Tom Matera on SoundBetter

I’m a NYC-based producer specializing in pop, electronic, and hip hop production. I’m also a mastering engineer. I deliver forward thinking, creative production to up and coming artists. I work closely with my clients to meet their every need and realize their vision for their project.

I am offering professional mixing and mastering services to all Pop, Hip Hop, & Electronic Artists. I have state of the art plugins and a professionally designed home studio that is acoustically treated. Most importantly, I have years of experience with audio production, and mastering, and will be able to bring out the best of your song. I work quickly and efficiently.

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

Credits

9 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Tom Matera

by Andrei E.
Verified
As always Tom exceeded my expectations. Previously we worked on production and then we worked on vocal tuning and mixing + mastering and I have to say this time he was even better at delivering the right result for me. He has great understanding of pop music but also is very patient and a great creative. Thanks again!
by Andrei E.
Verified
A great producer! Working with Tom has been a great experience. He is very engaging and and patient and listened to what I needed for my production. Definitely recommend him as a producer, sound designer, mixer.
Thanks Tom !
by GraceMeUp
Verified
Super talented producer. Highly recommended. The arraignment of the song over exceed our expectations. He is very professional and has excellent communication skills. We would love to produce another song with him soon.
by Helen T.
Verified
Tom is a very helpful and easy to work with person. Understanding and patient. Appreciate him and his work.
by BINX
Had such a wonderful experience working with Tom!! He is beyond talented and has a truly brilliantly bright future in production ;)
He is extremely creative, kind, professional and brought my song to life just how I imagined it - and made it even better! I cannot wait to work with him again!!
by Ava Roth
Tom is super talented and is just overall really great to work with. Super understanding of ideas and concepts and creates really amazing production and more. I would 1000% recommend him. It's been such a great experience making music with him and I'm always so so impressed by his work. Very excited to continue to work with him on future projects!
by Ellie Briskin
Tom was the absolute best to work with! As a singer, he helped me with essentially everything the recording process entails and I owe so much of my sound to his guidance- and I’m blown away by the quality of each song's end result. He made long days in the studio a really productive, exciting, and enjoyable experience. Looking forward to working with Tom again, could not recommend him higher!
by Jeong Woo Seo
A true creative is what comes to mind when I think about Tom. I had the pleasure of co-producing a track with him in 2016. I was taken back not only by his skills and knowledge in music production/engineering, but especially by his ability to pinpoint unique features of a track and actualize them by twisting and bending musical tools beyond their limit. Working with Tom was like working with a powerful river system: fluid, focused, and flexible. Most importantly Tom made every single studio session a wonderful experience. As a music producer/engineer Tom has my highest recommendation.
by Justin Kim
I don't want to sound cliche, but if your looking for a whole package deal when working with a producer/engineer, Thomas is definitely the guy.

In the music industry, it's essential to find someone that you can work hours on end with (which is extremely easy working with Tom).

As a musician I'm always worried that originals can turn into something that isn't so original after producing it all into the computer. I can confidently say that all my acoustic originals have been produced into amazing songs and I couldn't be happier with his work!

Interview with Tom Matera

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Unfortunately, I don't know anyone else on here. Looking forward to getting to know them, though!
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: There's not really a single question that I get asked a lot about, but I do get asked to give my opinion and perspective on the music that I'm working on. I'm always happy to give input and creative direction when the artist needs it.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That producers are just "beatmakers." Producers take it a step further and guide a song from demo to finished product.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A modern, & forward thinking use of sound design and production to make your song sound and feel "fresh" and current, while also powerful and loud as to compete with commercial music.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If I'm working with a singer, I'll generally get a demo from them and start by laying down the foundation of the song and then adding drums and trying to just get the general direction for the song down. Once I have the final vocal recording I'll really dig in and add melodies and other elements that compliment the vocal. After that, I fine tune all the sounds and effects, and then mix & master the track.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently finished a song for one of my clients that I produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered all in my home studio and it came out incredibly well! However, I'm more and more proud with every new song I produce.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I work on music for various TV Shows through my company (Love & Hip Hop, Basketball Wives, Black ink, and others). I'm also working on two separate EPs for clients and a personal album.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both! I work mostly in the box because it's convenient and you can find great analog modeled software that works really well! I would love to get my hands on analog synth though, like a prophet.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is to always go above and beyond to make sure your vision for your song is met.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The fact that I get to be creative and bring peoples vision for their music to life. Nothing better!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I will generally ask for references for the type of song they want. I also ask how much creative freedom I'm allowed to have. Knowing how much room I have for my interpretation of the proposed song is very helpful.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Find someone who's confident in their ability to bring your vision for the song to life. Someone who can communicate with you effectively is a great help as well.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop, my duet 2 audio interface, My Focal speakers, My Neumann Mic, & my external hard drive. All I need to make awesome music haha. Just got to somehow acoustically treat a cave I find there.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I actually went to college (Bucknell University) for economics and taught myself production on the side. I started a Producer duo with one of my best friends and we ended up doing pretty well - millions of plays on Soundcloud and Youtube, did remixes for big artists, and even played a few shows. We actually got to open for Ellie Goulding at the World Economic Forum this past year. I graduated college May of 2018 and landed a job composing and producing music for TV/Film for Strike Audio in NYC. I've been doing that, as well as freelance producing and engineering for various artists this past year.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Fresh & Unique Electronic Pop - elements of electronic music, tasteful pop, & hip hop blended together.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: It's between Jon Bellion, Kanye West, & Halsey. For me, Jon Bellion & Kanye are two of the most talented, creative, & innovative producers and artists out there & Halsey has the most unique voice and sound, in my opinion, of any pop star out today.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: From a producer who's worked with many vocalists through original productions & remixes, I would say a great tip is to keep it simple & complement the vocal in the best way possible.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: It ranges from Pop to Electronic, to Hip Hop. In today's music, those genres are blended together, so I like to focus on creating an awesome record & sound, rather than the specific genre.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: The whole production process from writing chords & melodies, to sound design, to programming drums. Outside of the actual creation process, I find that I'm strong in communicating with clients about their vision for their song.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work in a home studio in which I built and acoustically treated myself. I have state of the art monitors (Focal Twin 6 Be), a Maschine Mk2 for a drum pad, and Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S49 as a midi keyboard. I also have a Neumann u87 microphone for recording sessions. I also use the Apogee Duet 2 as an audio interface. Other than that, I work mostly in the box with software.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Artists such as Jon Bellion, Kanye West, Flume, Halsey, Louis The Child, Mac Miller, Frank Ocean, and many more inspire me.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I provide production, mixing, and mastering services.