I'm a composer and music producer running my own studio in Johannesburg, South Africa. If you are looking for someone who can take your music from idea to complete I'm your guy. Most of my work is for film and media, but I also produce artists and bands. Please tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
My goal is always to get the best possible results for your productions - I believe the only way to do that is through crafting - taking sufficient time and care with melodies, arrangements, chord progressions, harmonies, textures, instruments, grooves and performances to get them to REALLY work.
As a producer and engineer it is my job to facilitate this process so that you can express yourself authentically. I always make sure that we create a safe and pleasant environment that fosters trust and creativity. I like spend quite a bit of time with artists / clients beforehand discussing goals, processes, projects requirements etc to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
I have a network of world class musicians that I can draw on if required, but I’m equally comfortable working with virtual instruments depending on the requirements for the project.
Average Pricing:
Cost per song shown in the following format:
Single | EP (up to 6 songs) | Album (7 songs and above)
Music Production: (in the box, using virtual instruments): $300 | $250 | $200
Music Production: (full instrumentals): $450 | $400 | $350 (excludes session & studio fees)
Mixing: $200 | $150 | $125
Podcasts and voice-over productions: $100 per hour
General audio editing/repair/cleaning/ comping: $75 per hour
Send me a note through the contact button above.
5 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client
Endorse Markus Root
check_circleVerifiedMarkus delivered excellent work again! The backing tracks are very accurate with excellent attention to detail
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Excellent production of backing tracks in Ableton, and configuration of live sets. Awesome!
I play in a 2-piece band. We make extensive use of Ableton Live in our setup. Markus has been absolutely brilliant in creating backing tracks for us in Live and configuring our Live environment to perform exactly the way we need it to, which has opened up possibilities for us that we simply were unaware of. He has also been excellent in providing assistance with mixing and getting our sound strategy right. Markus has a great work ethic and is a perfectionist in what he does, I strongly recommend him!
I have been working with Markus as a sound engineer and studio manager for just over a year now, and I cannot say enough positive words about this incredible professional! He is extremely talented, always goes the extra mile and is an absolute pleasure to work with. His work is of a high quality and he is always finding ways to improve on an already excellent product. In addition to professional artists, I bring many young graduates and students to Markus, and he always treats them with kindness and professionalism
We loved working with Markus. We spent a day working with him at his studio - his professionalism, calm energy and willingness to go the extra mile was just incredible. We will definitely be back!
Interview with Markus Root
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently did a 12 part radio drama with a company called Bloom & Stone. We recorded a cast of 9 voice actors, composed and produced the music, added sound effects, atmospheres & foley and did the editing, mixing and mastering. We're all proud of the results and I really enjoyed working with the rest of the team.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am creating backing tracks for a cover band called Heir of the Dog that I do regular work with.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Danny Helsing is a musician / producer / sound engineer that I have worked with before. He's great to work with and he know's his stuff.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital is way more convenient to use than analog, and the difference in sound quality is pretty much a thing of the past.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will always have good coffee in the studio.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Q - Where do you get your coffee?
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Here are a few: What music do you listen to a lot? What are your favourite movies. What are your favourite books. What is the emotion and message you are trying to convey with you song / music. Describe your sound using the names of only two other artists (i.e. Nick Cave meets The Chainsmokers, or A blend between Black Sabbath and The Beetles). How do you like your coffee? Describe your music using the personality of someone famous (i.e. I want my music to be like Al Pacino in Scarface or I want my songs to sound like something Harley Quinn would listen to.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be prepared to answer many, many questions - communication is super important and there has to be a lot of trust for us to produce music that is authentic and honest. Also be willing to ask just as many questions. Please don't get between me and my coffee.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love working with sound. I love creating music. I love the process of collaborating and coming up with things that didn't exist before. Music is real magic.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it's all about inspiration and not hard work. That it's all about technical stuff (like what mic's or compressors you own), and less about the personal interactions you have while you're on the journey.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My laptop, an sm57 mic, a decent set of monitors, my guitar, a weighted keyboard and an espresso machine (I know, that's 6, but I can't do without my coffee ;)
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started my career playing guitar in church bands and making recordings on four track tape recorders. This was in the early 90's - a very exciting (and even revolutionary) time in the music world. I believe a part of me will always be trying to recreate the feeling that I had when listening to the grunge bands of the time - even if it's not in the same way and using the same instruments.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Organic meets electronic, past meets future, cinematic, emotional, melancholic.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: You.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Get it right when you're recording. Never fix it in the mix...
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Cinematic
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Authenticity, heart, soul, emotion and groove - even the slowest ballad should have some kind of groove.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like gathering us much information as I can to start off a project to make sure we're all on the same page. This usually means asking lots of questions about the vision for the project. From there it really depends on the project. I also like working with lots of references. When we're recording I find it's very important to create an environment where the artist feels comfortable so I make it a point to foster relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I recently set up a purpose built studio at home that consists of a treated live room, dedicated vocal booth and a control room. I work on Mac using Ableton Live, but I can also work in Logic if that's required. I have everything required for making pro level recordings. If there's anything I don't have I can source / rent that for the duration of the project.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Brian Eno, Flood, Michael Brauer, Mark Ronson
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Music production for film and media, artists and bands. Mixing. Voice over recordings & audio editing. Sound Design & Audio Branding. Podcast Production.
I was the Composer and Producer in this production
- ProducerAverage price - $300 per song
- Film ComposerAverage price - $150 per minute
- Full instrumental productionAverage price - $300 per song
- Track minus top-lineAverage price - $150 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $150 per song
- Recording StudioAverage price - $350 per day
- YouTube Cover RecordingAverage price - $200 per song
24hr response time | fees will vary based on scope of work | typical turn-around for full track - 14 days | 2 - 3 revisions on mixes | additional revisions or faster lead times available for a fee
- Ólafur Arnalds
- Frou Frou
- Emmit Fenn
- I mostly work in the box and I have everything required to make world class
- high fidelity recordings. I can also source / rent items I don't have if we need them for your project.
I am happy to discuss discounted rates for multiple tracks, bulk, or repeat work.
- New profile, experienced creatorFeb 17, 2022
Welcome to my profile - please have a look around and feel free to ask any questions you have by using the "Contact" button above. SoundBetter only allows one audio reference for new providers, but I can send you more if you let me know.
Thanks & talk soon
Markus
