James Maddox on SoundBetter

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Interview with James Maddox

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: a new EP for Alison James who's an artist out of NYC
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: no
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both because adapting is necessary
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to be humble and take care of the songs you send me - I know how important and vulnerable it is to hand someone your song, your baby.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Storytelling
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: What's your timeline? Until you feel like the song is done.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: This is not a dry-cleaning service where you drop off and pick up when it's ready; better results follow when we're both involved in the music making process.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Any references? What's the story or feeling of the song(s)?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: It's best to know what you like - be cognisant of your tastes; if we can figure out what we like, then we have better prospects in achieving the goals set before us.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Assuming there is no electricity: pen, empty notebook, guitar, tape recorder, and sun screen
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Artist, singer-songwriter, producer, renaissance person. 10 years
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: A mix of Ed Sheeran and Frank Ocean
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: It would great to work with Adele at some point. She just writes super compelling stories.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listening is the most important thing between the artist and producer.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, RnB, Alternative
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Empathy
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: New sonics/sound design that enhance the feeling or story of a song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to talk with the artist about the story or feeling they are trying to convey and then match that sonically or lyrically. I consider my process open where I like to receive input from the artist in realtime.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Home studio with Antelope A/D. Multiple guitars (acoustic and electric). Piano (an actual Steinway upright). Midi controller
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Blake Mills, Pharrell Williams, Max Martin, Hans Zimmer, Robert Glasper
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Producing + Songwriting

ProducerAverage price - $500 per song
Recording StudioAverage price - $200 per day
Mixing EngineerAverage price - $350 per song
Sound DesignAverage price - $75 per minute
Songwriter - LyricAverage price - $100 per song
Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $100 per song

A bundle of an all-inclusive production (recording, production, mixing), is $1000.00. Mixing is usually a two-day turnaround time & there are two revisions to mixes on unattended sessions.