Andrew Ryan on SoundBetter

I'm a multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger, mixer, and songwriter. I can take your idea or half written song and bring it into fruition. I have a strong sensibility for detail and melody.

I'm a graduate of the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences. Being a multi-instrumentalist I've spent almost two decades working with countless local and regional artist as a producer, arranger, recording/mixing engineer, drummer, guitarist, and also co-writer.

I have built my own assembly of talented touring musicians across the country over the years who have collaborated on projects without a hitch. This platform will also help myself obtain access to more talented indie artists who could use a silent teammate, extra member with many years experience making records. I have no problem being flexible with rates when it comes to a project as a whole. I’m also able and willing to travel anywhere inside the United States for recording.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Credits

13 Reviews

Endorse Andrew Ryan

by Jacob Chaney
Such a good guy to work with. Andrew’s drums made my project sound better than I had ever imagined. Very appropriate and creative production of drum parts for my tracks. I’ve worked with him several times and I am always surprised at his work.
by Nicholas Piscitello
Andrew is a guy who makes three chords sound like eight. Some of my favorite times on the road and in the studio have been with him. He genuinely listens to a song and puts the pieces together around a note to give pause when needed and flight when it’s right. He lets you believe in yourself again as a musician and pushes you to explore your soul when recording, and is your biggest fan on and off the road with you.
by Joseph
This dude is the real deal. Worked on a record with him for my project, Stoker, and it came out really good. He has great ideas and knows how to capture the spirit of what a project demands.
by Chris Denman
Andrew helped us create our theme song for our podcast/radio show that set hearts on fire across the nation. What started as an evening AM radio talk show, blossomed into afternoon drive time radio, a morning show, and a successful podcast. Additionally, the comedian Luenell once air-guitared to the theme song, which is incredible. I have to think it was primarily because of the engineering Andrew did to make the original Casey Reeves theme song a success. Andrew is a great guy and I'm always happy to send people his way.
by Matt McConley
Andrew is fantastic. I recorded with him and some studio musicians in St. Louis a while back and everything from the space, to the engineer room to the ability to set up and record my own piano set the experience apart from other studios I've recorded in. Andrew is personable, easy to work with and an excellent partner in producing high quality recordings.
by Justin H
Working with Andrew is amazing. His attention to detail and organization kept the project on track. He treated my songs like they were his own. He has a great ear and really brought the tracks to life. I will definitely be using Andrew for my next album.
by Tim L
Andrew is an incredible songwriter and performer. His unique style of playing paired with his subtly electrifying stage presence makes for an unforgettable show that leaves you captivated even after he leaves the stage. After enjoying seeing him perform live, several times, I recently had the opportunity to perform as an auxiliary musician on an album he has been producing and engineering. His sense of direction and musical ear is unmatched! It was like he knew all of the pieces on the board and where they go but also allowed for plenty of creative experimentation.
by Adam G
Andrew is a top notch engineer and producer. I’ve been working all year with him for on location recordings and he’s always got a good ear for the sound I’m looking for and helping to direct. Not only has he been recording this album for me, but I’ve also sent him tracks to mix and master that I’ve recorded elsewhere and they sounded really great once he polished them up a bit. Andrew has
always had a quick turn around with getting the tracks back to me and caters to whatever feedback I track down to the smallest detail. Will definitely be doing work with Andrew again in the future.
by Martin J Weir
Andrew Ryan is currently working on my first solo project. He has very keen ear and is detail oriented. He is a talented musician and songwriter so he understands the emotion and feelings that an artist puts in to their songs and music. It shows in the quality of his production and engineering.
by Jason Thomas
Multi talented, multi instrumentalist, who brings a fresh perspective to any recording project. A talented songwriter who truly lives the stories he tells and presents them with a particular Midwest honesty that is often imitated, Andrew’s songs come from a place of truth. On top of all this he’s also a hell of an engineer and producer.
by Karen Choi
I had the pleasure of working with Andrew on a recent release. He was incredibly efficient and was able to work with the fast turn around time needed for my project. He works with the artist’s vision and style in mind but is also very capable at providing professional direction as needed.
by Jay Waldo - Cottonwoods
I highly recommend working with Andrew for your next project. He was incredibly knowledgeable, flexible, and just good to be around. He was also able to recruit multiple top notch musicians who learned my songs and played on my EP, as well as playing some tracks himself. It was a great experience, and most importantly my EP came out sounding even better than I imagined it could.
by Caleb Alexander
I've had the opportunity to work with Andrew on a number of projects and dates. His high attention to detail, great attitude, and creative mindset make him a great fit for any project.

Interview with Andrew Ryan

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: They’re usually worried about price or how many days it'll take to record. I will then ask how much quality they're looking for everything in the universe has balance. What you put in you get out etc....I'll try and get everyone to focus on completing one song at a time.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Each project has its own set of unique highlights and obstacles and they’re all equally rewarding.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What sound they're looking for and if they've recorded to a click track and or if they would consider doing so.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I try not to get lost in the forrest from the trees when it comes to gear. I like to stay creative and awake while I’m working. With that said my setup is a Pro Tools HD 8 rig with a16 channel Teac M-15 analog console, various outboard preamps, etc
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A full length record for Adam Gaffney.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Different tools for different situations. Both equally important/useful.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is that I’ll work on your song/album with the same focus and dedication as if it were my own art.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That’s a tough question because it seems there are so many these days.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: My work and words will resonate with the right clients and they’ll find me and approach me in one way or another.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I don’t care about gear as much as I care about the songs and the roadmap they have from getting to the bridge or out of the second verse. The creative end is more important than which microphone captured the moment.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I graduated from CRAS and landed an internship under Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago where I learned a lot of valuable insight into the business. I’ve been recording/mixing albums for independent artists for nearly 2 decades.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: A painting with a mixture of earth tones and neutral tones.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Always record with a click track
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: indie-rock, singer-songwriter
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Arrangements
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring all of my skill sets from songwriting/arranging, to balance, making sure the ego of the song is being acknowledged and respected.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I look at it like building a house. Starting with the foundation and working my way up.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I’m inspired by people who are obsessed and consumed with their career no matter the industry.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I help bring the clients vision out to into the forefront wether that be directing traffic at the recording sessions, adding insight to the segway’s or mixing an album in the desired direction that has been recorded elsewhere.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I like the challenge of taking a song or idea and turning it into something tangible. I consider it modern day alchemy.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Frank Zappa if he we’re still alive.