Ryan Ellery on SoundBetter

I'm a professional recording and mixing engineer who's been working for the past 9 years and have made over 100+ records for bands ranging in styles. My credits include Mom Jeans., Just Friends, and Save Face, and labels such as Pure Noise Records and Epitaph Records.

I love to work on as many different projects as possible no matter the genre, size, or quality. I really just enjoy working with audio and helping people achieve their visions for their songs in any way that I can! I have access to all sorts of analog gear as well as plugins to achieve whatever it is you may be looking for!

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

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Ryan Ellery

Save Face
Save Face
Save Face
Save Face
Hundredth
The Story So Far
The Story So Far
Mover Shaker
Mover Shaker
The American Scene
Forever Came Calling
Seasons Change
Seasons Change
Seasons Change
My Iron Lung
My Iron Lung
My Iron Lung

14 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Ryan Ellery

by Joe A.
Verified
Ryan was absolutely incredible to work with. I had an idea in my head of what I wanted a 5-song Pop Rock EP to sound like, and they executed it exactly as envisioned.

Even with this being the first project I've done on my own, Ryan was incredibly patient, professional, and encouraging. I was initially worried my feedback might not helpful, but they listened to every question or thought I had and made decisions that, with their experience, ultimately led to a better quality mix.
by Mike E.
Verified
Ryan mixed my whole 12 track album. It's a rock album (maybe closer to Punk, with a lot of guitars and horns etc). His mixing style is super clean, while still letting it have the heaviness that it needed. He applied my notes in a very smart way so that it always sounded good at the end. I honestly could not be happier with the end result. It really feels professional- from the drums to the excellent vocal mix. It's just a great overall Mix. I HIGHLY recommened working with Ryan!
by Michael E.
Verified
I had my album mastered by Ryan. He communicated quickly to my messages. Communication was great and he was able to deliver the project under time. My music sounds good. The pricing was fair and the revisions I had were dealt with efficiently.
by Nic M.
Verified
I've worked with numerous mix-engineers over the past several years, and none match-up to the skill, proficiency, and great communication that Ryan showed on this project. If you work with independent artists, or are one yourself, look no further because Ryan is the mix engineer for you. Will certainly be back with more projects.
by Adam B.
Verified
Ryan did an excellent job on my mixes. I was immediately impressed with the first mix already being 99% of the way to where I wanted it to sound.

Ryan was very quick to respond to messages and adjust the few things that I asked to be adjusted. I am happy with the end result. Great communication and skilled mixing engineer.
by Chris H.
Verified
Ryan was very easy to work with, responsive, and provided great mixes for our youth orchestra!
by Sheel
Verified
Ryan is a pro. He turned around a mix in less time than I expected. His efficiency and communication were top notch on top of providing a solid mix.
by Patrick W.
Verified
I had a fantastic experience working with Ryan. He's talented and smart. He listens. And he works fast. He did a great job hearing my ideas, putting them into play, trying out different possibilities, and adding his own inspiration into the mix. In the end, he made my music better. I recommend him highly.
by Max R.
Verified
Absolutely awesome to work with. Great communication skills & super friendly. The first mix was near perfect and Ryan was super understanding when it came to my few suggested revisions. I couldn’t be happier with the finished product and I cannot wait to work with Ryan again in the future!
by Kyle Hoffer
Ryan and I have been mutuals for quite some time now, running into each other at gigs from across the country. Their work has been quite impressive to me for a while now, opening me to new ideas and is a direct influence on pushing me to get into a similar scene here in Florida. I hope one day we can work on something together!
by Brandon Downum
I admire Ryan for their dedication and consistent work ethic. Over the past 4 years I've worked with Ryan on multiple projects in various genres of music, and am always impressed with the results. It's an honor to work alongside someone who inspires the best work from artists, and who constantly strives to outdo themselves.
by Billy B
Ryan is the best engineer I’ve ever worked with, and I can’t recommend them enough. They’re such a master of their craft, but without any of the ego or impatience you might expect from an engineer with their level of skill. I trust them with all of my projects, and you should too!
by Randy Moore
Ryan is truly a master of their craft. During the handful of times I've worked with Ryan they have always made it their focus to create the best product possible. They've always come full of ideas and vision, pushing myself to be the best artist I can be. Between Ryan's vast knowledge and friendly personality, there's no reason I wouldn't recommend them to anyone wanting to take their art to the next level.
by Kurt Walcher
Ryan’s a hard working engineer that wont disappoint. Has great gear and mics to choose from to get the perfect sound you’re searching for. Able to do all genres. I’ve worked with Ryan multiple times in different settings whether it’s track by track in a big studio or playing live in a practice space and their recordings come out great.

Interview with Ryan Ellery

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I often find myself inspired by people who approach their medium without pretext and through that carve out new ways to achieve what they are after, I think there's always a ton to learn from people who aren't conventional experts in what they do.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Do you ever get tired of hearing the same song over and over again? Surprisingly no, not at all.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: James Trevascus is one of the best mastering engineers I know!
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My band (Greyhound)'s full length record was a great process. I transported my recording rig into a small rehearsal space and mic'd up the drums, guitar, and bass and recorded all the instrumentals in one day. It was fun to do a record in such a small and "not good" sounding room and make the most out of it.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A four track EP for a post rock outfit by the name of Wander
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Different situations call for different tools, it's the art that matters most.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That I am here to service you and I prioritize your vision and expectations.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Seeing people experience joy in hearing their own music be played back for them, exactly how they imagined it to be.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That recording has to be stressful and that mixing engineers think they know more than musicians.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are some records you like the sound of that reflect what you're trying to achieve with your project? What makes you most comfortable while performing?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be open and honest and what you're trying to go for sonically and have trust that I will take your project seriously and that your satisfaction is my main goal.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Studer a827, API Console, Ampex ATR100, Coles 4038, Yamaha NS10s
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started out just curious about recording myself playing music with my brother back when I was 13. This evolved into a fascination with the disconnect between the sound of the stuff I was recording with the sound of records that I loved. I eventually realized recording was a potential career options so I decided to take some classes on it while I was still in high school. After about a semester of classes I decided to just pursue recording on my own rather than seek out going to a trade school for it. After about a year of recording out of my house I ended up interning at studio for a few months before getting hired as the second engineer there. I worked there for two years before leaving in 2015 to become a freelance engineer which I've been ever since.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Versatile, thorough and thoughtful.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I don't set my sights towards any particular artist because the joy of this for me is all the people I get to meet and work with that I would have never known otherwise.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: People are drawn to and respond best to honesty and authenticity in a song
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Emo, Indie, Punk, Hardcore, Rock, and Acoustic
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Internalizing the desired sound of a band or artist and facilitating the process to make that happen for them. I'm also great at mixing drums.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A expert understanding of the possibiltles of the studio and mixing environments. An ability to translate ideas and visions into concrete sounds and presentations for the song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: For making a record I make sure every aspect of the recording process ensures that the desired sound of the band or artist is being met. I scrutinize microphone choices and placement on every instrument to make sure we're achieving exactly what we're setting out to achieve. I then make sure everyone in the band is able to perform comfortably and confidently without judgement or unnecessary pressure. When it comes to mixing I establish a mutual understanding with the band or artist of what they are trying to achieve and then make sure I'm communicative throughout the whole process to make sure I'm working inline with that goal. I keep them involved in the decisions I make and am always patient with revisions to make sure they are receiving the exact final product they were looking for.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I operate as a freelance engineer out of a studio in Oakland called Sharkbite Studios. The centerpiece is a Trident TSM console and has one large live room with 3 isolation rooms. I also have a small studio on site with all my outboard gear and other recording equipment that I do all my mixing out of.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I set up and conduct recording sessions for bands in the studio and then mix the record to either be sent off to mastering or be mastered myself so it can be released.