How to Sound Like Scott Travis — Drum Gear & Setup Guide | MetalForge
Replicate Scott Travis's Judas Priest drum sound. Gear list, settings, and technique tips to get that signature tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drum kit does Scott Travis use?
Scott Travis has been a Tama endorser throughout his Judas Priest career. He used a Tama Artstar II (birch shells) on Painkiller (1990), which gave that album its aggressive, attack-forward drum sound. Currently he plays Tama Starclassic Walnut/Birch — a warmer, more versatile hybrid shell that suits Priest's more dynamic modern recordings. His configuration typically features double 22" bass drums, two rack toms (10", 12"), and two floor toms (14", 16").
What pedals does Scott Travis use?
Scott Travis has been a long-time Tama Iron Cobra advocate, using the Iron Cobra 900 double pedal as his primary touring and recording pedal. He was an early Iron Cobra adopter and the pedal's Power Glide cam — which provides smooth, consistent acceleration across the full foot stroke — suits his precision approach to sustained high-speed double-bass patterns. The Iron Cobra 900 has the reliability to maintain consistent feel through long Judas Priest concerts.
How do I develop Scott Travis's Painkiller double-bass technique?
The key to Travis's Painkiller technique is precision before speed. Start at 140 BPM playing 16th-note double-bass with a metronome. Every note must be equal in volume, timing, and tone. Record yourself — most players have a dominant foot that's louder and more controlled; identify and train the weaker foot. Increase by 5 BPM per week, never before you can play evenly at the current tempo. At 170-180 BPM, begin endurance training: sustained patterns for 2+ minutes. Speed emerges from technique consistency, not from trying to go fast.
What cymbals does Scott Travis use?
Scott Travis uses Sabian cymbals, primarily from the AAX and HHX series. His setup typically includes 14" AAX hi-hats for fast, cutting hi-hat patterns; 18" and 19" AAX crashes for explosive accent work; a 21" AAX ride for groove-driven sections; and an 18" China for aggressive accent moments. Sabian's bright, articulate character suits speed metal's demanding frequency requirements.
What Judas Priest songs should I learn to play like Scott Travis?
Start with 'Night Crawler' from Painkiller (1990) — it demonstrates Travis's groove-oriented approach before tackling extreme speed. Then learn 'Painkiller' itself for the definitive speed metal double-bass challenge. For his evolved style, study 'Firepower' from the 2018 album of the same name — it shows his dynamic, mature approach 28 years into his Priest career. These three songs cover both ends of his stylistic range.