About Me
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Mike Malatino is an American born drummer/producer/audio engineer hailing from Saratoga Springs, NY. His playing styles include Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal, Christian Rock, Pop, and Old Time Rock & Roll.
Mike has been fortunate enough to learn from and study under some of the greatest drum educators such as Dom Famularo, Aldo Mazza, Jeff Queen, Daniel Glass, Sergio Bellotti, Joe Baker, and Rich LaPlante.
Mike is currently offering private in-person drum lessons that include music theory and audio engineering basics, from his professional studio in Saratoga County, NY. His current projects include composing and recording original music and beats for his production company Midnite Media LLC.
Pro Kit & Gear
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DRUM SHELLS
Mapex V Series
Burgandy Finish
8x7 Tom
10x8 Tom
12x9 Tom
13x11 Floor Tom
16x16 Floor Tom
22x16 Bass Drum
Snare: Yamaha Absolute Maple Custom
Sea Blue Fade
14 x 5.5
CYMBALS
Zildjian
1: 14" K Constantinople Hi Hats
2: 18" Oriental Trash China
3: 17" A Custom Crash
4: 18" A Custom Projection Crash
5: 18" A Custom Medium Crash
6: 20" K Ride
7: 20" Oriental Trash China
8: 18" A Custom Crash
Alternates:
14" K Custom Session Hi Hats
20" K Heavy Ride
HEADS
Toms
Batter: Evans EC2 Coated SST
Resonant: Remo Clear Ambassador
Bass Drum:
Batter: Evans Clear EMAD2
Resonant: Remo Ebony Powerstroke 3
Snare Drum:
Batter: Remo Coated Powerstroke 3
Resonant: Aquarian High Performance Snare Side
HARDWARE
Tama
Power Tower Racks
Iron Cobra Hi Hat Stand
Cobra Clutch
Drum Workshop
DWCP9002 Double Pedal
ProMark Sticks
Hickory 5A Nylon Tip
Kelly SHU
Degrees & Training
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The basics of rudimental drumming were engrained in Mike through his formative years. Precision, excellence and professionalism in all aspects of drumming, as well as life, were instilled in him by his family and his local drumming community.
Upon entering junior college, Mike began studying under Rich LaPlante. Rich’s intense and focused lessons in music theory and sight-reading built a solid foundation for him to perform with other gifted musicians.
After receiving his Associates Degree in Music and Performance from SUNY Adirondack, he enrolled at the University at Albany under Richard Albagli’s direction. The University Percussion Ensemble and Symphonic Band, coupled with the concentrated studies in Electronic Music and Media, broadened and enhanced Mike’s musical palette and performance abilities.
Upon receiving his Bachelors Degree, Mike moved to Orlando, Florida and enrolled in a comprehensive audio engineering program at the Audio Recording Technology Institute. Graduating top of his class after one year, solidified his strengths as a well-rounded musician and trained producer.
Audio Recording Technology Institute
Orlando F.L.
Diploma | Comprehensive Audio Engineering Program.
Graduated at the top of the class. 🔥
2007–2008
University at Albany
Albany N.Y.
BA | Arts, Electronic Music and Media.
2005–2007
Adirondack Community College
Queensbury N.Y.
AA | Arts, Music and Performance.
2002–2005
Rising
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Returning to New York, Mike was given the opportunity to be lead audio engineer for Northway Church and learn invaluable production skills from production manager Dave Bookhout and crew, while also being given the opportunity to play drums for the worship band on a regular basis.
During this time, Mike honed his audio engineering skills and taught himself the finer points of drumming coordination, movement, stick control and professional development. Years later, Mike would transition into teaching and coaching drums and percussion at Modern Day Music in Clifton Park, NY.
Tasked with teaching up to 20-30 students a week, from all age groups and developmental levels, challenged Mike to fine tune a teaching style and a simplified and fun (beginner to intermediate) curriculum on the drums for all walks of life.
Audio Recording Technology Institute
Orlando F.L.
Diploma | Comprehensive Audio Engineering Program.
Graduated at the top of the class. 🔥
2007–2008
University at Albany
Albany N.Y.
BA | Arts, Electronic Music and Media.
2005–2007
Adirondack Community College
Queensbury N.Y.
AA | Arts, Music and Performance.
2002–2005
Current & Future
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Mike sought to build his professionalism with a state of the art in-home studio, tailored for teaching drums and percussion to private students looking to gain knowledge and having fun, while being challenged.
Mike also offers specialized audio engineering classes in MIDI programming and sequencing for students bored of practicing to a click track or metronome and intimidated by sight reading and music theory.
An immersive and fun, streamlined approach of taking a beat from the page, into your computer, listening to it and having a more enjoyable learning experience and practice session.
Currently, Mike continues to book new students and is in the process of implementing a new program for a streamlined, comprehensive study guide for beginners in rudimental drumming and 4-way coordination around the drum kit.
Plans are also in motion to launch a “Beats” marketplace for content creators and social media producers to purchase original and royalty free beats and background music for there content on MidniteMedia.com, coming soon.
Audio Recording Technology Institute
Orlando F.L.
Diploma | Comprehensive Audio Engineering Program.
Graduated at the top of the class. 🔥
2007–2008
University at Albany
Albany N.Y.
BA | Arts, Electronic Music and Media.
2005–2007
Adirondack Community College
Queensbury N.Y.
AA | Arts, Music and Performance.
2002–2005