Simone Lombardi on SoundBetter

Over 15 years of experience recording, mixing and producing music for #1 artists spanning a wide range of genres. I've worked for the BBC & released for leading record labels (Sony, Virgin, BMG). My approach is free-form and instinctive, I see the sound engineer as an artist and the mix as a performance. I use the studio as a musical instrument.

Mixing

A good music mixer is like chess player: every move needs to be carefully thought through, every sound analysed to understand its role and interaction with the rest of the track. I can work with a wide range of genres and draw upon my extensive experience to produce a great sounding mix. Full analogue and digital options.

Production

I am passionate about record production and I have released commercial records for leading independent record labels like Rough Trade. This has helped me to develop a good ear for well-produced tracks and to be across the latest trends in contemporary new music.

Broadcast Sound

With hundreds of hours on air under my belt, I’m equally at home in the music studio and in the broadcast gallery\OB truck. I can combine the complex technical knowledge and the advanced music production skills required to balance the most complex concerts and live music shows.

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

Credits

14 Reviews

Endorse Simone Lombardi

byKyano Kashi
Verified
Simone is a true professional. He definitely helped me get my song to the next level. He was very patient and responsive and overall did an excellent job. He catered to my smallest requests and payed attention to all the details. I highly recommend Simone and can’t wait to work with him again!
byDub T.
Verified
It was great working with Simone, he definitely took my song to the next level in exactly the way I expected he would. I gave him some references to work with and he really expertly took motifs from those references and incorporated them into the track without being derivative. He was also patient with all my edits, definitely recommend working with Simone!
byMike S.
Verified
Simone did an amazing job mixing our track. He is a great communicator and worked hard to understand our vision, as well as explain in detail our options and his mixing process. He went above and beyond on our mix and had very helpful input that really helped the song reach its potential. He understands what makes a song shine and have impact. Simone is friendly ,professional, and creative, and we HIGHLY recommend his services, and will be seeking him out for our next mix.
byTom Flynn
Simone did an incredible job, mixing another 4 of our songs. He managed to make great mixes with depth and clear sound, exactly like we wanted.
His skills are deeply reflected in his work, and the sound he created for our songs will decorate our album in a superb manner.
byvictor kwality
I’ve known Simone from a number of years, he’s the ultimate professional. He established himself as one of the regular engineers at the legendary BBC Maida Vale studios, recording and mixing iconic programs like the Live Lounge and Peel Sessions with a multitude of world-class artists. A part from his professional experience at the BBC, he is passionate about record production and has been producing commercial records for leading independent record labels. This has helped him to develop a good ear for well-produced music and to be across the latest trends in contemporary new music. He has also
byKarborn
I have worked with Simone now on various projects. Whether it’s masterIng audio or remixing tracks, I’m always impressed how skilled, efficient and patient he is. Looking forward to working with Simone again, a pleasure and a deft touch - highly recommend.
byXavier
I worked with Simone on a number of projects, from mastering to mixes of high-profile productions. Simone provided an absolutely fantastic and personal service and really listened to what I wanted for my tracks. He provided me with regular updates on each step of the process and I always felt that he keep me well-informed and clearly explained all the steps involved. Would definitely work with him again.
byTom - 1403
I've been lucky enough top have Simone work on both the mixing and recording/engineering side of my projects and his unrivalled attention to detail and passion for the process is both enriching and humbling. He has the rare gift of making you feel at ease and unfurled in the studio whilst also challenging you to create something extra special through his tireless work ethic and ear for the extraordinary. I look forward to more work and rewards in the future!
byJohnny C.
Simone has created a wonderful sound for my album. The completed works are beyond my expectations, he has completely transformed the tracks. Nothing has been too much for him, he has always been available, he is full of ideas and executes them efficiently. He seems to enjoy solving issues, listening and understanding requests/choices and is extremely patient. Hugely impressed with him work and love what he has done for us.
bySimona Marsibilio
Simone is a true professional patient, kind, understanding and determined to get your song to sound exactly how you want it! It was truly a wonderful experience! I would highly recommend him and look forward to working with him again in the future!
byTom Flynn
I hired Simone to mix my entire album. Right from the initial consultation through to the final stages of the project, Simone was on hand to answer my questions, take on-board my requests and always kept me updated throughout the process. The service level is exceptional.

As for the sound and project, I couldn't have asked for a better result. The mixes are perfectly balanced, spacious and are full of interesting effects. Simone is a very impressive music mixer and the service exceeded my expectations at every turn, whilst still representing excellent value for money.
byDennis White
Simone is an excellent engineer / producer and has helped me get some really special recordings. We've used him to track everything from drum kits to cello to grand pianos - the results are always brilliant.

When it comes to equipment he's an encyclopedia of knowledge and importantly he knows when to apply the right techniques to get the best results. Simone has a great ear for tone and balance within a mix and can make music shine using some clever techniques he's picked up over the years, I'd happily recommend him to anyone.

Oh and he's a really nice guy too!
byTasos Frantzolas
I 've worked with Simone in London during his time at the BBC and I consider him a true master of his craft. An engineer and producer with equal abilities 'in the box' (digital) and also with analog gear, having worked for years at the BBC's legendary Maida Vale studios with some of the world's most famous artists across every genre (Hip hop, Pop, electronic, acoustic etc.). Simone is a hard working guy that has matches his experience with a positive and fun attitude.
byGeoff Travis
Simone was asked to do a remix for some music we have at our company and he did a brilliant job, reconstructing the track, engineering it and producing it, finding the right musicians.We were extremely happy with the results. Geoff Travis/rough trade md

Interview with Simone Lombardi

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A session for a band from Leeds, UK called Nubiyan Twist, a great 10 piece afro-jazz collective.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm a sound technician and not a musician.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Exciting, punchy, big. I believe good music has to make you move, that's why I spend a lot of time on the drum sound, it's the key to a successful song.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Heavy Metal is not my first choice of music but mixing Slipknot for the BBC Rock Show was incredible, the energy was just off the scale! There is nothing more satisfying for a sound engineer than fading up Clown's keg mics!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Horses for courses: analogue for the sound, digital for the workflow.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will take you on a sonic journey and will make your song sound not only great but best possible.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The privilege of collaborating with extremely talented musicians, I never get bored of that.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you take away the stress of finishing my song? Of course I can!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's your sonic vision for the song? Once I know that, I can help them getting there.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don't trust their gear, trust their ears, that's what you're ultimately paying for. Have a listen to their portfolio, if you like what you hear, you're on the right track towards choosing the right person.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A great pair of speakers, my headphones, my laptop, an echoplex tape echo and a fisher spring reverb, everything you need to dub it up!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I joined the BBC very young, and was very fortunate to learn from an incredible group of pop-rock engineers known as "group 2", responsible for thousands of hours of music across all BBC stations. That was 16 years ago..
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: James Brown, for his endless energy and funk power.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Gain structure, gain structure, gain structure! If you're disciplined with it and create a great balance right from the start, everything else will be easy, whether you're recording or mixing.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: My main pool of experience comes from my 15 years career at the BBC, where every year we service hundreds of bands across the whole musical spectrum. I can tell you what I don't work on: classical music, orchestral scores etc.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Everyone can learn how to operate a complex console, edit and comp hundreds of vocal tracks etc. but sonic instinct can't be taught, you either have it or you don't. I have a natural feel for balance, perspective, tone and how those elements translate into a great mix, call it "good ears"!
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: When you've worked for months on a song, it's easy to lose direction and either under or over produce. I bring fresh perspective and focus, helping your song to cross the finishing line.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I am obsessed with gain structure, everything starts at the top of the channel strip and flows through the signal path as seamlessly as possible, maximising signal to noise ratio and making sure sounds are in the optimal working range. Unity gain is the name of my game!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: For analogue tracking and mixing, I have access to a full SSL 9K J Series large format studio, all bells and whistles, classic compressors, the lot. For digital workflow, I have a mac system fully loaded with all the industry standard software (Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Logic, etc.), all Waves and UAD plugins, Excel 301 Speakers, a bunch of analogue outboard (tape delay, spring reverb, analogue echo).
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am a massive fan of reggae\dub engineers, like King Tubby and Lee Perry. They pioneered the use of the studio as an instrument and the mix as a performance through the use of effects and the mixing board. My approach is heavily influenced by this ethos, the mix engineer is part of the performance, not just a fader monkey!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I'm a popular music sound engineer, I produce, record, mix and master music of all sorts. My main speciality is recording and mixing bands who perform "live" in the same room, retaining the energy of live takes and capturing special moments on record rather than manufacturing fake songs. It's a dying art!