Producer and musician

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

A: I would like to work with Brandon Flowers because he has a great voice and he's also very emotional. In his whole music career you can spot so many influences: from Bruce Springsteen to Joy Division, from dance to Gospel. That is so inspiring.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Yes. Don't be scared of simplicity.

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

A: I usually record and mix rock, punk rock, pop rock. In the past five years I have also been working on electronic music (especially synthwave and retrowave).

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am very patient. While recording, while editing and while mixing. I just can't say my work is done until the artist is satisfied and until I am satisfied. I don't like hurrying up to get to the next job but I don't waste time either.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Many artists I worked with said that I brought energy to their music. I think that is because I like encouraging musicians to do always a better job while recording and not settling to what they think is un acceptable take.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When I have to arrange a song, I try to figure what is the strongest skill of the artist I am working with. Then I figure what kind of arrangement would fit the best for the artist and I make her/him listen to some ideas I got with examples from other professional productions. Once the idea is approved, I try to make it more personal in order to make something completely new and original.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home studio with drums, bass guitars, guitars, keyboards, orange and fender amps. I record with a Focusrite (3rd generation) and AKG microphones (XL II). I use Logic Pro X.

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

A: I was very inspired by the session drummer Josh Freese, by "The Edge" from U2, Brian Eno and Brendan O'Brien.

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

A: I am frequently asked to arrange songs starting from a very simple demo (for example acoustic guitar and vocals). Once I find the direction, I record all the instruments needed and I do the editing. Then I like tracking the vocals with the singer in my studio and suggesting back vocals. Then I mix and master the whole thing.

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

A: I once worked with a young italian singer. He only had vague and incomplete ideas of what his songs were supposed to sound like. I was supposed to be only the bass player and the audio engineer but I found myself helping the artist to develop the melodies and to find the best chords.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am producing synthwave tracks for an Italian singer. She usually gives me simple demos made by her and I produce the track from scratch.

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

A: Yes, Pino Saracini. He's a professional bass player.

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

A: A frequent question is: "Once you send me the mix, will I have the chance to ask for changes?" My answer is: "Yes. But don't worry, it is not going to be necessary". That is because I always make sure to understand what sound the customer asked for in the first place.

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

A: People think that what I do is not a job but only a hobby. Music production is creative and fun but it requires commitment, knowledge and experience just like any other job.

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

A: Computer, interface, microphone, guitar and keyboard.

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

A: I started taking drums lessons when I was 9. My father played bass and my brother played guitar. We uses to jam a lot and I also started learning how to play all the other instruments I had at home. When I was 12 I started recording my favorite songs with cubase and I learned how to sing as well. So it's been more than 20 years now that I play and record everyday. Meanwhile I switched to Apple and Logic Pro, took singing and guitar lessons.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like simplicity. When I arrange a song, I try to use a small number of instruments so each one of them can express itself better and doesn't get covered by millions of other layers that are often used to hide a not clear idea of the whole arrangement.