Record producer, audio engineer, session musician, and proud studio owner based in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area. I specialize in producing all band genres, including rock, indie, punk, metal, and more. Additionally, I have a deep passion for working with singer-songwriters, country, and folk artists.
I am the owner of ModernTone Studios and with over 25 years experience in the music industry, I have had the privilege of collaborating with talented artists and being credited on hundreds of commercial recordings. I am here to transform your musical ideas into recordings that will stand the test of time. I take great pride in helping you create music you can be truly proud of.
ModernTone offers a fantastic acoustic environment and is equipped with top-of-the-line analog gear to give your songs the rich, full sound they deserve. My approach combines classic recording techniques with a modern touch, ensuring a world-class sonic experience.
As a multi-instrumentalist, I bring my skills on electric guitar, bass, and keys to the table. Additionally, I have an extensive network of exceptional musicians that we can hire as session players to further enhance your project.
Pricing varies depending on the complexity of the arrangement and the session musicians required to fully realize your vision. Upon sending an inquiry, I'll promptly provide you with a basic proposal. Once we establish the scope of your project, I will update your job description and pricing accordingly.
To help me understand your musical style and goals, please include a demo of the music we will be working on. Even a phone recording will suffice! I'm excited to embark on this musical journey with you.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Credits
Discogs verified credits for Jacob Light- Andy Shulman Band
- Tom Rican
- Tom Rican
- Tom Rican
- Tess Stevens
- Tess Stevens
- Nolan Simons
- Eudora Rose
- Tom Rican
- Demetri Leones
- Ava Toton
- Eudora Rose
- Ava Toton
- Ava Toton
- Jackie Jo Singer
- Marlo.
- Andy Shulman Band
- Abby Hallett
- Ava Toton
- Payne (8)
- Michael Patrick Murphy
- Briget Boyle
- Tess & The Details
- Lipstick (50)
- Marlo.
- The UnConcord
- Tom Rican
- Andy Shulman Band
- Tom Rican
- Tom Rican
- Tom Rican
- Tess Stevens
- Tess Stevens
- Nolan Simons
- Eudora Rose
- Tom Rican
- Demetri Leones
- Ava Toton
- Eudora Rose
- Ava Toton
- Ava Toton
- Jackie Jo Singer
- Marlo.
- Andy Shulman Band
- Abby Hallett
- Ava Toton
- Payne (8)
- Briget Boyle
- Tess & The Details
- Lipstick (50)
- Marlo.
- The UnConcord
- Tom Rican
- Andy Shulman Band
- Tom Rican
- Tom Rican
- Tom Rican
- Tess Stevens
- Tess Stevens
- Nolan Simons
- Eudora Rose
- Tom Rican
- Demetri Leones
- Ava Toton
- Eudora Rose
- Ava Toton
- Ava Toton
- Jackie Jo Singer
- Marlo.
- Andy Shulman Band
- Abby Hallett
- Ava Toton
- Payne (8)
- Michael Patrick Murphy
- Briget Boyle
- Various
- Tess & The Details
- Lipstick (50)
- Marlo.
- The UnConcord
- Tom Rican
25 Reviews
Endorse Jacob Light- check_circleVerified (Client)
Jacob was a pleasure to work with! Excellent communication and an extremely professional producer. Highly recommended!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
It was great working with Jacob. He really went to bat for me when the job turned out to entail more work than I originally thought and got me extra compensation. He really takes care of his musicians!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Real pleasure to work with Jacob. He is always very professional, always has all the data, session’s info and notes right away, great communicator. Looking forward to doing more projects with Jacob!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Jacob was easy to work with, kind, and professional!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Love working with Jacob. Great quality tracks, quick and clear communication. Thanks Jacob!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Jacob is such a wonderful artist/producer. Every collaboration brings unique and beautiful results.
Thanks so much Jacob! - check_circleVerified (Client)
Love working with Jacob. Gives great direction and feedback and is a pleasure to create music with. Cheers!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Another beautiful project done with Jacob! What an amazing artist :)
- check_circleVerified (Client)
So happy to work with Jacob again. Really fun tracks. Always quick and clear with his communication. A pleasure. Thank you Jacob and see you again soon!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Jacob is always easy to work with! He always has all the data and info right away, great communication and fun projects. Total pro!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Amazing to work with!! Thank you for your trust!!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Great track and easy to work with. Clear instructions/ feedback given.
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Great workflow, excellent tracks, a very fun project!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Really enjoyed laying down piano on a few tracks for Jacob for an artist he's producing. He was great to work with through the whole process and I think we got a great final product. Definitely hope to do more. Cheers!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
I love working with Jacob. Super easy! Great tracks, quick and clear communication. Thanks again Jacob!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Enjoyed working with Jacob- easy going, great communication, cool project. It was fun working on it. Looking forward to do more in the future.
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Really fun project in one of the genres I enjoy the most! Jacob was super clear with instructions, which made things easy. Thank you!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Amazing producer, he was very clear, easy to communicate with, all really good. Hope to work with him in the near future! Highly recommended!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Amazing to work with!! We just loved!!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
It was a pleasure working with Jacob! Deftly produced tracks and easy communication. Many thanks!!
Interview with Jacob Light
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I specialize in producing all band genres (rock, indie, punk, metal, etc.) and love working with singer-songwriters, country, and folk artists.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My job is to elevate your music. I have years of experience crafting memorable melodies, writing powerful lyrics, and arranging songs in a way that brings out the best in each composition. Whether you're a singer-songwriter developing your material or a band looking to refine your sound, I can help you achieve your musical goals. I have a deep understanding of music theory and can help you develop complex harmonies, unique chord progressions, and memorable hooks. I'm also skilled at arranging music for live performance, whether you need a stripped-down acoustic version of your song or a full orchestration. We’ll work together to make sure your music stands out in a crowded market and connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. As a session musician, I've played on countless recordings across a wide range of genres. Whether you're looking for a killer guitar solo, a driving bass line, or a captivating synth part, I can deliver a polished, original performance that seamlessly complements your music. I specialize in crafting unique musical parts that blend beautifully with one another, infusing an extra layer of depth and creativity to your tracks. From laying down a solid rhythm foundation to crafting intricate counter melodies and playing catchy instrumental hooks, I deliver the perfect finishing touches to any project.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I combine classic recording and mixing techniques with modern tools and workflows to capture the best possible sound and performance for each project. I’m all about crafting the perfect tone on the day of the recording, rather than relying on fixing issues later in the mix. For me, recording is an art form and I approach it as such - from choosing the right preamp to creating rich-sounding combinations of effects and outboard gear. At every stage of the production process, I work tirelessly to ensure that the music is captured and presented in the best possible way. From pre-production planning to tracking, mixing, and mastering, I'm committed to delivering recordings that are polished, professional, and sound amazing on any platform.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work out of ModernTone Studios - a multi-room facility I designed and built in 2017, after years of performing, recording, and working in studios around the world. Located in beautiful Lafayette, CA - in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, the studio offers multiple recording spaces for optimal results. The layout includes the control room, live room, vocal booth and three isolation booths in various sizes, each meticulously tuned to sound just right. We operate a hybrid analog/digital recording environment featuring all analog front-end (Preamps, EQ’s, Compressors) and a digital back-end (Pro Tools / Universal Audio).
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I make records that marry major label production with indie heart and soul. I approach each project with enthusiasm and an open mind, eager to learn about each artist's unique voice, style, and vision. My production philosophy revolves around the belief that music should connect with its audience on a deep emotional level. That's why I'm committed to bringing out the best in every artist I work with, honing their sound to create powerful, authentic, and inspiring records. I pride myself on being versatile and believe that great songs can be made in any genre. From pop to punk, blues to folk, I love telling stories through music.
- ProducerContact for pricing
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $350 per song
- Recording StudioContact for pricing
- Electric GuitarAverage price - $150 per song
- Ghost ProducerContact for pricing
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $125 per track
- Dialogue EditingContact for pricing
50% deposit to book, 50% balance due when I am ready to release the first mix. One mix revision included. $100 for each revision beyond that. Turn-around times vary and are project-dependent.
- Pro Tools + UAD
- Analog Front-End (Trident
- CAPI
- Vintech)
- TONS of Outboard (Neve 543's
- LA-2A
- DBX 160XT's)
- Peluso 22 251
- United FET-47
- EV V2 Ribbon (1940's)
- HUGE collection of vintage guitars
- amps
- pedals
- and microphones