Electro Rock Producer & Mixer

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

A: I actually never leave my studio without my dear Adam Audio SP-5 headphones. They're just so good ! I would also grab my Apollo Duet Audio Interface, my two magnificent Adam Audio S2Vs, a mic SM58 for it remains the most solid and versatile one, and obviously my mac. And my bag is filled already !

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

A: I have been producing, mixing and mastering for more than 10 years now. After having learnt classical music on the cello while I was a child and having composed and played bass in numerous bands during my teenage years, I've studied business at Bocconi University in Milan and then Creative Musicianship and Contemporary Jazz at BIMM London. Furthermore, I completed my technical skills in Music and Sound Production at BIMM Berlin Studio.

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

A: In general, I would love to work on a James Bond theme : it usually includes all the elements in music I love... The excitement, the mystery, the sexyness, the elegance, the grandiose and of course... the energy !

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

A: Artists like you come to me with energetic songs, whether it's pop, metal, rap or electronic, and they want me to infuse exciting sound, pumping groove and warm atmospheres into it. Do you want it bigger, louder and groovier ? Then you're definitely in the right place !

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: You will send me your demo with all the audio stems dry and wet. We will then agree upon a deadline at which I will send you the project with most of the work done, so you have a great idea of what could be the final result. From there, you will let me know everything you would like to change and through this dialogue and exchange of files, we will reach the best result together, achieving your dream sound perfectly in line with your artistic vision.

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

A: I remember perfectly working with Swiss electro pop artist Morgane Matteuzzi in 2020. It was very late in my studio. We were working hard on the intro song of her EP 'Inner Voices'. That was the last track to finish. Until now, the intro was good, but we don't want good, we want AMAZING. As things were not moving forward, at some point I said : "Let's just take a break and walk five minutes outside". Quiet Berlin's moon was upon us as we were laughing about this never-ending intro arrangement. We must have had fifiteen versions of it by then. Back in the studio, I said : "Let's try something for fun" and I've put Trash distortion by Izotope on the main bus channel. It suddenly sounded like the music was coming from another dimension, it was beautiful and terrifying, raw and mysterious at the same time. Morgane Matteuzzi said : "This is it, it's perfect!" And that was it, the EP was a big success. Two lessons I've learnt. One, it's so important to have some distance with the music you're working on. Have a break, refresh your ears and then listen again. Perception can change everything. Two, less is more. One effect can change it all if you use it right. I keep fond memories of working with an artist as creative and bold as Morgane Matteuzzi and I feel super proud of her EP 'Inner Voices' in which I did co-arrangement, co-production, mix and mastering. This is why I became a music producer : to make awesome music with awesome people !

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

A: 1. Make sure the music producer actually cares about your song. This is your music and the music producer is there to serve your artistic vision. He.she.they must spend effort in trying to understand what you want. 2. Give references, this helps so much! A music producer or mix engineer who does not ask for references is a red flag... 3. Have fun! :D

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is all about energetic songs, heavy beats and immersive soundscapes. If you want to make your song more tighter, heavier or bigger, I'm definitely your producer.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Here is a simple tip to follow when arranging your song : "repeat, twist, captivate". This basically means that if one section sounds a certain way, the next time your song plays this section, it has to sound different so that the song remains exciting. This is the challenge of pop music. It's very repetitive yet we have to always twist it a little bit to keep the audience blown away. Usually, verse 2 is where many songwriters fail to captivate the audience. They usually repeat the exact same orchestration from verse 1. So when the audience discovers verse 2, they feel like they know it already and the excitement goes down. In pop music, we want to keep the audience constantly captivated and eager to discover what's coming next ! My advice is therefore that, whenever you repeat a section, change the texture of the sound. If you had drums, bass, guitars and keys in verse 1, try to only have drums, bass and organ in verse 2. This will create a new and surprising atmosphere which will renew the audience interest in the song until chorus 2 explodes. "Repeat, twist, captivate", that's my advice ;)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Communication. Despite being chosen for my expertise in exciting arrangement and professional mixing, I believe another crucial reason people decide to work with me is that I sincerely and deeply care that the result will reflect their artistic vision. I therefore spend a lot of time understanding what they want, advising about how it can be done and then explaining the results. I think we have all worked with some producers who didn't let much choice to the artist and was answering messages two weeks later.... I'm happy to be the absolute opposite! I'm accessible, super enthusiastic and reliable :) I care about your music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Addiction. Whether it's producing, arranging or mixing, it all comes down to the truth that modern music relies on a fine balance between tension & release. I have more than 10 years experience in working on this precise yet crucial aspect of modern music. I will make your song addictive by optimising its structure, by shaping the best orchestration and by playing in the most thrilling manner the way instruments come in and out. Fluid and captivating all the way through, your song will be sublimated by the orchestration and sound I will create for you. I will make your song addictive.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My music studio counts two brilliant Adam Audio S2Vs monitors that give me the most precise and neutral sound, sublimated by the Apollo pre-amp. While its acoustic has been treated and optimised for mixing, the walls painted all in red create the best atmosphere for me to deep into your artistic sound and make the best out of it.

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

A: In pop-rock, Mark Ronson is a huge inspiration: he sublimated the talents of cult artists such as Amy Winehouse, Adele and Lady Gaga like no one else could. In metal music, Adam "Nolly" Getgood made some exception work in terms of production by defining modern metal sound. The albums he produced for Periphery and Animals as Leaders and mixed for Devin Townsend and Haken are phenomenal in terms of heaviness, grandiose and precision. Eventually, Trent Reznor remains an astonishing source of creativity in terms of songwriting, atmosphere and sound distortion.

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

A: Have you created some songs with lyrics and melody, are you looking to find the perfect orchestration for them ? Then you are in the same case as 90% of the artists I work for. I can do the whole process: from creating the bassline, the keys, the pads, the effects until the mixing and mastering stages. To work with the same person keeps the song consistent and impactful, until it shines the way you always wanted it.

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

A: For astonishing vocals, I would definitely recommend Morgane Matteuzzi. Indeed, she can professionally perform opera, metal and soul and this unique versatility allows her to bring spectacular flavors to a song. For killer drums, contact Amelie G. I have played with her for around ten years and she simply knows how to bring the groove to a song. If technically, she is brilliant, her true uniqueness lies in her sense of balance and emotion. She brings to a song just the right amount of drums to make it shine.