String chameleon

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

A: I wrote an arrangement for string quartet for Natalie Merchant's song "My Skin", which I got to perform on tour and for a studio recording.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I love analog recording, but for remote recording, digital is more practical and easier for editing.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Everything. I love coming up with creative solutions in the studio, and I love composing and performing.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: A violin, definitely, something to do multi-track recording on, a good preamp, a good mic and beautiful-sounding headphones.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started by studying classical music at the age of four, and continued through college, where I started playing in bands outside of school, and learning world music. I have been playing professionally in touring bands and smaller orchestras for twenty years, and more recently playing on Broadway. I've been writing and recording string arrangements for about ten years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I have a warm, clean, sensitive sound. I tend to not use much classical tone, including using vibrato sparingly.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: To build a blended string section, it's important to record at least three multiples per line, otherwise the sound will be chorusy and weird. With my setup, having multiple violins, I can achieve an even more authentic-sounding section sound.

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

A: I most often write and record for singer-songwriters, or else world music projects, that want to try something different by adding a string section to an otherwise traditional-sounding song.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think I'm particularly good at hearing and reflecting the "voice" of the songwriter, and adding a string part or section that's coherent with the whole.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually receive either a Logic session or a mix of the basic tracks, which I import into my system. Sometimes, if necessary, a tempo map as well. If the client wants a string arrangement, I'll send a rough version with my preliminary ideas for the client to review and discuss. Then, after any edits or changes in direction, after we've arrived at an arrangement that the client loves, I'll do the final recording, with or without tripled layers, and export as clean, dry .wav files for the client to add to their mix.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a variety of violins, two nice mics, a good preamp, and I record to Logic. I also have a beautiful-sounding room in which to record. The combination makes for a blended but varied string section sound. It doesn't just sound like one player in multiple layers.