You've heard me before and now you can hire me yourself!!! I've played on tons of hit albums from artists like Dua Lipa, Madonna, Alice In Chains, Beck, Miley, Pink, Weezer and more. Now YOU can hire one of the TOP session string arrangers/multi-instrumentalists in the world. I AM "All Things Stringed"
I am the same string arranger/musician that's arranged and played on hits including P!nk's "Sober" and new hit "Love Me Anyways", or Rihanna's "Rehab", Lady Gaga & Chic "I Want Your Love", Timbaland with Elton John "2 Man Show", Ellie Goulding's "Lights". I not only arranged strings for all those songs, I PLAYED THEM ALL MYSELF!!! Other artists I've work with include Dua Lipa, Weezer, Steve Vai, Lykke Li, Mark Ronson, Beck, Miley, Madonna, Leah Zeger, Troye Sivan, Panic at the Disco, Fun! The Kooks, Fratelli's, Matchbox 20, Gary Clark Jr, Puddle of Mud, Collective Soul, Snoop Dogg, Bad Religion and more.
Of course if you need mandolin, lap steel, sitar, or other exotic instruments I can do those too.
I arrange in midi first so you can hear what the arrangements will sound like. I record with a close mic and a stereo room mic on each track, use the best mic's and pre's and record in pro tools.
I take my ego out. It's YOUR song... my job is to help you get the best music for your song.
I might not be the cheapest, but my reputation and my credits speak for themselves. Typically I charge $250 to record a solo instrument and you'll get 2-3 different passes to choose from. String arrangements and recording start at $800 and go up depending on what's involved. As the saying goes, "You get what you pay for" and I take pride in my reputation and repeat customers!
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
16 Reviews - 2 Repeat Clients
Endorse Stevie Blacke
check_circleVerifiedStevie did an amazing strings arrangement of my song and also played some beautiful and grand strings. The communication was great and Stevie picked up on all my cryptic ideas about how atmosphere the strings should be. It has been, yet again, an inspiring and fun experience working with Stevie. My go-to person for strings.
check_circleVerifiedAlways bet on Blacke. Stevie Blacke!!!
Great experience, got exactly what I needed and paid for to take the track to new heights. Also very cool getting to learn about Stevie's sessions with some of my favorite artists!!!
And really invaluable getting to work and swap ideas with someone who either sees my vision or improvises and I don't even have to explain much. The time you save in getting the job done right fast is premium!!!
Recommend 100%
check_circleVerifiedThis is the second time I’ve worked with Stevie and it’s as good as the first. A total professional. Great parts, playing and recording.
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Working with Stevie was a great experience. From the turnaround time, to the rapport (which is hard to create online) and communication, I am really excited to release my track with Stevie's playing on it. As an indie, I appreciate getting the opportunity to see how seasoned pros treat their careers in music with discipline, passion, and make it look damn easy (an overlooked skill).
Blows my mind because as a kid in the OC, i listened to Stevie's playing all over Colbie Caillat's record.
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Did a great job on the first pass!
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A complete professional! The arrangement suits the song so well it's now hard to imagine the song without the arrangement.
The strings themselves are very well recorded. They sound rich, dynamic and brimming with harmonics and colour.
Stevie is very easy to work with and is only interested in making sure the arrangement is what you're looking for. He serves the song.
I recommend booking Stevie for your next string arrangement.
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Immaculate! Stevie is the man when it comes to getting the best strings.
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Stevie did a job done which were unbelievable good. Not only that he understood the project immediately, but he also delivered in a timeline which I never expected so fast. It's rare to find someone so professional working like Stevie. One thing for sure. I come back working with him together again.
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Stevie is an incredible musician, he has it all and can play it all. Not only is he amazingly talented, but a great person to work with as well. He gives top notch performances. He's fast and articulate on what to create. Stevie is the real deal.
check_circleVerifiedAbove and beyond. Thank you Stevie for adding a beautiful texture to my music.
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Smooth, swift and savvy. It was a pleasure to work with Stevie. Our paths will cross again.
check_circleVerifiedHe is totally awesome and he really works with you to create something magical. Would love to work him again.
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Stevie is really professional, with a really good sound :-) Everything he delivered was perfect!
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Stevie did exactly what I asked, he was creative and clean. Stevie provided multiple tracks to choose from and all were quality. I'd use again in a second.
check_circleVerifiedAmazing, amazing, AMAZING! Will work with again!
check_circleVerifiedStevie works incredibly fast and his work is exactly what you'd think it would be given his resume and credits, which is to say, masterful. Brilliant job, Stevie.
Interview with Stevie Blacke
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: easy to work with... the song I realize, is YOUR song... not mine. It's all about what the artist wants
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: It's the performance that matters MOST!!!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: 25 years + as a professional musician. I still love doing arrangements and adding my part to the songs to help make them better in any way I can!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Martin guitar, my 100 y.o. Gibson mandolin, a violin, a cello and a pro tools rig
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have any specific ideas? What songs with strings do you like?
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It's YOUR song... I take my ego out of it
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital.. I'm all Pro Tools
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: make sure your song is ready!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I've been known as "The Blacke Orchestra" and even credited on albums as such (Aaliyah). Hoping people didn't contact me expecting more than just one guy!!!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: String arranging for any type of song and recording all the string parts... You get a REAL string section arranged for your song.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Fully professional studio with great mics and pre's. Neve, Neummann, Vintech, U47, C24. Pro Tolls HD
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I usually do arrangements in midi first so you can hear the string ideas before I record the real deal. If I'm doing a solo instrument I'll do 2-3 versions to choose from
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: years of experience as a string arranger and a professional, ego-less attitude. It's YOUR music.. not mine... you're the boss!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I've worked with Miley, Rihanna, Gaga, P!nk, Snoop, Cher, Joe Cocker, Mark Ronson, Avenged Sevenfold, Alice in Chains, Beck... I'll do anything!
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Who haven't I worked with? I've worked with U2 but it never came out... I wouldn't mind another track for them.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I'll fit in any style... I love all types of music and doing my part to make your song better!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Zep, Floyd, Snoop, Timbaland, Joe Cocker, Stevie
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How do I do my arrangements... as I've stated, I believe doing a midi mock up is best for all. The client can hear the fake strings and get a sense of what they'll be like.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Love creating and making music
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: There are a TON of people I know... and I'm happy to recommend if you have a specific need.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Miley MTV VMA awards, Mark Ronson TV performances, P!nk's new album etc.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Pink's "Sober" was a great one for me... one of my first BIG singles that I played everything on. I arranged the strings and recorded all the parts myself, AND P!nk came over to my studio when I did it so she could know what was going on in her song.
I was the Arranger, live string performer, engineer in this production
- Nelly Furtado & Keith Urban "In God's Hands" Solo'd Strings
- Pink "Love Me Anyways" Solo'd Strings
- unreleased Rocketship of Love "Did You Feel It Too"
- Rocketship of Love "Rising"
- Pop-Rock ArrangerAverage price - $400 per song
- String SectionAverage price - $400 per song
- ViolinAverage price - $250 per song
- ViolaAverage price - $250 per song
- CelloAverage price - $250 per song
- Bass UprightAverage price - $250 per song
If it's a solo instrument you'll get 2-3 versions to choose from. If I'm arranging you'll get a midi mock up first before I record the real strings (Violins, Viola & Cello).
- Variety of violins
- violas and cello
- mandolin
- mandocello
- Neumann u47
- telefunken AR70
- Vintech pre's
- UA 1176
- Spotify playlist of songs I've played onOct 19, 2020
- Recent Projects fall 2020Oct 19, 2020
JoJo's "The Change" penned by Diane Warren
Legendary Bad Religion "Faith Alone 2020"
Dua Lipa's "Don't Start Now Live in LA" Arranged, contracted, conducted
Greer "Aeroplane"
Australian artist Kate Miller-Heidke "This Is Not Forever"
Joshua Bassett from High School Musicial "Common Sense"
From Spain!!! Rulo y la Contrabanda "Polaroid"
