Ash Maksym on SoundBetter

Available for remote sessions, all live and studio work, bringing style and enthusiasm to any project!

I play electric & acoustic guitar, having the ability to translate your ideas and vision to tracks. I play for the song, making sure i give you the absolute best performances, tones, and create the perfect vibe and mood for your music, with rhythm and lead specialising in groove and feel. I have a style that goes through the likes of Robben Ford, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King & Josh Smith.

I've 15+ years working experience, performing with the likes of Sister Sledge, Gary Barlow, Rebecca Fergusson as well as X factor artistes, touring UK & Europe with theatre productions and working as a Musical Director for the past 9 years.

My studio has a range of instruments as well as a whole host of amps & numerous pedals and amps for a range of sounds, fully set-up to be able to produce exactly what you envisage.Rhythm & lead specialising in groove and feel. I have a style that goes through the likes of Robben Ford, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King.

I am also fully equipped to record guitars not just at home, but on the road as well with top-of-the-line Universal Audio & Kemper gear.

Experienced in all forms of live & studio work, If you want to send over an email discussing your ideas and thoughts, i would love to discuss ideas. I will always work close together with you and make sure the end result is the absolute best according to YOUR view.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

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Interview with Ash Maksym

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That i will always give my absolute best in playing, and that i will always be transparent and open in discussion.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: If your ears tell you its right, then it probably is. Be creative (that ones for free!)
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My biggest highlight would be either between building a theatre show from the ground upwards, and it becoming the largest touring show in Europe, starting a music business in college for media students who needed original music for GCSE's and A-Levels or performing at Sports Personality Of The Year a few years ago. All as guitarist.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A variety of projects. Im musical director for a theatre company, so piecing together some musicals for 2021, i'm writing a musical based on a Russian novel, trying to finish off an album of original material whilst learning how to be a photographer and videographer
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Absolutely not, give me all the work!.... Just joking, theres going to be so many great people on this platform, go with who you like and who stands out.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both, why box yourself in with only one option, they're both great!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Creating art, being part of the process that puts music into the world.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Client - "Can i request........?" Me " Sure, no problem"
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That its easy
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: No two clients are ever the same, so i make sure we talk about everything, all wants and needs.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Talk, be clear and dont be shy to ask or queries. We"re all in it for the same reason - to make the best music we can possibly make and express ourselves. Own your uniqueness!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 5 acoustics, so when i get bored i can make a raft and sail away. It'd be old Taylors and Martins so id at least know it'd be a quality raft.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing at the age of 16, had music lessons before going to University. At University i was working with bands and then that slowly took over, i became a full-time musician and haven't looked back since!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: A mixture of blues - rock - funk
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Red Hot Chill Peppers, with Nile Rogers and Stevie Wonder a close second a third, but one wouldn't be choosy!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: A mix of blues, rock, funk, disco, pop and indie
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Feel and understanding what's needed and being able to get it out
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I am really into playing for the song, i certainly put as much feel and groove in as possible - if theres no feel, we've got nothing!!! - dynamic playing, a sense of melody mixed with blazing playing. Of course what's more important is making sure the part fits, and the song breathes.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: * Speak to the client, get as much info as possible and make notes. * Request examples and references - from other artistes to voice notes * A rough version of the piece for the client to listen to and look to tweak * A second rough version with changes made (if any) * Final recording
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: DAW - Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Ableton Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 / Universal Audio Apollo Twin Amps - Marshall class 5, Jubilee | Suhr Badger 35 | Wienbrock ME-5 Plexi | Engl Screamer 50 | H&K Tubemeister | Fender Princeton / Kemper floor profiler Pedals - a range of pedals including fuzz, overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb, filter, phaser, flanger, wah, compression, boosts, graphic EQ, pitch shifters Pedal switcher: Boss ES8 | Moen GEC9 | Mark One Audio | Gigrig quartermaster Mics: SM58, SM57 | Senheisser 906 | Sontronics Halo
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: So many to name, it varies from Stevie Wonder to Vulfpeck, from Prince records to Jeff Beck to Brett Mason to Nile Rogers. Any musician/bands with feel inspires me!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: The most common type of work i do is live performance, and session guitar work, so putting down parts - riffs, solos, rhythm work.

6 song overview

I was the guitar, bass, keys, writer and engineer in this production

Electric GuitarAverage price - $70 per song
Acoustic GuitarAverage price - $70 per song
Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $100 per song
Pop-Rock ArrangerAverage price - $100 per song
YouTube Cover RecordingAverage price - $100 per song

Im always interested in the song, & happy to discuss ideas to gain a greater understanding of you & the track. More info helps me create the perfect vibe for you.
Revisions are no problem at all.