Scott Bennett

Produce/Write/Multi-inst/Sing

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17 Reviews
Scott Bennett on SoundBetter

Specializing in collaborating, recording, mixing & vocals, as well as session pro on keys, guitar, bass & drums.

A multi-talented musician and producer. specializing in all aspects of song writing and recording.

Grammy winner, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee

“He's the most talented musician I have ever met.” - Brian Wilson
“You sure play the hell outta that piano” – Bruce Springsteen
“I listened to your entire CD last night, and it’s very, very good.” - Paul Simon

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • German

17 Reviews

Endorse Scott Bennett
  1. Review by Alexandra Raé
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    by Alexandra Raé

    Scott is an incredibly talented musician with an ear for innovation and a need for perfection. I've worked with Scott many times and I learn something new every time. I'm lucky to know him and even luckier to play with him!

  2. Review by Ted Smith
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    by Ted Smith

    Scott is the utility player who can play every position, except he's an All Star at each one! We first met in 2013. His voice can sound exactly like John Lennon's on I am the Walrus, then Paul McCartney's on Eleanor Rigby. No small feat.
    On one recording, I mentioned I'd like a cello, and he laughed, oh yeah, I put it in last night. Another time I sent a 45 second "feel" and he returned a completed production with lyrics - we both cried when we listened to the playback. I can't say enough about his talent or his heart. His production is flawless! His services are an all-time amazing deal!

  3. Review by probyn gregory
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    by probyn gregory

    As a fellow band member in the Brian Wilson Band for almost 20 years, I don't have much to add to the stellar assessment of this one-man army. But important things to emphasize:
    EARS -- his are about as big as you can get. As a producer, engineer, writer or session player, he knows quality when he hears it, whatever musical style. SPEED-- there's no hemming and hawing, decisions are quick and accurate. SKILL -- tasteful, solid playing/singing and knowledge of the many parameters of the various roles in the studio. DELIVERY -- delivers on time under any and all budget and time constraints.

  4. Review by Lincoln Abbey
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    by Lincoln Abbey

    I'm a huge fan of Scott's early music, and have great respect for his later ensemble work, solo releases, and collaborations. Scott has always been without a doubt the most talented musical _force_ I've ever known. His aptitude and achievement are astounding -- his being able to perform masterfully on drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards; nuanced and powerful singing; seemingly effortless compositional and lyrical ability; and precise and uncompromising engineering and production skills. Scott has a deeply rooted, well-honed, and undeniable facility with music creation and production.

  5. Review by Michael Campion, Music Epicenter
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    by Michael Campion, Music Epicenter

    I don’t think I’ve ever met a more versatile or talented musician than Scott Bennett.
    I was nervous about asking him to work on my stuff, knowing that he’s written and recorded with my musical heroes. I finally did and he delivered. I sent him a crappy little work tape and needed a quick turnaround. He took the song to a new level in production and two days after he mastered it, I sat next to the director of the film that it was in and we watched the credits roll at the premier. Since then we’ve worked on more than a dozen songs and he continues to blow me away. The man is unstoppable.

  6. Review by Billy Kahuna
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    by Billy Kahuna

    Scott Bennett is my musical brother. We work together so well that I think I am the only person he really likes to work with. However, I am very wrong. It's just who Scott is. I probably feel special because Scott asked Al Jardine, original founding member of the Beach Boys to put a cameo vocal on my Carolina beach track called "Beach With Ya Baby" and then Scott took my own Christmas track "Hurry Up Santa" and significantly upgraded my lyric and played it again for Al Jardine who loved it. Al proceeded to record the lead vocal and we released the track a few years ago. He's my brother!!!

  7. Review by Frank Aimetti
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    by Frank Aimetti

    Scott has recorded about 14-15 of our songs, and the results have always been over-the-top professionally recorded. He treats the songs as though they are his own, with the dedication, passion, time spent, care and effort needed to produce a pro, ready for the public result. Scott always offers great ideas to add to original songs, and his musical versatility is unsurpassed in one individual--he plays multiple instruments, sings leads as well as BGs and harmonies, produces, engineers and mixes as well! By far the biggest bang for your buck. He is a one-stop music making factory!

  8. Review by Brad Peterson
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    by Brad Peterson

    Scott has a rare gift; he's efficient, creative, accommodating, and has the ability to conjure the part that's needed -with a surefootedness, only a seasoned professional like him can do.

  9. Review by Morty Shallman
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    by Morty Shallman

    Scott is a "one-stop-shop" for all your music production needs. He'll lay down killer drums, lock in a groovy bass track, and top it off with whatever you need -- keyboards, guitars, percussion, background vocals, all performed with brilliance and creativity. On my last single, he even arranged horn parts and lined up a crew to lay them down! The bottom line is, Scott raises the level of everything he works on, and you'd be lucky to work with him -- I know I am.

  10. Review by Richard Burke
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    by Richard Burke

    Scott's work on our song demos is always top notch! His vocals and musicianship are outstanding and his production ideas and techniques provide the professional touch needed to present them in this modern music world.

  11. Review by Scott Bruce
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    by Scott Bruce

    Scott “the finisher” Bennett Will take your ideas, melody or chords and take it “NEXT”level!!! Turning imagination into something magical!! We just don’t have a big enough word that means..”SUPER CREATIVE”

  12. Review by Todd Sucherman
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    by Todd Sucherman

    I have worked with Scott on dozens of projects since 1990 and he moulds Mona Lisas on command on anything he touches... guitar, bass, piano, keys, drums, vocals, production, composing, arranging....he is absolutely astonishing and has been since we met way back when. I have been fortunate to work with many musical giants and heroes and Scott is in a class by himself. He works with passion and compassion, conjuring musical magic out of thin air at will. I would trust and recommend him implicitly for any musical project of any kind! Truly a genius.

  13. Review by Peter Miller
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    by Peter Miller

    I have been privileged to work with Scott on many recordings. HIs imagination is limitless but he knows how to reign it in to make it magical. I don't throw the word genius around often but this guy is a damn genius. He will bring out parts that will surprise you and make your songs SOOOO much better. He has an incredible range of influences that he can draw from and he'll show you parts of your influences that you were probably unaware of. If the music business was fair, his would be a household name. He's also a wonderful guy on top of it all. Scott is a Master Chef for musical stews.

  14. Review by Blair Holmes
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    by Blair Holmes

    I began working with Scott in 1995. I had heard of him as a rising star on the pop music scene and jingle writer/performer in Chicago and I hired him to score 2 videos that I was producing. What a joy! He is so collaborative and takes direction beautifully. He's one of those guys that even when I think the last take/track was great, he would say: "Let me just do one more pass - I think I can get it a little better!" He is so focused and driven to make the best possible product. He works quickly and watching him in the studio is a show in itself - a brilliant multi-instrumentalist!

  15. Review by Sheldon
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    by Sheldon

    Scott is AMAZING! I brought him some original songs to record and he played, produced and sang on them. The arrangements were fantastic, playing and singing were superior and I'm really happy with the results. He was very responsive to all my questions and suggested edits and we worked very well together. He was fast and professional and totally worth the price. He was a real find and I also have referred friends to him.

  16. Review by Allen K.
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    I've worked with Scott on many many projects and can attest to his infinite creativity, extraordinary musicianship, easy-going collaborative nature, adaptability, and his indefatigable energy. Scott puts 100% into his work and there have been many sessions when I'm ready to poop out and Scott is still operating at full tilt. He's a great guy, too. Of course, his credential are top notch: Brian Wilson, Liz Phair, Flaming Lips, etc. Love the story of Scott teaching Bruce Springsteen to play "California Girls." Yeah, the stories are thrown in for free..

  17. Review by Tom Wardle
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    I worked with Scott producing my Jacqueline EP out in Los Angeles in 2018 and Scott's musical talent, knowledge as well as unwavering work ethic and attention to detail just blew me away. He really got the very best out of me vocally and his exciting song arrangements really breathed extra life into the tracks. For those wanting that trademark Beach Boy harmony sound, then look no further - Scott has learned from the man himself, Brian Wilson, and is a pro at layering beautiful vocal harmonies. A pleasure to work with and my record is now getting fantastic reviews.

Interview with Scott Bennett

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: I co-wrote, co-produced and mixed Brian Wilson's That Lucky Old Sun album for Capitol.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: Todd Sucherman from STYX's solo album

  5. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  6. A: Too many

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: Analog sounds best, but digital is just fine, and what I have available at my studio (and what most can afford), but I have access to a studio with tape if the project warrants it.

  9. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  10. A: I will treat your music as if it's my own, and give them 8 times the work for what I charge.

  11. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  12. A: Everything.

  13. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  14. A: Can I make them sound great? Of course.

  15. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  16. A: That it takes the length of a song to make the record.

  17. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  18. A: Ask about their influences, ask what they hope to acheive with this project, ask what song do they want to be remembered for

  19. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  20. A: Listen to their work, check their vibe and make sure you communicate what you're hoping to acheive.

  21. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  22. A: 2 good mics, my laptop(w/protools), 1 acoustic. and 1 electric guitar and a keyboard.

  23. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  24. A: My High School band won a nationally televised Battle which led to a record deal, then I got into doing music for TV and Film as well as some Theater work. Finally, I got into the session world, which led to me recording with Brian Wilson, which led to touring the world and collaborating with the legend.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: Fast and affordable with highly professional results.

  27. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  28. A: Arctic Monkeys. Alex Turner's writing fascinates me.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  30. A: Make the vocal 1 louder than feels right. Find the spots for ear surprises, but don't clutter the song.

  31. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  32. A: Pop/rock

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: Arranging, bringing out the hook, multi-instruments and vocals. Mixing as well.

  35. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  36. A: Expertise.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. A: Listen to the demo, make suggestions, start with rhythm tracks and build the song to completion (hiring any needed instrumentation I can't perform)

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: Small home studio set up, but connected to 2 fully blown studios at reduced rate

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: Beatles, Bowie and everything they influenced. Motown, New Wave, Jazz.

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: Co-write, arrange, play all instruments needed, sing, mix

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Brian Wilson - Morning Beat

I was the Co-writer, producer, mixing engineer as well as keys player and backing vocalist in this production

Gear Highlights
  • ProTools 12
  • Apogee Twin
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