Johnny Syn on SoundBetter

Session Drummer, Mix Engineer, Producer, Recording/Rehearsal Studio Manager

Hi, I'm Johnny. I'm a drummer, mix engineer and producer, and I want to help you achieve your musical vision. I aim to make music an enjoyable creative and collaborative process. For me that starts with great communication. I'm easygoing, open to feedback, and happy to make revisions until we get what we're looking for.

A little about myself:
I've been fortunate to perform, mix, and produce music for a living over the past decade. As a drummer I've recorded and performed with everyone from internationally touring pop/rock bands to jazz big bands to singer/songwriters. I can read charts, play to loops, follow a programmed part, or create a completely original drum part.

Performance rates start at $100/song. Send me a drumless track and within 3-5 days I'll give you unprocessed individual drum stems plus a processed, stereo drums-only mix that you can use for reference or drop right into your track. I can also provide processed stems + samples if desired.

As a mixer and producer I've worked with clients from around the world on records of all genres. I strive to make recordings come to life while helping you achieve your artistic vision. I have a degree from Berklee College of Music with an emphasis in mixing and audio production.

Check out the demo reel to hear tracks that I've drummed, mixed and/or produced. Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

19 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Johnny Syn

by Matt McElravy
Verified (Client)
I had a great time working with Johnny. He set clear expectations and was responsive to all my questions. He made it easy for me to do what I do! I look forward to the opportunity to work with him again.
by Bryan Daste
Verified (Client)
Got to work with Johnny on another pedal steel track. Excellent production, a really fun tune, and lots of flexibility to "do my thing" - love it! Great client!
by Scott Joyce
Verified (Client)
Johnny is a great producer and it's very good to work with him on any projects he has.
by Scott Joyce
Verified (Client)
Johnny is one of my favorite producers to work with. He gives clear instructions and if something is not working he isn't afraid to say so. He really brings out the best performances in me and the results are truly amazing. Highly recommend!
by Bruce Hoffman
Verified (Client)
Always a pleasure being a part of Johnny’s projects. I look forward to hopefully working again with him.
by Scott Joyce
Verified (Client)
I just love working with Johhny. He's a great producer. He's very communicative and we get some great results. His ideas make sense to me. Highly recommend!
by Scott Joyce
Verified (Client)
Johnny Syn is always great to work with. He gives me room to try things and is great about directing me towards what he needs. He's specific about what he likes and gives time markers.
by Gary Mackender
Verified (Client)
It was great to work with Johnny. He provided all the materials needed to make my job smooth and easy. Recommend!
by Scott Joyce
Verified (Client)
Johnny was great at giving me direction and is always great to work with. I tried a couple different piano sounds and he knew which one his client preferred so we went with that. I enjoyed the collaboration.
by Bruce Hoffman
Verified (Client)
Had a great time working on this project for Johnny. Great producer and communicator.
Look forward to working again with him.
by Bryan Daste
Verified (Client)
Another great track from Johnny! Thank you thank you!
by Bruce Hoffman
Verified (Client)
Great producer! Provided me with a great sounding work track and everything I needed to give him back the results he expected.
I’ll look forward to working again with him!
by Bryan Daste
Verified (Client)
Loved working with Johnny again! Great tracks, excellent communication, nice guy!
by Bryan Daste
Verified (Client)
Had an awesome experience working with Johnny! I added some pedal steel to a new track he's producing. Extremely well made song, and a pleasure to play on it!
by Scott Joyce
Verified (Client)
Johnny is super easy to work with. He provides the files and lets you know what he's wanting. I've done a couple of tracks for him now. I always enjoy a project from Johnny!
by Jason Caddy
Verified
If I ever get to tour0, a distribution deal, or a big time live performance, Johnny is my Dude! TALENT squared. Finds and stays in the groove.
by Jason Caddy
Verified
Maaaaaaaaan!!!! This is FIRE! He pushed it over the edge with that soul track. Thanks man. I was speechless.
by Jason Caddy
Verified
Johnny was GREAT!!! He does exactly what he says. Very talented and you can tell he cares about what he is delivering to you. He ask questions that lead you towards a finished product that I couldn't have been happier with. I think I have found a go to drummer! Thanks.
by Joshua J Schmidt
Johnny is professional and extremely talented. He knows how to make the song move and breathe without over playing. I would highly recommend Johnny for everything from Indie Rock to R&B. His knowledge of production and integrating electronic elements set him a part from the pack.

Interview with Johnny Syn

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The Step Rockets song "Kisser." We produced, mixed, and released the song independently. It just hit 10,000,000 Spotify plays and has allowed me to follow my dreams for the last decade.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Recording new material with Step Rockets and mixing a number of records that I'm very excited about!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Joshua Schmidt. I've recorded and performed with Josh for over a decade. He's talented, passionate, and gives 100% with all things music.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both, but I'll send your stems digitally because it's much easier than mailing tape.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I won't half-ass it.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Hearing the creativity of others and being a part of that creative process.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Customer: "Can you make the track sound like ______.?" Me: "I'll certainly try."
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I suppose some think making music isn't real work.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's your budget? How many revisions?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know that I'll always try my best to help you get what you're looking for.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Assuming there's power, a Macbook stocked with all the goodies, Apollo Interface, Midi Keyboard, AKG C414 and Ultrasone headphones.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Drummed for 20+ years, toured for 10+. I was the guy that everyone went to to make a record in high school and I never looked back.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Groove-forward.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Ravyn Lenae. Her vocal style would push my drumming/production and vice versa.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Experiment. Just because you wouldn't try something live doesn't mean it won't work in the studio.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, Rock, EDM
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Communication.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Groove & Style. As a studio nerd I excel in processing sounds, especially drums, to create sounds that are unique, yet serve the song in a musical way.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I'll listen to a track several times, jotting down ideas and checking out reference tracks for inspiration. I'll run by any questions with the artist before laying my part. I'm always happy to revise a part if it's not working for any/all parties.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Brand new studio in Minneapolis, MN. Equipped with all sorts of musical instruments and a vast array of outboard gear.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Max Martin. He looks at the as a whole, blurring the line between songwriting, production, and mixing. Joey Waronker. He's like a chameleon with his drum style and sounds. His playing always serves the song in a groovy, musical way.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I take the song over the finish line. That can mean anything from recording live drums, to programming MIDI parts, to mixing a song where all the parts have been recorded.