Chad Martin on SoundBetter

I would love to collaborate with you! I have over 15 years of studio experience and hundreds of successful projects and happy clients here on this platform. Using industry-leading gear and effective communication, I will help you capture that sound you have in your head, record it with authentic instruments and return commercial quality tracks.

GUITARS - PEDAL STEEL - BASS - DRUMS
I record electric and acoustic guitar, pedal steel, bass guitar, and authentic live drums, for anything from singles to full albums, ambient soundscapes, film score, etc. Typically, we will discuss song direction, vibe, and guitar concepts. I will track remotely and send tracks via internet. In most cases, I record uniquely different, left and right tracks to create a wide stereo spread, enhanced by mixing/matching different microphones. The signal-chain is everything! I record everything through discrete, class-A, all-tube channel strips, to create commercial-quality tracks for your songs. I use a full pallet of guitars and amps to find just the right tone. I am confident you will love the quality of the tracks when the project is completed. On request, I can record a dry direct line, if you aren't ready to commit to a specific tone, which can be "re-amped" to find your ideal tone. The key to a great track is capturing the best quality audio at the source. I use industry-leading preamps to capture the purest of tone, and add the right amount of color, vibe, and glue through world-class compressors. I excel in pop, rock, folk, and country styles of music! If you prefer to collaborate and work at a local studio, I am happy to discuss details.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

453 Reviews - 102 Repeat Clients

Endorse Chad Martin

by John R.
Verified
Chad nailed it the first time. I wouldn't change a thing. He gave me several tracks - ambient, electric, and acoustic - and they worked together like an ensemble. It changed my whole approach to the song now in production. They
were exactly what I needed and more. Chad is creative, versatile, communicative, tasteful, and talented - a real pro. I wouldn’t hesitate use him my for next project.
by Barry Russo
Verified
I've worked on many projects with Chad now, and he never ceases to amaze me with his incredible playing, musical instinct, talent, and taste. He's also super cool and a great communicator. I highly recommend him!
by Rob C.
Verified
Chad is consistent and talented! He can play any genre I throw at him and always turns out additive parts. 450+ reviews can't be wrong!
by Mark Siegel
Verified
Stellar Tracking and Arranging as always with Chad!
by Rob C.
Verified
Chad is my go-to guy for guitar because he's talented and professional. I appreciate his creative parts, quick turnaround, and how easy he is to work with.
by Rob C.
Verified
Chad is the best! A+ for creativity and talent, but also for quick turnaround, professionalism, and consistency!
by Juan E.
Verified
Another job down, and more importantly, another wonderful experience working with, Chad. I really appreciate the time and dedication that Chad continues to invest in every song. Chad provides a great sense of professionalism throughout every step of the process. He's easy going and very easy to communicate with. 10-star rating each and every time!
by Marlow Gillham
Verified
Fantastic player, great communication lovely guy. Could not be happier!
by Rob C.
Verified
Yet another 5 star review for Chad. He's my go to guy for guitar of any style. Always contributes great parts, plus he's quick as lightning and very accomodating.
by David G.
Verified
Excellent guitar tracks as always!
by Rob C.
Verified
Chad is the best! Quick and talented. No surprise he's got 437 reviews. He gives you exactly what you need every time, and is a pleasure to work with.
by Tom Montecuollo (TMYGN)
Verified
It's always a pleasure to work with Chad. He is truly a gifted musician and adds so much value to any project I work with him on.
by Juan E.
Verified
As always, Chad delivered top-tier service. Chad provides great communication, delivers as promised, and approaches each and every project with a great level of commitment and passion. Only the best by the best! 10-star rating each and every time.
by MVP
Verified
Definitely will come back! Thanks!
by David G.
Verified
Very pleased to be a repeat client of Chad's. Solid professional and a pleasure to work with.
by Johnny May
Verified
Pro!! Not only technically great but creative and intuitive to get the right lines for the composition. Highly recommended.
by Rob C.
Verified
Chad is great! If you're perusing his reviews, you may notice that I've written a whole bunch for him, and they're all 5 stars. That's a pretty good indication of his talents. The reason I keep calling him session after session is because he provides a quality product quickly and reliably. Whatever style, whatever sound - he can do it. You can't go wrong with Chad.
by Simon Z.
Verified
amazing tone!
by Brad U.
Verified
Working with Chad was great! Super talented and professional. Will definitely work with him again.
by Dustin McKamie
Verified
Chad gave me the coolest guitar track in no time. Couldn’t have imagined a better part. He took my song to new heights. One of the best…

Interview with Chad Martin

Q: What's your typical work process?
A: When I record electric or acoustic guitar for a song, the first step in my process is a very basic one (but often easy to breeze right through): Listen. When a client brings a song to the table, I make a concerted effort to listen to the song, in it's entirety, outside of the studio. To me, there's a difference between "hearing" the song (i.e. figuring out the key, learning the progressions, coming up with cool hooks, etc.) and truly "listening" to the song. The latter is for understanding what the song is about, the vibe, the color, the mood, energy, space, etc. When I listen outside the studio, I am not tempted to pick up a guitar and start hacking away at the tune. Once I feel like I have a good grasp of the song's direction, vibe, and energy, I begin thinking about what particular tools the song is calls for. This is everything from type of guitar, pickups, the amp, overdrives, delays, 'verbs, and other effects to create the right tone for the song. For me, this step is summed up in a word: Commit. As a guitarist, it is so easy to get caught tumbling down the proverbial "rabbit hole," in search of the "exact" and "perfect" tone for a given song and project. I have expended a lot of time and energy exploring different tones, trying to find just the right balance of "chimey," "beefy," "warm," "glassy," and "rich." The truth is, most clients hire a session player because they trust the player to following their instincts. Getting hung up on two slightly different tones probably means they would both work out just fine. I learned to trust my ear and commit. Finally, the most exciting part of the work process: Create. When I approach a song with either an electric or acoustic guitar in my hands, I am always thinking Left v. Right. The stereo spread is one of the most important elements to a mix, and as a session guitarist, you can't just think like a guitarist. You have to think like a producer. When I track guitar, I ask myself 1) how I can best compliment the song? and 2) how can the guitar tracks best compliment each other? In some instances, it's thick, stereo rhythm tracks, sometimes it's wide, soaring lead lines, and sometimes it's a guitar in one ear and not in the other ear. Regardless, it comes back to thinking left and right complimentary guitar tracking. It is easily the most challenging and reward step of the process. Listen. Commit. Create. Thanks for reading! -Chad