Sydney Galbraith on SoundBetter

Hey there, my name is Sydney and I make records. I’ve been involved in all kinds of records in all kinds of ways, whether it be producing, recording, mixing, even playing or writing on occasion. I can most often be found in downtown Toronto at Desert Fish Studios.

I work on a lot of differently styles and genres of music, and take a great deal of pride in making an artist or band sound like themselves on record, rather than trying to emulate their peers or other artists. My philosophy when it comes to making records in any capacity is that I’m here to make YOUR record, which means I make sure YOUR artistic vision come through in the way YOU’VE envision it. If we go further and you’re asking me to produce your record, you’re asking me to use my skills, taste, and experience to comment on, encourage, and polish your vision and your music alongside you. It’s about the music, and doing whatever needs to be done in order to service the music, and yourself as an artist, most effectively.

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Sydney Galbraith

Loreena McKennitt
Loreena McKennitt
Helix
Helix
Helix
Jesse Ryan
Chad Price
Chad Price
Dave Young
Phantom Atlantic
Manteca

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Interview with Sydney Galbraith

Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both, because they both have great benefits as well as pitfalls and problems.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Listening to new music every day, and being trusted to take someone's creation to the next level, to add to and polish a great musical idea.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That there's a gain to be had by working faster or trying to pack more work into a day. Musical, dynamic mixing takes time and patience, it takes breaks and rest to guarantee results.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Talk to me honestly about your goals, aspirations, and expectations. No one benefits from not having the right person for their music.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Be ruthless when deciding on orchestration/instrumentation. Does the song really need that extra guitar overdub? More harmonies? What are these things adding to the SONG.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Fresh ears, and a desire to be excited every time I listen. Whether that's from finding a new little gem of sound inside a mix, or just being blown away by the power of a great chorus every time around.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I try to get a feel for the song as a whole as quickly as possible so I can begin by building a strong foundation around the core musical ideas, rather than always starting with the same instrument only to find out later that there's another element that provides that foundation.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use an analog hybrid studio for the best of both worlds. I use only high end analog gear for that sound that digital just can't duplicate.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My favourite producers and mixers are all incredible listeners. Professionals like Rich Costey, Jeff Wolpert, Tchad Blake, and John Congleton all bring their taste and talent to whatever music they're working on, and they aren't easily pigeon holed. They work with the artist to achieve the best possible result and they leave their ego out of it.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: As a mixer, I take their songs to the next level through effective, dynamic mixing. This can involve a lot or a little, depending on the song. I can make it sound huge and bombastic like an explosive live performance or close and intimate like you're sitting in a living room with the artist.