I'm a session keyboardist from Chicago, with 10+ years of playing for artists and producers worldwide for independent and commercial projects. My focus is rendering a performance that evokes the feeling, emotion, and energy of your song by means of quality recordings. The goal is to intentionally deliver music that conveys the artist's message.
Hi, I'm Freddie Banks. I've been working as a musician professionally for 10 years both live and in the studio. My musical roots are in Gospel, but I'm also able to play Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Jazz, Rock, and Alternative, most of which has been accomplished here on SoundBetter. Here, I am able to record piano, keys and synths, as well as build out full arrangements & instrumentals for covers or original songs.
I use quality gear for my work, including Universal Audio Apollo Twin X preamps, along with quality samples and instruments from Nord, Roland, UVI, and lots more. Feel free to listen to all the demos and samples you see. My main DAW is Logic Pro, but I'm also able to work in Pro Tools.
When you're ready to work, be sure to include the following info:
1. Song Title
2. Key & Tempo
3. Style/Genre
4. References (what song you want it to sound similar to)
5. Deadline (proposal will be updated to include it)
6. Sheet Music or Chord Charts (if you have any)
The more direction provided the better! Let me know any specific directions you have as far as style, dynamics, riffs, etc. I want to bring your vision into reality!
My prices are my baseline non-label rate, and may fluctuate depending on the complexity of the project, and number of parts needed to record.
Click the green connect button above to get started, I’m excited to work with you!
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
162 Reviews - 23 Repeat Clients
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Freddie is amazing I booked him 3 times and every time, he didn't disappoint. Highly recommended!
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Freddie is a genius! He's not only masterful at his gift, but extremely kind and professional. Thank you Freddie for helping to create another masterpiece!
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Reached out to Freddie to do another job, he did it within the hour per request and it sounds amazing! Definitely working together again.
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Freddie did an amazing job on my project. He was very professional and responded quickly to each message and gave me just what I needed on some piano parts. Definitely gonna be using him for future songs!!
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Freddie is such a amazing keyboard player! Quick turnaround , great communication, amazing sound!! Highly recommended!.
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What a pleasure working with Freddie. Great communication, turn around, and a truly fantastic player. Was blown away by all the great work he did on my project, above and way beyond what I expected. Highly recommend.
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What can I say about Freddie? He has never failed in producing amazing music. He is highly qualified and able to deliver what you were trying to bring to life in the music. He has been a true inspiration and I highly recommend him for any one that needs done for a project a single, or just anything he is able to deliver
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AMAZINGLY quick turnover and high quality. Completely satisfied.
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This is the first time I worked, with Freddie, and I found him to be pleasant, and paid attention to what I wanted, and what the song needed. Look forward to working with him in the future.
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Freddie was super easy to work with! Very talented guy & was very patient with helping me craft the perfect sound!
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Extremely talented individual. Definitely want to work with Freddie again. Highly recommend!
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Freddie was very responsive, patient and pleasant to work with all through the process. Thank you Freddie for supporting in bringing my music to life.
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Amazing musician! Always bringing high quality sounds. Can take a small vision and make it into a live production. Love working Freddie. Ver professional, Time sensitive and honest.
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Great and easy to work with! Super fast and good quality.
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amazing professional and fast...great great job
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An amazing musician that have a great ear to bring music to live. Freddie has never fail to amaze and deliver great work
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It's so awesome to be working back with Freddie. Just an amazing musician that have a heart for music and making sure the sound comes alive.
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I was hesitant at first to seek someone via the internet for this soundtrack. However, Freddie Banks made the entire process smooth from beginning to end. He took every detail I submitted and brought it into the track. The quality of work and pricing was exceptional. I truly appreciate Mr. Banks because I felt he understood why this track was so important to me and he had it prepared well within the expressed timeframe. I highly recommend and would definitely use again.
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Very quick and easy work, nice result.
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Another flawless song with Freddie. As always everything went perfect, from track to communication. I can not recommend enough. And I can't wait for the next one.
Interview with Freddie Banks
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Completing instrumentals and multitracks to further show my abilities and strengths while also learning my novices and weaknesses. Also, I want to begin composing/licensing for multimedia in the near future
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To serve as a creative asset in efforts to provide quality, meaningful, and memorable sound as a staple in the identity and presentation of music & multimedia worldwide.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's your overall goal with this production? What are we aiming to invoke from the listener? How can I serve you in your efforts to achieve this goal?
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: It varies, gospel is my roots, but I'm also able to play pop, rock, r&b and jazz as well, and I'm an 'OK' sight-reader too so I'd like to think I'm pretty versatile. I refuse to box myself into one lane.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Keyboard chops, synthesis, sound design, and since I've started on SoundBetter, my ear for arranging has grown much stronger
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a simple home set up with my MacBook Pro running Pro Tools 2020, Logic Pro X, my Roland Fantom, Roland Gaia SH-01, Roland Cloud VST's, and dozens of virtual instruments in my arsenal. But my new pride and joy is my Nord Electro 6D. Most of my piano tracks are recorded with it now, and it's a huge improvement to my quality of work.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Jamel Kimbrough, Vaughan Phoenix, Jim Daneker, Ray Chew, Adam Blackstone, Daniel Weatherspoon, Robert "Sput" Searight, Aaron Lindsey, Chris Baker, Rodney East, Mike Patrick, James Poyser, Julian Pollack, Nicolas Semrad, Cory Henry, Shaun Martin, just to name a few.... 😉
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I was able to be apart of a recording project for my church in Chicago, where I played as one of the keyboardists and hammond organist. It was a memorable experience, being my first live recording. I'm believing it to be the first of may more to come
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Oh boy.... digital, because VST's have improved so greatly over the years, and it beats having to carry around heavy equipment and causing wear and tear on them, although they sound great in their on right. But at the same time, nothing beats the warmth of analog sound.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: A loaded question! But if I could bring Michael Jackson back to life, that'd be a dream come true. RIP King of Pop
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The fact that I can use my gifts and talents as a means to both serve someone on their project, as well as a means of provision for myself.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don't overlook those who don't have the experience or credentials as those at the top. We're all trying to work to get to the same level. Be willing to work with the underdogs.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: MacBook Pro, Roland A800 Controller, Roland JDXA, Sennheiser HD280 headphones, Large sausage pizza
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been working as a keyboardist since 16, and went to college to further my studies in music and audio production. the past 10 years has taught me quite a lot, and I'm grateful. It enables me to continue on and gain more traction in the music business.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Edgy yet calm, aggressive yet relaxed, versatile yet focused.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Name your tracks! Save your engineer the headache!
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Clarity by means of quality, well-thought, and precise music accompaniment, manifesting the goal and vision in the mind of the artist.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Generally, I'll hear the demo that's sent to me by the client to get an overall feel of what they're trying to accomplish. Next, I'll write out the chord progressions appropriate for the melody being sung, or what type of rhythm or syncopation comes to mind along with it. I'll then use various synth leads or pads to add more texture and feel to the song where necessary.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most of my work will consist of me accompanying the song by means of keyboards, piano and synths, all tailored to the feel of the song. I'm also able to assist in songwriting, and arranging as well.
I was the Pianist/Keyboardist in this production
- Piano Ballads
- Gospel Reel
- Country/Rock Reel
- R&B/House/HipHop
- PianoAverage price - $100 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $100 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $500 per song
- Full instrumental productionAverage price - $500 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $300 per song
Turnaround time is typically 2-3 business days. Rush orders for tight deadlines available upon request. Price may increase based on the job. Final files delivered in MIDI & WAV format 24bit/48kHz
- Nord Stage 3
- Roland Gaia SH-01
- Sibelius
- Pro Tools
- Logic Pro
- Apollo Twin X
- UAD plug-ins
- Slate Plugins
10% off for bulk orders of 5 songs or more