Porter & Davies’ tactile monitoring gear is making serious waves across the global touring scene this summer, with drummers from a broad mix of genres leaning on their tech for both stage and studio use. The company’s signature systems, the BC2 and TT6, are now familiar fixtures among pros who want more than just sound; they want to feel every beat in their bones.
The tech works like this: instead of relying solely on audio monitors or subs, these systems transmit low-end vibrations directly through a drum throne or seat. For players, that kind of tactile feedback can be a game-changer, giving them a real-time, physical sense of the bass and kick, especially useful on loud, chaotic stages where clarity sometimes disappears.
Ash Soan, one of the UK’s most sought-after session drummers, is among those turning to Porter & Davies for support. His credits span decades, from massive pop hits to cinematic scores. Right now, he’s touring with Snow Patrol, a band he’s worked with in both studio and live settings for years. Soan’s setup includes the BC2 system, helping him stay locked into the groove night after night, no matter the venue.
Over in the alt-rock world, Linkin Park’s latest iteration features Colin Brittain behind the kit. Brittain used the Porter & Davies setup while working on their new release From Zero and has carried it into their live shows. That extra connection to the rhythm section, he says, has made a noticeable difference in how the band locks in on stage.
Then there’s Sharlene Goodridge, who splits her time between touring with Cat Burns and performing in the Prince tribute group New Purple Celebration. She’s spoken openly about how switching to the BC2 setup, after years of using traditional subs and in-ears, has completely changed her experience on stage. She feels the kick now, not just hears it. That, she says, has boosted her presence and timing during high-energy sets.
And the list keeps going. Jay Weinberg, currently drumming with Suicidal Tendencies, is another name relying on Porter & Davies gear this season. Daniel Fang of Turnstile is onboard too, as is Tom Coll from Fontaines D.C. Gavin Harrison, known for his work with The Pineapple Thief and Nick Johnston, also uses the system in both studio sessions and on the road.
Plenty of acts are opting for the TT6 model, which builds the same tactile tech right into a throne-style seat. Andrew Marshall, who’s touring with Billie Eilish, uses one. So does JR Robinson, currently gigging around the U.S. Add Shinya Terachi of Dir En Grey, P.H. Naffah with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and Barry Kerch from Shinedown, and the reach of this gear starts to look pretty expansive.
With live shows ramping up again after years of setbacks, drummers aren’t just chasing volume: they’re looking for control, connection, and reliability. Porter & Davies has carved out a space in that world, offering gear that doesn’t just sound good: it feels right. And for more and more artists, that tactile edge is quickly becoming essential, not optional.