Joel Willson

Session Violinist

Joel Willson on SoundBetter

Remote violin + fiddle recording.

Hey there! My name is Joel. I have over 10 years of experience recording violin + fiddle for a range of styles including folk, pop, hip hop, rock, jazz, classical, cajun, gypsy, country, and more! I have a professional studio and specialize in remote recordings. I'd love to collaborate with you on your next project!

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Interview with Joel Willson

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: I'm especially proud of my work with the band, Minos the Saint. Together we developed a really unique concept that blended several styles including Cajun fiddle, Americana, Country, Classical, and Rock.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: I'm working on several films currently. I'm also recording a single for a client.

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Analog is my preference. I feel like you can get a better sound.

  7. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  8. A: I promise you'll LOVE working with me and you'll get EXACTLY what you hoped for in having a violinist perform on your track.

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: I love meeting new people and listening to a wide variety of songs.

  11. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  12. A: Is the violin the same thing as the fiddle? Basically, they are. It's just how you play it.

  13. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  14. A: I think a lot of people don't realize what the violin can do on a recording. Not only can you record really nice melodic lines, but there are tons of extended techniques you can use as well as stacking/layering sounds to get more of an orchestral vibe. You can get a really huge sound from just one instrument!

  15. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  16. A: What style genre are you going for? Is there a record or artist you'd like this song to emulate? Do you have any ideas or would you like me just to improvise?

  17. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  18. A: Reach out and chat! The best way to find out if we're a good fit to work together is a conversation.

  19. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  20. A: Violin, guitar, computer, 1 mic, and a korg synthesizer.

  21. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  22. A: I studied music at Louisiana State University and have been a session player for over 10 years.

  23. Q: How would you describe your style?

  24. A: My style is very improvisational and intuitive. That's allowed me to be able to perform in a variety of genres.

  25. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  26. A: Jack White. I'm a fan : )

  27. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  28. A: Proper placement of the mic is super important to get a good sound. I've seen engineers place the mic too close to the violin several times. You want to make sure to let the instrument breathe a little bit in order to maximize the sound quality.

  29. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  30. A: I work on a ton of Americana, Country, and folk records. I also do a lot of soundtracks for movies.

  31. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  32. A: Improvisation and empathy

  33. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  34. A: I bring energy, joy, and a fresh perspective to songs. I listen for what the song wants and try to add a melodic layer that supports what the song needs to fly.

  35. Q: What's your typical work process?

  36. A: I typically receive a song and do a deep dive listening session. Then I love to schedule a call with the artist. Afterward, I record a few options and we discuss the results together. It's a very collaborative approach.

  37. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  38. A: I use a simple setup that's really effective for recording violin. I use one high-quality mic, such as the SM7B, in an acoustically treated room run through a cloud lift into my DAW.

  39. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  40. A: I'm inspired by Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Stéphane Grappelli, and Nigel Kennedy.

  41. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  42. A: I am a session violin + fiddle player. I do studio and remote recording for my clients.

  • ViolinAverage price - $70 per song
Terms Of Service

Unlimited Revisions

GenresSounds Like
  • Taylor Swift
  • Led Zeppelin
  • Ludwig Goransson
Gear Highlights
  • Mics: SM7B and AKG C214
  • PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 USB Audio Interface
  • DAW: Studio One
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