Film Composer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: -I'm working on Symphonic Metal song for my band Daegonian, as composer, arranger and keyboards player; -I'm composing, arranging and recording for my band Phenomena; -I'm starting my solo project; -I just recorded keyboard tracks for Nico De Cesare's album, to be released in the coming months. He is a serious Italian musician and great composer.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Taking part in creations.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1) What is your ideal sound? 2) Are you asking for me as composer, arranger or as keyboards recorder?

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

A: 1) my iMac; 2) my audio-interface; 3) a masterkeyboard; 4) headphones or audio monitors; 5) a microphone.

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

A: I play keyboards still over 4 years old, but I had begun composing still boy, in 2008 with my first project "Daegonian". A few years later, in 2013, I joined Phenomena as keyboard player, composer and arranger. Simultaneously I play in multiple other projects for public and private events.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: Every effort to ensure a high level job.

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

A: The biggest misconception is assuming that the result depends only on external figures (composers, arrangers, other musicians ecc ecc). But it’s fundamental that the author leads the professionals who will work for him/her.

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

A: Having clear ideas and being able to clearly explain all about the final result.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: 1) Listening to many music genres, specially big composers; 2) A never-ending study, always; 3) Increasing skills on gears.

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

A: I'm proud of "Psyche", the first upcoming Phenomena's album. You can listen to our 1st single called "Katharsis" here on my page (or by searching on YouTube). This track contains the featuring by Claudio Simonetti (from Goblin). You can also look for our 2nd single, "Euthanasia". I am the composer, arranger and keyboards player in this album.

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

A: Yeah, I know Claudio Signorile. We have been playing together for many years. He is a phenomenal bass player and very serious musician.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like melodic and dynamic way, with expression. I use technical ability only if necessary.

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

A: I usually work on ambient, rock and metal songs. But I also play funk, pop, reggae, blues, disco, dance, house in my live projects.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to bring to a song great sounds and tasteful melodies/armonies.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First of all, I write ideas on a music notation software.. or directly on the Piano Roll in my DAW. I play/listen ideas many and many times with different sounds and different notes (if necessary). Then, I record the definive idea with my keyboards... I want tracks have always human feeling.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Sounds, arrangements and melodies creation.

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

A: Composing, recording and arranging.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I usually work in my personal home studio with an iMac (mid 2011) and a PC laptop (HP windows 10). My external audio device is a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 connected to Yamaha HS7 pair. I can work with 2 different DAWs, Cubase 8 on PC and, mainly, Logic Pro X on iMac, because of different plug-ins and VST instruments compatibility. I record my ideas with several keyboards (Korg Triton Extreme, Roland FA08, Novation Mininova, Yamaha MOX6, Roland V-Combo Vr09) and a lot of VSTi from IK multimedia, EastWest Sounds, Toontrack, Korg Legacy Collection, Native Instrument, Pianoteq ecc ecc.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog and digital are powerful if we make them do what they were born for. If we want Analog to behave like Digital and vice versa, we will never exploit their potentials. Digital, in home studio, is more pratical and fast.

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

A: I love hard rock, progressive rock, progressive metal, ambient... but I'm specially inspired by soundtrack composers like Hans Zimmer, Claudio Simonetti, Goblin, Vangelis, Angelo Badalamenti...

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

A: My dream is working for movies or TV series, composing soundtracks... maybe for David Lynch, Dario Argento, Christopher Nolan... why not?