Spencer Hutton on SoundBetter

"Wow that's so pretty!" Worked with Brophy College Preparatory, Boy Tragedy, and Illunis. Jazz influenced string arranger and composer. As a double-bassist I bring a certain understanding of the string section and the sounds that make songs shine.

I am a composer, arranger and orchestrator that loves working on all genres. As a graduate of Cal State Northridge's Jazz Program, I understand harmony in both a traditional sense and a modern sense. Here to help you with any arranging or orchestrating needs as well as just adding strings to your already cool song. Writing strings for people's songs is so fun for me and I'd love to add some of the depth that strings bring to your song! Let's create something beautiful together.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

3 Reviews

Endorse Spencer Hutton

by David W.
Verified
Spencer is a very talented string arranger. His knowledge of jazz harmonies is vast, and some of the voicing's and chords he thought up for my song are nothing short of incredible. Overall his work lifted my arrangement to new heights. Would definitely work with him again!
by Grant S.
Verified
He arranged music for a high school full orchestra and choir. Speedy, affordable, organized, and well done. Highly recommend.
by Harley Guio
Fast efficient, and all music was of impeccable quality. Will be contacting again!

Interview with Spencer Hutton

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Thanks to SoundBetter I was able to work on and arrangement of a favorite song from my childhood and for the biggest ensemble I've ever written for. I arranged You'll be in my Heart for orchestra, wind ensemble and male choir for a high school in Arizona. Pretty fun to be able to do that.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently working on my own website and writing music for an imaginary video game. (lots of string writing)
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Francesco Canas is friend and an amazing violinist.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog for sure! Just like strings on a song, Analog gives this warmth and real-life sounding relatability to any song.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To make their track sound better (haha) than it did already!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: It's literally what I love. I listen to music and I love writing music so combining those two things is the best.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How fast can you do this? Pretty dang fast.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I'm a badass violinist or cellist haha
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What songs were they listening to that inspired them to ask for my services. That helps so much.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Listen to their work and ask yourself, "does this line up with what I'm trying to create?". You should be able to tell.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Definitely my upright bass, piano, and staff paper.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been a Jazz bassist for just about 10 years now and I've been listening and writing for strings for longer than 12 years. I am seriously so in love with strings and the beauty they bring to any musical setting.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style of string writing is emotional and intriguing.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Masashi Hamauzu because I'm so influenced by him!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Simplicity and elegance are synonymous.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Anything. Pop, Jazz, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Country, Film. I've done it all.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Making things that are simple, effective and all within a short amount of time.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: When a song has strings on it it brings such a weight and emotional maturity that without them would be just a simply great song. Strings just lift songs up to a higher place that allow it to reach different parts of an audience.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Typically I'll listen to a track once to get a general feeling. Then I'll listen again with more critical ears. Then I'll either make a chart of it or look at chart someone has given me. I'll listen in the car and make a voice memo of some general ideas or feelings about the song that I feel like I could enhance with the strings. Then I start writing the strings mock track to give a general idea to the artist to see if they like it. Will edit from there and send the finished product very fast!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: For writing and arranging I have the latest Sibelius as well as Logic Pro and several string samples. I have a Yamaha upright piano as well as a Korg Minilogue and three bass guitars (fretless, Jazz bass and P bass). My beautiful eastman upright bass is stocked as well.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I'm inspired by the string writing of Masashi Hamauzu and the performance/writing of Rob Moose.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Typically I'll supply string arrangements and/or original string parts for a song that someone has written or wants arranged for their group/band.