I have decades of full time, professional audio experience with some of the biggest names in music: Randy Bachman/B.T.O., Neil Young, Strange Advance, Long John Baldry, DOA, etc. These days I work from a small home studio, up in some remote Canadian mountains. I'm interested in sound design, soundtracks, ambient and electronic scores..
Aside from my work for award winning musical artists, I have also done quite a bit of work doing sound design for short films, commercials, etc.
Subtlety... that's what I'm interested in.
Delicate, intimate sonic expression in many directions
Soundtracks - Sound Design - Mood Sculpture
Also completely fluent in ...studio engineering, producing, programming, mixing, mastering, arranging, etc.
This is where my current interest lies.
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Credits
Interview with Will Chapman
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Sound design for a vintage style television campaign for a very exclusive real estate development. I got to hire A List jazz players, and work the best equipped studio in Vancouver. I took a very difficult direction for the session, recording live, with one, stereo microphone. The satisfaction came when the project was finished and the client was thrilled (because the session was being mixed as we recorded it) I composed and arranged the music and picked the players
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: a self powered, pedalled musical exercise bike so that I can create music when I'm doing cardio (seriously)
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: no idea yet
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: It depends on the project - both have many merits
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I listen and assure I can deliver what they want, or will move aside so the right person can
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I don't have to leave home and get in the car to be productive and creative
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How long will it take, and what will it cost? The answer: honestly, those things depend far more on the person that hires me, than on me. It's all about clients vision and their ability to discuss it.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: no idea
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: as many as it takes - but generally I try to find a common frame of reference
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make sure you're clear about the direction of your project, or at least able to communicate about ideas and options
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A Synthstrom Deluge (the newest, rarest piece of sonic gear) and a waterproof grand piano
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: First paid musical gig at 10 years old - playing full time at 17 years old, since then, I've performed live to well over a million people. The studio has become my creative home
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: varied
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Spend some time with your ears open, and your eyes closed during each session. Staring at a screen often dilutes anyone's focus and attention
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Ambient music is what I find most challenging and rewarding, but frankly, there are few styles of music that I haven't done in the past
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening to clients and quickly getting the heart of what they need
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: a berzillion years of studio experience, and yet - ears that still work
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Trying to get as clear an indication as possible by the project's author/director/coordinator. I've found that - the more specific and communicative a client is about their needs and vision, the sooner I can be delivering files that are close to the target.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Computer based workstation, with an assortment of other options available decent upon project/client needs
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: something different every week...
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Ambient audio, soundtracks, sound design...
- Film ComposerAverage price - $300 per minute
- Sound DesignAverage price - $500 per minute
- ProducerAverage price - $600 per song
- Logic Pro X
- assorted plug ins & outboard gear...
