John Moran on SoundBetter

Hey! I am a producer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles.

As a songwriter, band leader, and recording artist, I've been on your end of this interaction quite a few times, so you're in good hands here.

I got into production after playing in bands in New York and LA and wanting to record everything myself. I found out I love spending time in the studio more than just about anything else, and ended up pursuing a degree in music. I earned my masters in music production from Berklee in 2021. At Berklee, I got the chance to practice mixing on a wide variety of genres with established and up and coming artists (Salem Ilese, Vanessa Collier), and learn music production from some of the best professors in the game (David Bendeth, Sean Slade Enrique Gonzales Muller).

Since coming to LA, I've had the chance to work with a lot of great artists, engineers, and producers, who have all taught me a lot. I've assisted on mixes for movies, television, and music at Sun King studios (Bad Hair, Dear White People, The Lions), worked on productions at Madera Studios (Ozomatli, Mononeon, Aprilfoolchild), and worked at a wide range of studios and artists in between.

I am still a session musician at heart, and will try everything to make your mixes sound unique, and like how they sound in your head. My favorite trick right now is reamping drums through my vintage amp to get exciting and unusual new sounds.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

2 Reviews

Endorse John Moran

by Roksana Z.
Verified
John is easy and fun to work with and I recommend him wholeheartedly. He is attentive to detail, knowledgeable and easy going, always prompt and clear in his communication and a great addition to any team. Very happy to have had him on board to track drums for our album and would absolutely work with him again!
by Rob Murray
Verified (Client)
Fun music, nice guy, quick clear communication. I hope to work with him again!

Interview with John Moran

Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: For recording and creativity, there are few things like a nice analog signal path to make a track sound full and polished. I love that analog makes you commit to sounds and imperfections and move forward sounding great. That said, I do all my mixing in the box. It's a streamlined workflow.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Satisfaction
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are your references? Where do you see yourself in the marketplace? What is your vision as an artist?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know what you want! I have my own set of ears and can make things sound good for myself, but if you have a clear vision of what you want something to sound like, that helps me even more.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: One fine acoustic guitar, one condenser microphone, an audio interface, an elektron digitakt loaded up with samples, and my laptop.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I got my start playing in bands as a guitarist and singer. I started off producing and recording original music for my band, then transitioned into mixing and producing for friends. Currently, I'm earning my Master's degree in Music Production from Berklee College of Music.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: El Guincho, because I love his soundscapes and his use of samples on his album, and on Rosalia's "El Mal Querer."
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Finish projects! That's the most important tip I have. If you don't finish projects, they won't take you anywhere.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work on a wide range of music, but my home, stylistically, is Indie music, from indie funk and pop to electronic to acoustic singer-songwriter-style music.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: For mixing, most of my work takes place in the box. I use Pro Tools, and will bounce tracks to tape if I think the sound needs it. I record guitar and synth at home, and record out of another studio for vocals and larger sessions.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Mark Ronson, Dangermouse, El Guincho
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I am a producer and mix engineer. As a producer, I arrange and write parts, hire musicians, and play whatever parts I need to. As a mix engineer, I take fully produced and arranged songs and I make them sound polished and finished and ready to be mastered. It's not just important that every instrument be heard clearly, but that the song also has a sense of life and movement from start to finish.