Lydia Salnikova

Singer/pianist, GRAMMY nominee

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352 Reviews (349 Verified)
Lydia Salnikova on SoundBetter

I've been a professional vocalist/musician/songwriter for 15+ years, I am a GRAMMY nominee, and I have recorded with the likes of Kenny Rogers, Bering Strait, Sir Christopher Lee and John Ford Coley. Throughout my professional career, my work has been heard on ABC, CBS, NBC, CMT, Animal Planet – and even in outer space!

I work in multiple genres: pop, rock, folk, country, Christian, alternative, EDM and others. I specialize in vocals (lead and/or BGV), topline/songwriting (bundled with recording vocals), piano/keyboards, piano/vocal recordings, string arranging, midi production and more.

When you contact me about recording vocals, please specify if your song is fully written – both melody and lyrics – or whether you will be needing songwriting services too.

Please note that I don’t offer partial song rates (for a single chorus or a hook). All my fees are per song up to 5 minutes in length.

When I compose/write for hire, I initially record a rough work tape of my ideas on a handheld recorder (voice memo). After client approval, I then record keeper studio quality vocals and send a preview for final approval. Finalized raw tracks are delivered after project is marked complete.

I ask all my clients not to release, list or promote recordings under my name as artist or featured artist. While I’m proud of all work I do, I ask this simply to separate music I work on as a hired musician/singer (which varies greatly stylistically and conceptually from project to project) from music I write, produce and release as an artist.

Looking forward to hearing all about your project and to making some music together!

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

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • Russian

352 Reviews - 47 Repeat Clients

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  1. Review by Burkay Donderici
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    This was my second project with Lydia. She was as amazing as she was the first time I have worked with her. She spent the time to really understand the message that needed to be conveyed and did an amazing job in adjusting the vocal layers to meet the needs of the song beyond what I have originally envisioned. She was very professional and efficient in our interactions. I feel lucky to have had her on this demanding project. It would be very difficult if not impossible for anybody else.

  2. Review by Saul
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    by Saul
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    Professional, On time with quality results and easy to work with.

  3. Review by Steve W.
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    Lydia did a fantastic job on my song, truly bringing it alive in the way I had hoped for since it was written. She captured the emotional, musical, and lyrical content of the song plus added her own energy and fabulous interpretation as well. Even though it wasn't a part of the specified job, she also contributed to the final arrangement in myriad ways. I couldn't be more pleased and will be sending her another song soon! What an enjoyable experience in every way.

  4. Review by Burkay D.
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    Lydia was amazing from the beginning of the project to the end. She really cared about the outcome and never hesitated to raise any issues that she saw with the original plan, which helped us improve the project greatly! I owe the success of the project to her!! She was also very quick in her responses and probably the most professional person I have met in this platform. The final result was also AMAZING! Above and beyond my expectations. She is recommended for your dream project!!!

  5. Review by George D
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    Another outstanding result with Lydia. She is an expectational artist and passionate about getting it right. Her suggestions on this track nailed the vision. Really great partner. We'll do this again.

  6. Review by George D.
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    Lydia made some requested structural changes to a recent process. Amazing turnaround and, as always, exceptional artistic talent.

  7. Review by Paul L.
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    Once again, Lydia has done a fantastic job on my song. She picks up my melodies so quickly and gets straight into it. The end result is always great and its a pleasure to work with Lydia with her amazing ear and voice and piano playing. Get ready for another job coming your way which speaks volumes. If they had a 6th star option I would be pressing that.
    Thanks

  8. Review by George D.
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    Latest of multiple projects with Lydia. She is an exceptional talent and a great partner... works hard to get the vision right.... we'll do this again!

  9. Review by Andrew H.
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    As always she is a pro.

  10. Review by Michael F.
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    I have used Lydia on 3 songs and she has been amazing on all 3. The way she expresses the feeling and emotion of a song is incredible. I always ask her to use her judgement concerning the timing, phrasing, etc. of the lyrics and melody. She always surprises me by giving the song new life, passion and excitement with her interpretations. If I could, I would award her with a 10 star rating and not just 5!!

  11. Review by Paul L.
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    Another beautifully sung and played emotional song tackling a very sad subject. You always pull it out of the bag for me Lydia on every song I give you and you never let me down with your amazing abilities.
    Needless to say, I will be back again very soon. Great Job.

  12. Review by Paul L.
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    Well, what more can I say about Lydia. She just gets me and its such a pleasure to work with her. I think the fact I keep coming back says everything. Great job yet again and we are onto the next one.

  13. Review by Austin B.
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    Lydia as always, was incredible, she delivered another emotional and amazing vocal performance and that is why I always use her. Can't recommend her highly enough.

  14. Review by kehawl
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    by kehawl
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    I'm running out of superlatives! Incredible comes to mind...I will go with that one! LOL! She is super cool, very kind and her talents will make any project much much better. She is always one take vocals for me, I'm happy instantly and you will be too, trust me!

  15. Review by kehawl
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    by kehawl
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    Lydia has delivered amazing results three times now in the last month. She is quicker then she estimates finishing and she brings a creative talent to your music which elevates something from really, really good to downright great! She has a spot on ear for hearing backup vocals and her lead vocals are always terrific! Her five star rating should be five shining stars!

  16. Review by Paul L.
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    I can not speak more highly of Lydia. Super talented and totally professional. For that reason I come back time and time again. Another great job. I’ll be back very soon with another song. How could I not.

  17. Review by Jim D.
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    by Jim D.
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    If there were six stars I'd give Lydia 7! She took a VERY rough demo and created a masterpiece! She is a professional in every sense of the word. I would recommend her in a heartbeat to anyone!

  18. Review by William D Lucey
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    Lydia did an amazing job again on this song. She goes above and beyond and always delivers. Great to work with. Highly recommend.

  19. Review by kehawl
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    by kehawl
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    Lydia is so talented as a singer and piano but she goes many steps further. She took a recently written wed done together and did a new solo piano version for listeners to enjoy. She has a touch of feeling and melody that goes beyond the song as she plays and reaches deep down to where you feel chills even! Her special sense of taking music past a chord to beauty is a gift that can’t be taught. She is the real deal and we will continue to ask her to play piano and sing, she’s a one of a kind!

  20. Review by Richard O.
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    This is my third incredible project with Lydia. As I told her, she is one of the very few musicians that truly goes the extra mile to breathe as much creative life into the music I send her. The reviews are always outstanding.

Interview with Lydia Salnikova

  1. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  2. A: In my studio, I use: iMac, Mackie HR824s, Logic Pro X studio software, Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII audio interface / mic pre, Baby Bottle mic by BLUE. For my piano sounds, I use Ivory by Synthogy, as well as Ravenscroft and Modern U by VI Labs. For my string sounds, I use LA Scoring Strings by Audiobro. I am always expanding though, and have recently acquired some guitar sound libraries, as well!

  3. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  4. A: Check out 2 of my articles published in SoundBetter "Tutorials": "Key your song well!" and "Are we in sync?"

  5. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  6. A: I was very proud to sing the part of Hildegard in "Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross" by Christopher Lee (2010). One afternoon, I got the call to do this duet remotely, without much information provided about the project. Recorded it that same afternoon. Only months later did I realize who that rich raspy voice I was singing against belonged to! It was a thrill.

  7. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  8. A: Getting to make music for a living. It's a joy and a privilege.

  9. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  10. A: I see my main job as a musician/singer-for-hire in realizing the client's vision for their project. I check my ego at the door. I bring to the table 15+ years of recording experience, rooted both in Nashville music scene and my original classical music education.

  11. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  12. A: I work in multiple genres, such as pop, rock, alternative, dance/EDM, as well as country and Bluegrass.

  13. Q: What's your typical work process?

  14. A: First, I receive any and all materials and instructions from a client. I try to get as much guidance upfront as possible, to minimize revisions later. After I do the work, I send a reference mix for the client to review and approve. I allow one round of minor revisions, if needed. Upon job approval and project marked "complete", I finalize and deliver all tracks in WAV format specified.

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

  16. A: Most of the time, I get hired to record lead vocal tracks, background vocal tracks, piano tracks and string arrangements. I also produce/program full midi recordings for some of my clients, as well as offer songwriting/toplining services.

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Vocals – rock/pop/country (5 clips)

I was the Singer in this production


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    Vocals – rock/pop/country (5 clips)
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    Vocals – EDM (3 clips)
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    Topline writing (4 clips)
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    Piano/vocal production (4 clips)
Terms Of Service

1/2 of payment is non-refundable, due to the work put in. Clients may request one round of minor revisions after hearing my work. Typical turnaround is 6-7 business days, but can also rush.

GenresSounds Like
  • Amy Lee
  • Sarah McLachlan
  • Alison Krauss
Gear Highlights
  • iMac
  • Mackie HR824s
  • Logic Pro X
  • Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII
  • Baby Bottle mic by BLUE
  • Yamaha S90-ES
  • Ivory by Synthogy
  • LA Scoring Strings by Audiobro
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More Samples