Colin McLeod on SoundBetter

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.

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Credits

1 Reviews

Endorse Colin McLeod

by Mike Butler
Verified (Client)
Colin was amazing to work with. He delivered clean, professional tracks and his communication was excellent. Great experience and hope to work together again soon. Thank you!

Interview 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.