Hi there, My name is Marko, a.k.a Arthur, and i am professional music producer/mix & recording & mastering engineer with more than 12 years of experience. I have long list of records - both singles and full length albums for in existing modern styles - from roots reggae, through mainstream pop and club music, all the way to rock and metal.
So far, i have worked with some of the top charting performers from eastern Europe, with YouTube count in total way over 30 million views. My work has been featured on MTV Adria top charts, and records sold throughout whole world - from New Zealand , USA, even to Japan. I have very consistent approach to every single piece of music i work on, i tailor my production to the inner voice of the song, and the ideas of author. None of my two production sound the same, as i thoroughly listen and search for the best way to present the emotion each song carries. Very keen on details, and open minded on new techniques and mindsets.
I have been searching and hand-picking every single piece of equipment i use, to best suit my needs, and to exploit it's capacity to the limits. I will not mention what gear i use, due to constant endless debates on each engineer choices, so you will have to listen, and judge my work by ears, and sound aesthetics, not by brands i use in my belief :)
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Interview with Arthur Loa
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: One nice thrash metal bend, on their first EP.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I am still new, as this is as international as it could be, so i don't know the guys yet ;)
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. For sound and versatility
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I'll do my best, to make it as beautiful as it can be.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I like that you can never work same thing twice. Even if it is old client with new material, it is all new to me.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: nothing specific.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: that everyone can buy some soundcard and a mic, and download DAW, and do it at his home. He can, but the results may vary.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Are you sure just what do you want :) Because if that is not the case, we all look bad.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: be open and direct in expressing your needs.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: an Sm7B, SM57 and Sennheiser HD650 :)
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I had old school beginning. I stalked the most influential rock producer in my home country for a 2 years, until he could not get rid of me. And he kept on trying for the next 3 years :) During that time, a learned a lot, and met some of the top musicians and artist around, which helped me a lot. Than i started working with my and new emerging generations, slowly building my way up, and my studio. The clients never stopped coming back for more, and spreading the word, and so i am blessed for making a living for me and my family (have 2 small kids and gorgeous wife) doing the one thing i love the most
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: There is a long list of records i am proud, so it would not rather pick either one of them. I'll just put it in my showcase :)
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Chameleon :)
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I don't judge artists by their success. Any single creative, inspirational and honest author would make my day, as long what he is doing is true and uncompromising. I live to listen to my work on my own, and to be proud of it, regardless the feedback it will get from anyone else than author and me. I need the authors to be satisfied and in a way thankful for my help to get their music sound as good as it can
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen, and never think you know enough
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: all sort of styles - i worked on reggae albums with international success, mainstream pop and club hits, and having my harder style music listening background, on rock and metal records.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: open minded listening and taking "tailor's" approach - i tailor each mix and production to the song's need. I never work the same way twice, unless strictly asked to.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I tend to find the hidden idea and the inner voice of a song, and to emphasize it in all it's beauty.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to hear a demo, and a reference tracks first, and than to debate which direction my work should go. I always mix one take alone, without presenting it until the point i am satisfied. Than i send it to a artist, and perfectly fine with redoing it by the scratch, if author thinks that i missed a point. But if after a couple of mix repairs we are still not getting anywhere near each one's satisfaction, i am willing to let it go, free of charge.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use a lot of different gear, in hybrid way setup (both analogue and old digital outboard) incorporated into DAW with great selection of plug-ins. I am intentionally avoiding brands, because i want you to LISTEN and then judge my work by sound, and not by brands.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My favorite producers are : Nigel Godrich (on everything), Rick Rubin (on attitude and band-based approach), Brian Eno (on diversity and creativity in sound aesthetics)
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I mainly do mixing and mastering, but occasionally, (music dependent) i do whole productions, with lyrics/arrangement/composition interventions. If i find something inspiring, i do give production-wise advises, and if i feel that we are on the same plane, i go deeper into things. But i am perfectly capable to commit myself on any kind of material, regardless my personal taste and values. I never judge authors, nor disrespect any wish and requirement.
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $200 per song
- ProducerContact for pricing
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Live drum trackContact for pricing
- EditingAverage price - $50 per track
- Time alignment - QuantizingAverage price - $50 per track
- Live SoundAverage price - $300 per concert
I allow as many revisions as we are going somewhere. I mix first version in first evening after receiving the project. Additional costs may include additional editing of the project, in case needed
- all the good stuff from all ages :)
