtone complexity his dynamic playing demands.
Is Matt Greiner self-taught?
Matt started playing young and is largely self-taught, though he cites jazz drummers as major influences on his approach to dynamics and texture. His formal music education background informs his compositional approach to drum parts.