Tom Dobson | SoundBetter Labs - Record Producer & Mix Engineer - Austin

Here to help elevate your music to meet your goals & always willing to go the extra mile. I've been a songwriter and professionally trained singer my whole life and fortunate to make my living in music. I look forward to helping you make something great!

Tom has been producing, engineering and mixing music for over a decade throughout the New York Metro scene. In 2020 he relocated his studio to Austin, TX to continue his craft and help shine a light on the incredible pool of musicians Texas has to offer. Tom's passion for work and attention to detail is what ultimately landed him his first record deal back in 2016 and has been recognized by some of the industries' biggest labels, engineers and songwriters. "My motto is simple, let the music do the work."

Today the modern record producer should be an engineer and much more. Always seeing the bigger picture, considering all the elements and making sure they're headed in the right direction to benefit the record and single as a whole. There is no right or wrong way to create music. Though it's nice to be recognized, a gold record doesn't make anyone a master of the craft.

My production style stems from my willingness to want to continue to grow on a daily basis and I'm fortunate to have relationships with other incredible producers who are always there to help me learn.

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep" -Scott Adams

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Credits

1 Reviews

Endorse Tom Dobson | SoundBetter Labs

by Pete Wilhoit
I've worked with Tom for years and he's super talented and a great guy. He's got a great ear, great instincts, and no one will work harder for you. He knows his way around a studio, can also play and sing like a natural and has amazing Pro-Tool chops as well! You'd be lucky to have him on your session in any capacity. Hire this man, you won't regret it!

Interview with Tom Dobson | SoundBetter Labs

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently I'm working on a Sony project, sync licensing and my next personal album.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Pete Wilhoit. He is an incredible drummer. Was the drummer for Fiction Plane and Sting. He's the only drummer I will work with and he is the most down to earth music person I'm fortunate to know.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. They both have their pros and dare I even say cons? On my master chain I run analog API, Pultecs & SSL comp. You can't beat the warmth that simply isn't there digitally.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Do your best to track your content well and I'll do my best to make it shine.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the creative freedom. There truly is no right or wrong way of doing something and if someone tells you there is, don't work with them- that's their ego getting in the way.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That because I'm not "famous" or have a bunch of "A-list" artists under my belt, that I can't deliver work that is at the same level of those artists. Not true. There are so many incredible & talented engineers out there that deserve a shot to get the job done.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What tempo and key is this song in!
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be upfront about what you really want to achieve. Audio professionals like myself can create almost anything from something, so it helps to have a definitive direction. After all revisions cost money because it's our time!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop (with Protools), LA2A, NS10 (speakers), Elam 251 Microphone & sun tan lotion.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: My career path was always music from the second I left high school. I've now been working in music for 15 years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is whatever "mood" I need to find myself in in order to meet a clients needs. I'll typically do a lot of referencing of similar artist before a start a project.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I always wanted to song-write with Dave Grohl because I love how simple and honest his writing is. He always finds a way to make sure his songs are poetic yet appeal to the masses.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: I can't stress how important tight comps/fades are. It sounds so simple, but I find that too many people are lazy about their editing work. Over the course of a song, you can have thousands of fades. All of those edits will add up at the end of a song, so if you don't make sure every one is correct, it can create an overall sloppy sound when all is said and done.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I primarily work on a lot of country, americana/folk, rock, and singer-songwriter work.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Producing, editing, comping, mixing, acoustic rhythm playing.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring the "blood, sweat and equity" to a song by going the extra mile for clients as if it were my own song. I remember being a young musician and how hard it was trying to find the right person who simply cared enough to help elevate my material.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Listen. I listen for a while before I start thinking about what I can bring to the table. I try to hear what I think the artist is going for... and then we build from there.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: It's complicated, but it works and works extremely well!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Everyone inspires me! I'm not talking about the run of the mill PR placed article or paid endorsement, I'm talking about the fact that music should be fun! Part of that fun for me is learning about how and why others achieved the sounds they did.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Typically a lot of editing/comping work ( I am a very tight editor). Production, mixing and re-tracking of guitars.