Keyboard player,Producer,Mixer
Hi, i'm a Producer and Sound Engineer using pro-tools as well as a recording and touring keyboard player, predominantly retro keyboards: Hammond Organ, Clavinet, Rhodes and Piano are my thing. i have 25 years experience playing in bands and recording and engineering. I have appeared on records with I Am Kloot, Badly Drawn Boy, Cherry Ghost, Happy Mondays plus many more due to running Moolah Rouge Studios in Stockport near Manchester for 15 years. Very often when recording a band i would end up playing keys for them also. During this time i assisted producers such as Owen Morris,Andy Votel.Before that i enjoyed a brief rock career appearing on Top of The Pops with band Skin signed to Parlophone in the early 90’s. I have toured a lot with rock band Skin playing Download festival twice. With more indie band I Am Kloot, i toured a lot, recorded and produced an album and co-produced a song with Guy Garvey and Craig Potter from Elbow. The last 8 years i have lived in Highlands of Scotland where i have a small studio. I am adaptable to what ever the song needs and expressive playing is guaranteed. As i am a songwriter as well,i am always mindful of dynamics and not over playing, unless that is wanted of-course! Improvisation is a love of mine in blues or jazz also if needed.
Get in touch and i look forward to working on your music.
Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
1 Reviews
Endorse Colin McLeodInterview with Colin McLeod
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I Am Kloot 'play moolahrouge' album because it was a live album i played on, produced and mixed. This threw up quite a few challenges to get it made.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Finishing my own solo album which i have been collaborating with 30 musicians on.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Mike Butler for Mixing and Mastering
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To make you happy and provide what you are after in a professional way.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love playing on songs and connecting with musicians.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What sounds you like , where in song you want me to play.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be clear about your needs.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Piano, kick, snare, acoustic guitar and tambourine.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Classical grade 8 piano at 16 , one year in Leeds college of music doing classical and then degree in popular music and recording in Salford University. Joined bands and toured then opened a recording studio complex for 15 years. Recorded over 100 bands and played on many songs.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Expressive
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tom Waits. The sounds he creates are totally unique.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: i believe it is imperative that the artist can relax and focus on creating their best music, so i make sure i completely understand the artist’s goal from the onset and adapt my approach accordingly. There are no rules.There are so many exciting ways to create music - i believe the production process should inspire, be fun and sound fantastic.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Mainly singer-songwriters but have worked with Indie, Rock, Blues, Jazz funk.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Playing Piano and Organ.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Dynamics. What is needed as the song is king. Will listen to you to see what you want.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to jam along to song or piece of music to learn it and start to get together ideas.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Pro tools , api and rupert neve pre amps, lots of mics from Neumann u87,Akg condenser vintage and dynamic. NS 10's monitors and adam n7.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My favourite bands are Lambchop, Little Feat, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen. Artists like Ed Hardcourt and Badly drawn boy with piano driven songs enspire me.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Playing organ and piano/keys on songs.
I was the piano player and co-producer in this production
- PianoAverage price - $200 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $200 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $400 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $200 per song
3 revisions, typical turnaround 3 days
- Bill Payne
- Jon Lord
- Badly Drawn Boy
- Hammond A100 (b3) organ and valve leslie
- Piano upright
- Electric piano(roland and korg) Korg Sv-1(rhodes
- wurli etc) hohner Clavinet
- API pre amp
- rupert neve
- pro tools