Drum Gear

Vater Drumsticks and Accessories

My relationship with Vater goes back to 1991 and the Vater family is like family to me. Of course, they also make the best feeling, strongest, most consistent sticks on the market. I use the Classics 8D Jazz and it is by far my favorite stick they've ever made. It's a 7A grip with a long taper and an acorn tip. It has a super fast response while being totally controllable. Check it out here: https://www.vater.com/#!/product/981841

I also use Vater WireTap retractable brushes, the Vintage Bomber bass drum beater, Buzz Kill mufflers, Vater wood beaters, the Tacky Sack, and... you get the idea. #switchtovater

Sabian Cymbals

I'm entering my fourth decade playing Sabian. My long-time setup consists of a 22" or 24" Artisan medium on the right, a 22" Artisan thin or an 18" HH Prototype on the left, 15" Artisan Thin Hats, a prototype 22" Artisan Flat Ride or an early prototype of the 18" Royalty Flat Ride, and a 20" HHX China. I LOVE these cymbals! https://sabian.com/artist/jim-mola/

Aquarian Drumheads

I glanced down at my drums one day some years ago and realized that "let me just check out this one Aquarian head" had turned into having Aquarian heads on almost all of my drums. I made the full switch that day and my drums have never sounded or felt better. On my main set I use Jack DeJohnette heads on the snare and bass drum and Texture Coated heads on the toms with Classic Clears on the resonant side. For other styles I use Texture Coated or Deep Vintage II on toms and bass drums and Jacks or Texture Coated with Power Dots for snares.

Humes & Berg Cases

The only cases I trust to protect my drums on the streets of New York City! I've been using them since I started out - all my old fiber cases that I bought at Frank Ippolito's Percussion Center and Manny's on 48th Street were H&B. The Berg family are wonderful people and industry legends, and they make world class products. https://humesandberg.com/wp-content/grand-media/image/JIM-MOLA.png

Prologix Practice Pads

I am a practice pad fanatic, I admit it. I've tried them all. To me, if a pad doesn't make you want to be on it constantly then why bother? At PASIC2019 I had the opportunity to teach some lessons on a Prologix Practikit and I was knocked out by the feel and the build quality. My go-to pad is the Russ Miller ALLN1, with three playing surfaces, including a brush layer, and a raised rim. It sits in a stand, on a table or drops into your snare drum like a glove. I also use the Thunderkick, their almost silent bass drum pad. A great company of great people with beautiful, smart designs that feel amazing and are built to last. #practiceproud https://prologixpercussion.com/pages/artists

Cympad Optimizers

While visiting the Sabian factory someone asked if I had ever checked out Cympad. I hadn't, so I was given a demo on the spot. I was stunned at what a difference they made over traditional felt pads. The cymbals came back to life! When I got home I threw out my felts, ordered a starter pack and my relationship with this great company started soon after. I use the Optimizers, Undertones (check these out - seriously) and The Shark snare muffler.

CacSac Gigbags

Ed Caccavale is a wonderful drummer with a resume a mile long. He also makes the best leather bags anywhere. http://www.cacsacgigbags.com/

Gear Purchases

All of the gear that I use and recommend to students can be seen and purchased on my lessonsquad.com page: https://www.lessonsquad.com/jim-mola

Studio Gear

Additional Information

Like most of the world I've been using Apple computers since I started making music in my own space. These days I'm using a late model iMac with maxed out RAM and it does everything I ask it to do.

I started out using MOTU's Performer back in the old days while producing spots for radio syndication, and moved to Digital Performer when that became available. It's a great program. But as more and more of the jingle houses with whom I was working started using Logic, I made that switch and have never looked back. I still keep a copy of DP and Pro Tools handy, but Logic really does it all.

I use the Universal Audio Apollo, a 6176 channel strip and a ton of their amazing plugins, as well as plugins by Waves, Sonnox, Celemony, Synchro Arts, Izotope, and more. One of my favorites is Sugar, a fantastic plugin from Process Audio created by my friend and genius engineer/producer, Fab DuPont.

I have mics by ADK, Audio-Technica, Shure, sE Electronics, Blue, and - thanks to my friends - mics by Neumann, Telefunken, Coles, RCA and many more are always just a phone call away.