A finger on the pulse of various music scenes. Offering a unique blend of electronic and organic elements to the mix. Constantly on the edge of learning new technologies and production techniques. Specializing in electronic, yet grounded and versatile with classical training, blending the synthetic and organic into a harmonized symbiosis.
Andrei Aldea is a Toronto-raised freelance audio engineer. His services include recording, audio engineering/mixing, mastering, producing, software/production tutorials, as well as on-site field recordings, for film and music videos. The magic of sound is an audio playground for Andrei: large mixes, racks upon racks of gear and the latest software keeps him pretty occupied. If there’s a new and better way to improve your sound project, he’s on it. Andrei is a classically trained pianist and describes himself as “an avid gear head”.
His productions have a character of their own, involving organic and electronic elements that form an excellent symbiosis. Andrei has a finger on the pulse of the local music scene, attending many shows that take place in the greater Toronto area and abroad.
Andrei’s philosophy is this: “A recording is a sonic encapsulation of emotion and time.” “Being an artist, allows me to understand the needs and demands of my fellow musicians, producers, managers, and labels.”
Andrei graduated from Recording Arts Canada, interned at Edit Productions, and freelances out of various studios in Canada and Europe. He’ a laid-back but highly professional guy, Andrei will listen to whatever his clients’ needs are, and looks forward to constantly expanding his client base.
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Interview with Andrei Aldea
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: An equally musical and technical ear that's not afraid to be bold. I definitely won't put you to sleep!
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Each project is unique. There is no typical process. Know the tools for the job and most importantly know how to communicate with those you're working with.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: An investment of blood, sweat and tears like many others out there. If it doesn't serve a sonic purpose, it doesn't live in my studio. Quality pieces that matter where it counts.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Bruce Swedien, Sylvia Massy, Dave Pensado, Noisia
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing, Mastering and some consulting (really just picking my brain about anything production/audio or technology related).
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Working with Zentrix was fun. He's a cool and laid back guy and his sound design is absolutely killer.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Wrapping up my first debut album. Music's done. Figuring out the marketing side of things.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Christopher A. Dion - top notch guy. Has been more than generous with his time when I had questions for him. Genuine and caring. A true professional.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Pick the tools for the job. I have both. The end listener doesn't care. Convince me otherwise!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I take ownership of the projects as if they're my own. I understand how much responsibility and trust has been handed over for the opportunity to work on your creative vision. It should be handled by someone who cares and wants to put in their all so it can be memorable.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: All the knobs and blinky lights. In all seriousness though, I love the people and places music and audio has taken me. I never get tired of it. I don't think I ever will.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you make it louder? (If it serves the music, sure).
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I just sit in a padded room making strange noises until all hours of the night.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What made you take the step to find someone to handle your project and what goals do you have with the finished product?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have realistic expectations about your music. If this is your first time and you need some hand holding, that's totally fine. I will be more than happy to educate you on the process but have faith you came to a professional and leave some room for discussion.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My speakers, my lavry, my desk, SSL compressor, Keyboard
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Graduated from Recording Arts Canada about a decade back. A decade of piano before that. Back and forth between the day jobs and working IT and then AV industries. Internship at a smaller project studio specializing in island music but exposed me to a wide range of genres and styles I would never had the chance to work on. Freelancing for the past few years and constantly making my own productions. Constantly involved in the local music scene and abroad, on-location recording, setting up festival rigs, live sound.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: A hybrid of electronic and organic elements. Inspired by likes such as Juno Reactor, The Prodigy, Infected Mushroom and more. I started off as a rocker kid, listening to the classic rock bands (Deep Purple, Metallica, Pink Floyd), then moved onto industrial (Rammstein, Skinny Puppy, Front 242, Faderhead) and landed on electronic (Infected Mushroom, Sensient, Ajja).
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Dre.Dre, Trent Reznor, Deadmau5, Infected Mushroom, Juno Reactor - Listen to their records. Need I say more?
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: K.I.S.S. : Keep it simple stupid!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Electronic music. Kick is God but I pay homage to my 10 years of classical piano training too. I love using dynamics in my productions to make them really fly out the speakers. Approaching organic and classical instrumentation with a sound-designer's mind is also fun too.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Definitely mixing, sequencing and sound design.
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $1000 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $100 per song
- Sound DesignContact for pricing
- Session ConversionContact for pricing
- Keyboards - SynthContact for pricing
- Podcast Editing & MasteringContact for pricing
All projects require a no obligation consultation to provide rough estimate of scope of work and time required. Up to 3 revisions as per standard, extra revisions charged hourly.
- Sknote Vastaso
- SSL G bus
- Lavry
- RME
- Moog
- Virus
- Novation
- Sonnox
- Otari
