Rafael Domingues on SoundBetter

Hi there! My name is Rafael, I'm from Portugal and I'm here to record delicious guitar tracks for your song! I have tons of experience in playing and recording the most mainstream genres like pop, pop rock, rock, hip hop, metal and jazz. I'm also a drop in the ocean, but I hope you notice my profile and choose me to work with you!

I started my education in electric guitar in 2006, when I was 10 years old. Until 2018 I integrated several amateur projects of covers and originals, but it was in that year that I took my first steps in professional bands and artists.

It was also in 2018 that I started teaching private guitar lessons, and to date I have been a member of several cover projects and national artists, having participated in numerous live events as well as in studio works.

Recently, in 2020, I acquired an Audio Assistant certificate through HOFA - College, and started my activities in the area of music production, performing jobs as an online freelancer, including: audio editing for videos, composition and production of jingles/intros, mixing, guitar recordings, among others.

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

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Interview with Rafael Domingues

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Right now I'm recording the guitar tracks for the song of a portuguese rock artist.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Definitely digital. Nowadays, our science is too advanced and sofisticated, there are only one or two things where the analog is better than the digital.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is always that I will do better than they imagined. And that's always my aim. I deal with their songs like they were also mine.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: What I like the most about my job is to work from home, with my coffee mug, slippers and my dogs. Also I have freedom to choose my own schedules and the clients I want to work for.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Project size, deadline and the general idea they have for their projects.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Well, if you are looking for a provider like me, you'll probably be well served! But a good advise would be to be the most specific you can about your idea and your project.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My Fender Stratocaster, Helix Pedalboard, laptop, Focusrite Interface and studio monitors. Quite enough!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: My music career started like every kid, playing in a garage with some friends, around 2010, more or less. But I soon realized that it was the thing I most wanted to do in my life. So I grew up in the music scene in my town, and then in Lisbon, and now I'm playing in one of the most busy cover bands in Portugal. We have tons of work. But around 2 years ago, I realized that I wanted to become more expert in audio engineering, so I took an online course through Hofa College and started working as an online session musician, producer and sound engineer. It was very helpfull to make an extra income to add to the live shows.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Honestly, I have no specific style. I like to pick up a genre, and practice until it sounds like I play that genre since I was a child. But I'm more connected to everything that has a good guitar sound in it.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tom Misch, because I love the way he build his songs. He is very artistic, creative, and also his guitar tone is pretty much delicious.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Never work in the studio for many hours straight. Our ears get easily tired of the high frequencies and we tend to lower them down, making the mixes a lot duller. So, keep in mind to do some breaks from time to time.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I've worked in almost every type of music. But according to the world trends, I've been working more in hip-hop and lo-fi tracks lately.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Versatility
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: To every project, I bring everything that my current skill and knowledge allows me.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: After chating with the client first, I start to learn or compose the parts I am going to record. Then, I record a small demo for the client to check if my sound is suitable for the project. Then, I go forward to the entire recording of my tracks. Finally, I present the song to the client and give him/her 2 free reviews for any adjustments that they find necessary. I can honestly say that 99,99% of the time, those 2 reviews are enough for the project to be completed.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work with a simple Focusrite Stereo Interface, connected to 2 PreSonus studio monitors and a Sony Hi-Fi Soundsystem to test my mixes in a home/car environment. I use a powerfull HP laptop and mix everything on Cubase.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Tom Misch, John Mayer, Mateus Asato, among others.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Online studio sessions, recording electric or acoustic guitar tracks for clients.