Leo Testoni on SoundBetter

Let's create awesome music! I'll assist you in finding the ideal style and guitar sounds for your song. Then, I'll use my guitar skills to make it sound amazing. I'll give you guitar tone options to choose from and record enough tracks for your satisfaction.

As a Brazilian guitarist, professor, and music producer currently based in the USA, I'm addicted to music, equipment, and recording. With a bachelor's degree in popular music from Cantareira University and a Master's in guitar performance from Utah State University, I've got plenty of experience with different genres.

I'd be thrilled to use that experience to help enhance your tracks with expertly crafted guitar overdubs. Working with your ideas and suggestions, I'll record many guitar tracks to ensure your music sounds amazing. Plus, you'll get to choose from various guitar tones to find the perfect fit for your sound.

Gear:
- Guitars Gibson, Fenders, Guild, Martin, Strandberg, Danelectro, PRS, Martin, DiGiorigio, and classical and electric guitars made by luthiers
- Interface UAD
- Preamp Avalon 737sp
- Microphones: Shure SM57, SM58, AKG C414, Neumann 184, and Neumann KSM105.

Amps:
Two Rock EXO15
Fender '65 Deluxe
Marshall origin 20
Vox cabinet 1x12 greenback
AER Compact 60
Pignose
Miscellaneous:
Neural Quad Cortex, too many analog pedals and Waves/UAD/FabFilter plugins.

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

Credits

10 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Leo Testoni

by Kristopher M.
Verified
GREAT MUSICIAN!
by Sujith R.
Verified
Man ... Got to tell you he is a talented an Amazing guitarist. Thanks a lot.
by Sujith R.
Verified
He is a fantastic guitarist. Very down to earth. He gives everything to make your song wonderful. Will definitely continue to work with him in many more projects.
by Sujith R.
Verified
Leo is an excellent guitarist. He gives lot of options for you to choose with. Puts his soul into your song. He gives his best to make your song as good as possible. I'll definitely recommend him.
by Eguala
Verified
It was great working with Leo. He is hard working and comes up with new ideas always in the best interest of the project. I recommend working with him.
by Phong Y.
Verified
It was a pleasure working with Leo. He provided me plenty of guitar parts to choose from and delivered within 48 hours. I would recommend him for sure. Very professional and responsive, and talented.
by Dyeferson F.
Recomendo o trabalho do Leo.
Otimo músico, com qualidade profissional. Muito rápido e talentoso, com Bom gosto músical...
by Rafael Bianzeno
I had a chance to work with Leo in 2020 and it was an amazing experience. Such a nice guy and very PRO Musician (he definitely knows what he is doing!). He recorded the first Lead guitar in my song "Humanos" (available on my Spotify) and it brought the final touch the song needed. He recorded and played with soul and his guitar tone was amazing for that "Fusion Style". Highly recommend Leo and hope to work with him again in the future.
by Patricia F.
Leo is extremely attentions and talented. He has been producing my music for three year. In 2019 we released my single “Último Dia” and nowadays we are working on a full album. I really recommend him as a musician and producer.
by Igor Willcox
Leo is an amazing human being and an outstanding musician!
I recommend!

Interview with Leo Testoni

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Duet Paty & Leo and Leo Testoni are the projects for that I'm always producing new content.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Carlos Freitas, Beto Neves, and Igor Willcox.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: We should use the tools wisely in favor of music, whether they are analog or digital. All the recordings in my studio are hybrid.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Q: How fast can you deliver the work? A: I'm not going to miss the deadline!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Many people underestimate music as a viable profession, but it actually requires extensive knowledge of your instrument and theory to even begin a music degree. Pursuing a career in music involves a significant investment of time and effort throughout your life, and unfortunately, some may not fully appreciate the value of your work.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: If I can listen to the music beforehand and receive any specific instructions/music sheet or references they have in mind for the guitar, it would help me deliver the best possible results.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father is a studio musician, so I grew up surrounded by the sounds and rhythms of the recording studio. By the time I was 15, I was already recording my own tracks, and at 16, I started my own studio and began producing music for other artists. I went on to study music at university when I was just 17, and since then, I've been continuously honing my skills through a mix of in-person and online courses. Whether I'm working on my music or collaborating with others, I always strive to bring a level of expertise and passion that reflects my lifelong love of music.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Steely Dan. It can be musically sophisticated and pleasant at the same time.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Study, work, practice, study, work, practice... repeat!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock, bossa nova, fusion, and funk.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I'm about clear communication, patience, and doing what I love!
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: In addition to lines, notes, and chords, textures are crucial in music. Factors like silence and sound, wet and dry effects, and dynamics like loud and low can all contribute to the overall texture of a track and enhance its emotional impact.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I usually begin by listening to the songs and considering what I want to hear. If an idea or melody comes to mind, I know it's important to record it because it's a natural inspiration. Next, I'll create a sheet with the chords, bars, and significant points, but if you already have this, please send it to me to save time. When recording, I prioritize staying 100% focused and relaxed in both mind and body. After sending the tracks, I'm always open to making changes to ensure complete satisfaction. There's no one right way with art, and I'm here to help your music flourish.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I'm constantly researching guitar sounds, effects, and gear. While buying new equipment is exciting, it's even more powerful to fully explore and understand the possibilities of what you already have.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Beatles, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Steely Dan, Tower of Power, Brazilian music (Tom Jobim, Elis Regina), John Mayer, Diana Krall, Robben Ford, Chick Corea, Norah Jones...
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Some clients don't know precisely what guitar lines they want, so I create interesting guitar tracks to choose from or record the lines they already made/wrote. I would never send just one option. You'll have different rhythm/lead tracks to choose/mix.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be clear in communication, organized and deliver as many tools as you can (tracks, guides, sheet music...)
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Computer (mac pro) Audio interface (uad apollo) Headphone (sennheiser hd650) Gibson ES335 Classical Guitar
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The album; "Arranged & Spontaneous Sessions". I composed, made the arrangements and produced from beginning to end this album with the participation of amazing musicians like Carl Verheyn, Sandro Haick, Faiska and more...
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I won't be happy until you're satisfied.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I make art that will be forever recorded for anyone who wants to listen.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Versatile. I can never imagine myself playing just one instrument or one musical genre.