Shane O'Malley Firek on SoundBetter

Producer, mixing engineer, guitarist, songwriter and much more! Back home in Detroit, Michigan after spending a decade in New York City and Los Angeles. I've been producing for about a year and bring all of my experience as a frontman, singer-songwriter and "tone zone" guru to the table. I love writing lyrics, top-line and finding "that sound".

I LOVE GOOD COMMUNICATION! If something is going to be late or I need something, I like to be extremely clear and transparent. NO ghosting!

Need production? I LOVE all sorts of music, specializing in folk and pop. I also like thinking outside the box and trying to find those special moments that make or break great music. When you bring your work tape to me, we will go over the lyrics, melody and structure to make sure its in a good place. Then, we start building.

Need mixing or mastering? I won't stop until your track sounds EXACTLY how it needs to sound. Sharing a rough mix and letting me know what you want from the start will help so much. Reference tracks you have in mind are also SUPER helpful. I have no edit limit.

Need songwriting (lyrics, topline, etc)? I can't express how much I love taking a song from work tape to post-production, and getting those words and melodies right is THE foundation for quality music. I've written over one hundred songs. Please give me reference tracks and I can focus on melodies similar to these tracks. I have a bachelor's in Creative Writing, so lyrics are second nature.

Need guitar or bass? I've spent the past decade in the biggest music cities in the world and learned quick what it takes to be efficient and elegant at the same time. Let me get you to the "tone zone".

Click the green button to contact me, let's chat!

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

8 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Shane O'Malley Firek

by Sarah C.
Verified
Shane did a great job with mastering my tracks! He had prompt communication and seems to love what he does.
by Robert Guess
Shane is a fantastic producer and great collaborator. We've been working together this year and it's amazing how quickly Shane 'gets' a song and can bring a rough musical idea to life. He's authentic and super talented as both a musician and producer, bringing his A game to every project. Highly recommend working with him...
by Michael I.
Shane is a pro. I worked with him on a project and it was super easy to collaborate with him digitally. We were able to write, mix and master a commercial ready track within a few days. He's a super talented musician and I highly recommend him to anyone who's looking for a collaborator.
by Scott Interrante
I worked on a project with Shane composing a track for a commercial. He was quick, efficient, and great! Awesome collaborator and musician
by Lesley Goldberg
I've had the pleasure of writing and working with Shane. He is a super kind soul who brings his A game every time to the table. His instincts are spot on with the musical skills to take the project to its highest level. I look forward to making more music with this talented soul.
by Certain Self
Shane is the man! A super insightful, creative, and thoughtful producer/engineer. Everything he does sounds SWEET. Hit him up!!
by Cherie Gullerud
Shane is the real deal: he's wonderful to work with - calm and knowledgeable and very talented! He can cover a lot of ground on multiple fronts and he has a network of seasoned musicians on call to beef up an arrangement. We've worked together on a couple of songs and I can't wait to do more. Don't call him, because then he will be too busy to work with ME!
by cinder ernst
Shane "made" a trailer track with and for me. Not only is Shane an off the hook sound designer...he was dependable and communicative which I highly value.

Interview with Shane O'Malley Firek

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will always be communicative!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: The first melodic idea that you think works is probably the best.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I guess it depends on the song, but I try to bring something unexpected every time.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I need to know the person I'm working with, so I love a zoom or phone call. This is the core of everything, to understand how the client wants the song to do for them, as it's their baby. I listen to the song a ton and try to find interesting, original ways to enhance the song. Then I get to work. If I'm co-writing, I try to work as fast as I can to get everything in a good place as a bed. Then I can rest on the melody and structure for a few days before wrapping.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My recording rig is essentially an Apollo Quad X (along with a large amount of Universal Audio plug-ins) into a MacBook Pro that has been super souped up. I record in a spare bedroom, so most of my acoustic sonics are developed via plug ins. I have acoustically treated this room to get it as tight as possible with homemade panels.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I'm super inspired by Cass McCombs, HAIM, The Replacements and Jeff Tweedy. In regards to production, I love Ariel Reichstadt, John Congleton and Tony Berg among a ton of others.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Production, mixing and songwriting.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Folk, indie, pop, Americana, yada yada
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Coming from no formal musical training and understanding how impulse decisions make great music.

Robert Guess Feat. Turner Porter

I was the Producer, Mixing Engineer, Guitarist and Background Vocalist in this production

ProducerAverage price - $250 per song
Mixing EngineerAverage price - $150 per song
Mastering EngineerAverage price - $80 per song
Songwriter - LyricAverage price - $125 per song
Top line writer (vocal melody)Average price - $125 per song
Acoustic GuitarAverage price - $100 per song
Bass ElectricAverage price - $70 per song

I am open to unlimited edits to get your track where you want it. Turn-around is typically 3 days depending on workload and service, I will communicate if longer.