Arranging & recording strings

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

A: Last fall we recorded string section for a metal album, which was a very nice experience, and we got to work on some very long tracks! In that production we recorded the arrangement that the lead guitarist had written.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment I'm preparing for live gigs this summer!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog instruments and digital recording!

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

A: I will make your music shine!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like the creative process and the collaboration situation with all nice people round the globe! And making great music!!

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

A: Sometimes costumers ask if we can do an express delivery. Most often we can :)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I use to ask for the timeline so we can plan the project and schedule studio time with my cellist.

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

A: When hiring string players it's obviously very important how the players pitch their notes, BUT even more important is the bowing technique. This is something you can not change at all after the recording. I offer my clients a short sample of the string arrangement for free, so the can listen before they decide to hire.

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

A: Acoustic guitar, violin, my Mac, Apollo soundcard and WA-47 jr.

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

A: I've been playing live gigs and doing session jobs for many years, but for the last 12 years I've been learning production and arranging as well, and I have the ability to deliver high quality all the way. Arranging - Recording - Delivering

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style of arranging as a way of putting the puzzle together. A way of letting everything in the production shine.

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

A: I'd like to work with Jacob Collier because of his creativity!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The best tip is to strip the production down. Don't overdo it.

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

A: All kinds of music: Rock, Pop, Singer/songwriter, Metal, Soul, etc.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think my strongest skill is to get the right character in the music from the start. I also think that I am good at adding melodic material into my string arrangements.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Our contribution to the song is presence and depth. Real strings has the power of bringing the feel of real humans playing.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: After getting a demo I usually do a quick idea of the string arrangement. Only first takes directly into Logic. I send the idea as a mp3 (strings only+whole arrangement) to the client and usually the client is happy with the result and then we go on re-recording everything to be able to deliver finals of the arrangement.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in Logic Pro with UA Apollo x 4 - thunderbolt soundcard and WA 47-jr microphone. If the client wants more of a dry signal, I use a T-Bone songshield when recording the strings.

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

A: I like listening to 1970's soul music and 1980's pop. I'm inspired by everything from the Motown sound to Bach!

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

A: Most commonly, I suggest a string arrangement to my client and then we collaborate to settle the arrangement. After that I record finals and deliver wav.-files ready for the mix.