Strings arranging & recording

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

A: The job we'll be done the same day or the day after the deal is made, with a high quality. Fast and professional !!

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

A: I mostly do re-recording string sections or solo violin melodies. Sometimes there's no written arrangement so we make one on-the-go with artist or producer by trying some different layers before recording the final version properly !

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

A: To name a few, Nicholas Vella and Swaéli Mbappé ! Killing guys whom I'm frequently working with in Paris !

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When it comes to recreate a full string section alone, I like using different re-recording techniques. Here's two of them : - Recreate the space in the room and the mics disposition of the band you are mimicking. For example, if it's a string quartet, set the room just as if you had four musicians, four chairs, specific microphones, etc... And then just switch chairs to re-record every part ! That will help a lot to get the feel and the space of an actual ensemble ! - When it comes to recreate orchestral textures, like for example 5, 6 or more violins playing the same part, I use different locations in the room for each take without mooving the mic and love to add texture by using some mutes.

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

A: Nick Murphy ! I really love his voice and his music, I think he has brought something really refreshing into the music world. I know him since his EP "Cigarettes and Chocolate" and I've always been a huge fan of all the work he has done so far.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think that thanks to my studies of Jazz Music, I got strong harmony and rythm skills which allows me to be creative and refreshing in terms of strings arrangement. The really different experiences I've had also teached me how to fit in a specific situation : I won't suggest the same kind of ideas for a pop ballad, a bumping trap tune or a fast Zouk song. So I think I've developed a good ability to adapt myself and my creativity to various situations !

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually listen to a track I'm asked to played on a few times and I quickly start recording some lines, mostly in a mid-range, like if I was a singer looking for a top-line. Then I start building up higher and lower voices around that line which help getting a more precise idea of what the section will sound like. After this pre-arrangement work I clean some notes, lines, parts, or sometimes had more rythm or anything I feel that could push the arrangement to a superior level. I generally end up with a complete overview like that so that I can show what the arrangement will be before agreeing on some changes and then recording it in the most precise and cautious way !

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

A: Tom Misch, Bjork, Nick Murphy, Loyle Carter, Alfa Mist, Thundercat, Kamasi Washington, Jordan Rakei, CHIKA.