I'm an NSAI songwriter who produces demos for my co-writes. I've spent so much time tuning and timing my own mixes, that I've become a very good vocal tuner. And I love doing it so much I'd like to do it for others. I'm new to SoundBetter so if you're looking to save a little money for get GREAT pitch correction, I'm your guy.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Interview with Mike Meiners
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I'm grateful for every job well done.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Writing country songs with my Nashville Songwriters Association co-writers and producing demos for what we write.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Kris Bradley - Fun, easygoing producer and topliner with her own production course called "Produce Like a Boss," which is ...well... pretty boss.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. Analog tuning would be cool, but I don't know how it would work.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise I'll do what I can for you.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: You know that feeling when you clean your room or straighten your desk and you just feel like a new person? ...That.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: No questions really...I'll just want to hear the vocal and the song to see if I can help. Some recordings are too far gone for me to save. When that happens, I'll suggest you re-record and I'll offer a little advice on how to address recording problems.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That software can do it all by itself. If you want it to sound like a computer, a software can do it alone. But if you want it to sound human, you'll want a human to work with the software. Each vocal performance presents unique challenges and they need to be addressed individually in their unique context in order for the vocal to retain its human sound.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I don't typically have any questions beyond just wanting to hear the song and the vocal track to see if I can help. Some recordings are too far gone for me to save. When that happens, I'll suggest a re-recording.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Well-recorded vocals go a LONG way. Help us help you! Record in the quietest, least-echo-y place you can. If you can't avoid background noise, use a DYNAMIC microphone like a Shure SM58, SM7B, or SM57. They're less sensitive to faint sounds and you can get right up close to them. If background noise and echo are not a problem, a nice CONDENSER microphone can pick up some nice vocal details...but balance the gain so you can be a good 6 to 12 niches from the mic when you're singing.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Does the island have power and an internet connection? It does? Awesome! In that case, my Mac, Logic with all my plugins, Scarlett 4i4 interface, SM57 mic, and Novo Serus J electric guitar.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been a singer-songwriter most of my life. I started recording myself a decade ago and got serious about production over the last few years. I've been tuning vocals rigorously for a couple years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Friendly and professional.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Any artist who is easy-going and motivated to do good work. Life's too short to worry about anything else.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Gain stage everything before starting to mix!! Get everything to between -18 to -21 dB with the faders at 0. Then pull every fader but the lead vocal all the way down. Then build your mix by brining up the most important elements first and then bring supporting elements up behind them.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Country, Rock, Pop, Gospel, Folk, Americana, Blues
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Getting a natural "pitch-perfect" vocal without the AutoTune sound (though I can do that too if that's what you're into)
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A natural "pitch-perfect" vocal without the AutoTune sound (though I can do that too if that's what you're into)
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Send me an .mp3, .wav or .aif file of your vocal along with a separate, no-vocal track of the song you want it tuned to and I'll whip it into shape and return it to you within two business days.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Mac running Logic Pro X, Melodyne, Rx7
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Vocal tuning and timing. Light audio repair (removal of noise, etc.)
I was the writer, player, vocalist and producer in this production
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $20 per track
- Melodyne
- Rx7
