Music Producer, Mix, Master

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

A: I am proud of all my projects, no matter how big or small they are, and that is not because of my role, it's actually because they came out of the colaboration of talented and wonderful artists - and that remained to this day!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: There are different projects going at a given time, both label related and also freelancing, but the main idea is that i am here to work on your future project , so somehow at the moment i am working on your project with this message! ;)

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Definitely, Claudiu Mirea is a great singer songwriter and guitarist that you can consider for your projects, and a Calin Grigoriu - a wondersful guitarist. Both acomplished musicians and lovely people.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, why not marry both worlds - there are good things in both domains and since i grew up with these things i came to see the pluses and the minuses , so it's just a matter of using a palette of expression acording to your needs.

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

A: Radio ready sound and music, and a laugh and and good friendship!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Meeting new people and the creative process - of making out of nothing - something!

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

A: Who are the mainstream artists i worked with. I say again, work ethics...

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That it seems to be easy and quick. I always say that it's about experience and work ethics ;)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Never had a set of questions :) But i will ask averything i need to know in order to make things as clear as possible so their project will be aligned in vision with the final product.

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

A: Please get in touch, and let's get to know eachother. I found out that the best way to a successful project is to have great communication and connection. Everything else will flow from that.

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

A: I get the question, but in a houmorous way i would say i still do not have solar powered gear. :)

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

A: I have started out in 1996, when i have released my first LP, and then i decided to create a studio in 1997. I have done that ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would say i am very adaptabile and never fall into patterns, i am actually loving challanges - where this specific theme of style is being challanges itself.

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

A: Again there are so many, and also during this time i have managed to work with artists i loved, so for me it happened in a way. I can only enourage you to dream about this and try to make it a reality from your own aspirations. Align yourself with your aspirations, meaning - do the work and get in touch with the artists you love! Why work with artists you love? Because you will do your best to be the best you can be so they can consider working with you.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Yes, please listen to well produced, mixed and mastered music and form an ear about it, it will help a great deal when you will start to mix your own.

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

A: During my 26 years as a songwriter /producer i have worked on every style and type of music, which is what is usualy work on, so in a sense i am not afraid to jump in any project and sound. But mainly Pop Music. There can be a discution about POP then and POP now - but the main thing that links these two will alays be melody and pioneering production and an understanding of what makes a song popular.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think the strongest skill is in the way i can combine all the skills required to deliver a finished quality product, along with my experience, and also a strong vocal melody and hook, which i think it's hard to find in most of todays productions.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Something that is always fresh and easy to recognize if heard on radio, somethign that identifies the artist and a sound that will be perceived as well produced. In the case there are remakes - i bring the exact sound required from the Era and the expertise in capturing that feel!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It's always different so i adapt it to the needs on my clients - so that will be somethign to talk about. :)

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My audio setup and studio evolved greatly since 1996 when i started out. It combines state of the art, new and old, both analogue and digital gear. From the SSL chanel strips to vintage synths like the SVC-350 vocoder MS-20, Mini Moog, Juno 106, Jupiter 6, TB-303, TR--808/909, SP1200 to modern day recreations by Behringer, DeepMind12, MPC X etc... there are more than 50+ such devices that comprise the hardware studio, with RME soundcards and Neumann mics, not to mention all the DAW and Plugins available. Manly a Cubase, Cakewalk, Ableton, Audition digital environment.

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

A: During the years there are so many that inspire that it's really hard to mention them all here. Like from Daft Punk to Dua Lipa. Just to find out later on that there were and are actualy a few handfull of producers that are responsible for moste of the artists i like and love. In the inspiration i have found from there producers i have managed to develom my own techniques and sound and also build up my confidence in a quality product.

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

A: I write songs , melody, full production and studio work, I take a project from 0 to the final Mix and Master. I program sounds and find unique tones that will fit with your project. I program my own beats on MPC X and MPC 2500 and i never use pre made beats.