I like to get to know the artists I work with so I can help them tell their story authentically! I will write, produce, record, mix & master your record, and I have a team of producers, engineers, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists to call upon when needed.
I have some creative rituals that I like to perform with the artists I work with before we start our sessions, namely tea or coffee over personal conversations, followed by creative writing to get the gears turning! My process involves brainstorming on song topics, finding a theme and thesis to write towards, and setting up a climactic story arc that draws listeners in. I like to make sure the story is fully written, i.e. lyrics and melody, before continuing on to production. A single song takes about five days from inception to the master file. Generally, I like to finish one song per week but I will allow for the five days to take place over a fourteen-day period to provide time for the artist to practice the song so that recording can take the least amount of time and be the most cost-effective for the artist. I encourage open communication so that we can create music we are both proud of while enjoying the experience along the way!
Send me a note through the contact button above.
6 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client
Endorse Sam X- check_circleVerified
He’s done it again ! Super fast turn around time & our work flow is getting more efficient too. Super stoked with the way this one turned out & working with Sam is like working with a friend who I’ve known my whole life. Can’t wait for the next one !
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If I could sum up my experiences working with Sam in three words they would be : encouraging ego-free environment. During our time working together he has supported me through a lot as a friend, collaborator, advisor, confidante, and I know I can trust him with absolutely anything. One of the best parts about working with him was his ability to pivot and be flexible to the circumstances. Sam is someone I know I can rely on and who has my best interest at heart. Hiring him was worth every penny and I’d do it again 10x over !
Sam is a talented and awesome producer to work with. He's super knowledgeable about what it takes to make professional and impactful music and is an awesome guy to boot. Hire him and you won't be disappointed! I've seen him work in all genres and the dedication to his craft is admirable. Can't wait to work with him again.
Hire this guy!!!! I’ve worked with Sam a bunch here and there, and every time we work together it’s an absolute pleasure. Not only is he super talented but he’s super motivated and ready to get whatever project we’re working on done. Also, doesn’t hurt that he has a ton of technical experience, so the whole process runs super smoothly every time. Highly highly recommended!
-DerekSam is super talented and a joy to work with. He co-wrote, produced and engineered by upcoming 6 song EP. He is a true professional and cares deeply about the artist and their vision. Highly recommend Sam as a collaborator!
It was a joy collaborating with Sam X on a couple Talia tracks. He’s fun, humble, creative and super professional. I highly recommend him.
Interview with Sam X
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: The most common question I get is: what kind of different creative service packages do I offer. My answer: Several. But in all seriousness, I'm flexible! If you want songwriting and demo production, you got it. If you want mixing and mastering, done. If you're looking for the whole enchilada (AKA a song or project from scratch), I'm your guy.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: At the moment I'm working on a super modern pop Musical! I just finished TALIA's debut 7 song EP called "The Ugly Parts" which takes the listener on a journey of the human experience through the eyes of the seven deadly sins.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: All of my clients walk away with an authentic, signature piece that they're proud to share with the world.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: The biggest misconception is that I wear every single hat for the entirety of a project. While I would consider myself a jack of many trades, I am always willing to outsource work to a small team of trusted session musicians, producers, and songwriters that I rely on to take my projects to the finish line when needed.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: When I was ≈ 18 or 19, I decided to pursue music and applied to the Music Industry Program at Drexel University where I went to learn the ins and outs of being a music producer. There, I learned a lot about songwriting, production, recording and audio engineering. I later transferred to the Berklee College of Music to hone my musicianship skills on the piano and guitar. I've been working as a producer and songwriter for the past five years, and over the past couple of years, I have refined my natural tendencies to write creatively and tell the best stories I can.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'd love to work with Ariana Grande because I absolutely love the stories she tells and would GEEK over her creative process.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: If you really want that Lofi goodness, run your songs through a vintage Sony Mega-Bass Beatbox and lay it down on tape, then run it back into your rig. Also, if you want your 808's to slap, use Ableton Live's Kick Tight Preset of the Corpus plugin. Thank me later ;)
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I like to work on varying types of Pop music. I would say Alternative or Anti-Pop 'Left-Of-Center' material that tends to have a high energy focus.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have a fleshed-out idea for a project you want to build from the ground up, or are you looking to make singles? What are your top 10 song topics?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have detailed knowledge of what you want to achieve at the end of the creative process, or be open to experimentation :)
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Hmmmm, I'd have to go with a ukelele, a solar-powered Mellotron, a vintage Fender Telecaster, a space-gray Kemper Profiling Amp, and a cruelty-free Yamaha Grand Piano lololol
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My musical style in three depictions would be a combination of the production of "Oak" Felder on the Demi Lovato smash 'Sorry Not Sorry', lyrical storytelling of Billie Eilish and FINNEAS in 'Bellyache', and melodic styles of Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I like to bring written storyboards to the songs I write. I think of each stanza as a different scene that shows a small piece of the picture, and when you add them all up, you get a little musical movie that plays in your head!
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: First I like to start with 30-45 minutes of conversation under the sun over coffee or tea to get the ball rolling on potential song topics, and then I like to run through a creative exercise; object writing, to really get the gears turning. After that, we'll head to the studio and I'll start jamming on the guitar, piano, or ukulele until we catch a vibe that inspires a story...then we tell it! After writing, we'll track a demo (or if we're lucky a final!) and then I'll produce, mix and master the record!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: When I was a kid, my mom used to make me all kinds of mixtapes with everything from classical music (Beethovens Symphony #5) to rap (Eminem), gangster rap (NWA) to pop (Britney Spears), electronic music (Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk) to punk rock (Green Day). FINNEAS' production skills are some of the best in the game right now and DECAP kills it with the drums. In terms of songwriting Billie Eilish & Ariana Grande slay the game, as does Julia Michaels & JP Saxe. I could sit here and ramble for hours!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Original songwriting and record production.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Creating fun and original stories with thorough and continuous arcs from start to finish.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Lilianna Wilde & I wrote an EP right at the start of the pandemic called Quarantine Thoughts that was an absolute BLAST to create. We got on zoom, wrote all six songs in four days, recorded them in four days, and I produced, mixed, and mastered the project in the next 48 hours. The whole project came together like wildfire and was one of the fastest projects I've ever worked on!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog! Because everything sounds better with a little rust hahah
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Encouraging my artists to push their creative limits and get out of their comfort zones!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My hand-made home studio is insulated with Auralex Bass Traps and Audimute Sound Absorption Sheets. My keyboard is a Roland Fantom-G8, I record vocals with an AKG Condenser Mic, and I use two sets of monitors: vintage Yamaha NS-10M's, and KRK VXT8's. I run Ableton Live on a Mac Pro computer viewed on a 55-inch monitor. Amenities include a Fender Telecaster and Stratocaster, an Ibanez electric guitar, an Oscar Schmit acoustic guitar, a mahogany ukulele, a MASCHINE STUDIO beat pad, and the sweetest studio mascot you have ever had the pleasure of meeting: KIKI the chihuahua :)
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Derek Proch, he's a prolific producer and experienced guitarist.
I was the Co-Writer, Producer, & Audio Engineer in this production
- ProducerAverage price - $1500 per song
- Songwriter - LyricAverage price - $350 per song
- Recording StudioAverage price - $400 per day
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $250 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $500 per song
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $400 per track
- Vocal compingAverage price - $200 per track
Single song turnaround time is generally five days barring revisions. Two revisions allowed, one major and one minor. Additional revisions can be negotiated around time and price.
- Billie Eilish
- Ariana Grande
- FLETCHER
- Vintage Fender Telecaster
- Advanced Synth Library
- AKG Microphone
- Apollo Audio Interface
- Analog Mastering Racks
- Fantom G8 Keyboard
- Yamaha NS-10M Speakers
- Audio Technica Headphones
10% Off One Future Song per Completed Referral :)