Melissa Bell on SoundBetter

I will mix your alternative and indie rock songs using a high quality mix of classic analog and modern digital equipment and techniques, for an affordable price.

Hi - my name is Melissa, and I'm a recording and mix engineer. I've been recording and producing music for local bands for almost 20 years, and it's time to broaden my horizons and work with the wider world!

I specialize in rock, folk, and singer-songwriter productions, but have experience working with the poppier side of things as well (and I once recorded and mixed a Japanese-language hip-hop EP). My studio is well equipped to deliver you a blend of modern digital production techniques paired with classic analog sounds. If you are an alternative, indie, folk, pop, punk, post-punk, shoegaze, or otherwise rock band, I would love to work with you!

I understand that not every artist/engineer relationship is the right fit. Tell me what you're after, send me your first song, and if we're not getting to a mutually happy place that makes both of us excited to continue after a few revisions, I will happily refund you and wish you well! Assuming things go well, then I'm excited to work with you on your next project!

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Credits

3 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Melissa Bell

by Claudio C.
Verified
Perfect again!
by Claudio C.
Verified
Melissa made my song sound so much better. Very patient, even about my limitations in the English language. Very Quick and organized to get your work done!!
by Michael D.
Verified
Melissa is brilliant. She took my songs to a whole new level. She listened really well and dug into her seemingly endless toolbox to deliver exactly what I was envisioning. Melissa obviously has a very strong work ethic and is extremely responsive. Highly recommended.

Interview with Melissa Bell

Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both! There are some really special things about the sound of analog that I love, and there are some amazingly practical and flexible things about working in the digital domain. I mix in a hybrid fashion because I want the best of both worlds.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will always do my best to make sure you're happy and getting what you want for your music. If you are not satisfied with the way your music is turning out after the first few revisions on song #1, I will absolutely refund you, and we can both move on happily.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Why are you recording this record, and what do you want it to sound like? Is it a passion project for you? Is it intended to be commercial? What records do you hear in your head when you think about your sound?
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been recording and mixing for local bands since 2002, when I started my first studio to record MY own band. It has been a part time endeavor for me since, working with local bands whose sound I love and want to work with, but I am hoping to expand and help more artists get the sound they want.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Get your sounds right at the source, when you record them! We can fix a lot of things nowadays, but it's ALWAYS better to get it right in front of the microphone whenever possible.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work primarily with indie and alternative rock of all sorts, as well as singer songwriter material. I am comfortable working in most any genre featuring actual recorded instruments. :)
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I would like to believe that I bring strong drum and guitar tones to bear in my mixes, especially when the tracks are recorded well. To that end, I am always happy to consult with people during their tracking process and work with them to make sure they're capturing sounds that will ultimately work for them in the mix stage.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I try to create a sense of warmth, movement, and space in any song that lands on my desk, but ultimately I want to make sure that your vision carries through. It's deeply important to me that YOUR vision comes through in the final mix, not mine.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I operate a hybrid studio, offering a mix of high-quality classic analog pieces as well as some of the best the digital world has to offer. I ultimately sum your mix in analog via my Rupert Neve Designs 5059, with an all-analog mix bus chain.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: While there are countless engineers I find inspiring, my hero is absolutely Steve Albini. He has an approach to engineering that is deeply respectful of the artist and their vision, and that's something that I value highly.