Bryan Devendorf

This C&C Maple Custom kit with Black Oyster wrapping in sizes: 20x14/13x9/16x16 has been Bryan's touring kit for several years and can still be seen in many of the band's most recent live performances. It is unlikely that he actually uses an 18x16 floor tom, as purported by C&C (I suspect this to be an honest typo) as that size probably wouldn't really fit the musical context. Bryan might switch snares every now and then, but that's difficult to verify. Since 2016/2017 he has also been incorporating electronic drums into his accoustic setup, which can sometimes be spotted in close-ups and heard throughout a live set.

Q : I hear a lot of creativity in your beats. They often include a signature syncopated tom phrasing. What is your process of coming up with drum arrangements, and how do you approach songwriting within the group?

I don’t really have a specific process for the beats and arrangements. It’s trial and error usually. For this record I was “composing” a lot on two very approachable drum machines, the Roland TR-8 and the Korg Volca Beats.

Q: On the new album, the song “I’ll Still Destroy You” has an arrangement that begins with electronic beats and marimba. How much input did you have on the arrangements that include electronics? And what about the percussion on this track, the marimba and metal percussion elements?

On “I’ll Still Destroy You,” I think the electronic beat is something I programmed on a Korg Volca Beats [drum machine] that was then run through Ableton by Bryce. The marimba and metal were played by Jason Treuting and Eric Cha-Beach of So Percussion.

Bryan Devendorf of The National is using a C&C Custom Drum Kit, featuring dimensions of 13x20, 9x13, and 16x16 in maple and gum. This is confirmed by C&C Drum Company's artist page.

The hi-hats can be seen in countless live videos of The National performing. This model of hi-hats is easily recognized by the unfinished 'rough' surface of the top cymbal.

According to this article that discusses the kit that Bryan uses, a Reflexx Conditioning Pad is one of the items he carries during touring.

According to this article that discusses the kit that Bryan uses, a Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat Metronome is one of the items he carries during touring.

His electronics comprise a Roland SPD-SX multipad, two Roland PD-85BK 8" mesh pads, and two Roland BT-1 Bar pads.

According to this article that discusses the kit that Bryan uses, Radial Engineering ProD2 direct box is one of the items he carries during touring.

Official Regal Tip website mentions that Bryan uses Regal Tip 5A as his main drumstick.

His electronics comprise a Roland SPD-SX multipad, two Roland PD-85BK 8? mesh pads, and two Roland BT-1 Bar pads.

According to this article that discusses the kit that Bryan uses, Vic Firth T1 timpani mallets is one of the items he carries during touring.

In a series of Instagram posts by The National, Bryan Devendorf is seen using the Nord Drum 3P. Notably, in the September 13, 2022 post (photo 4), the August 13, 2022 post (photo 1), and the August 27, 2022 post (photo 2), he incorporates it into his setup during performances.