Producer and Beatmaker

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

A: I've been working on the career of my friend DJ Lano for 2 years now, and we've made some big progress recently, achieving half a million streams on Spotify and performing gigs every weekend. He's a brilliant funk DJ and there's still a lot of room to grow, so that's very exciting.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: There's a pop-rock EP to be released in the next few months, I'm also working on live performance for a client, and a lot of hip-hop/pop singles in the oven, all of them for Brazilian clients.

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

A: I'm just arriving, but there are some real heavyweights around here. I'm sure anyone would do a great job within their areas of expertise.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: A bit of both. Digital is cheaper and there's almost nothing it cannot do, even emulating analog gear. But analog gear has that something about tweaking knobs and fiddling faders that every producer loves!

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

A: You will get every attention your track deserves, and it will sound professional.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Working from home, flexibility and the possibility to make people's dreams come true.

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

A: "How did you come up with that sound?" "Did you play that?" I often share a bit of my process with them when these questions come up.

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

A: Creativity is not about inspiration or gift, it's a driven exercise of mental focus.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: - Where do you see yourself as an artist (in terms of career stage); - What playlists do you want to get listed on; - What's your strategy for releases in the near future; - What's your sign (jk, I don't believe in signs)

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

A: Find the one that matches your style, and one that's willing to give you the attention you deserve.

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

A: Definitely a guitar... also a good notebook, an interface, a cheap microphone and a keyboard that I could also use as a MIDI controller.

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

A: I play music since I was 15, but I didn't see it as a professional path initially. I went to pharmacy school and kept music as a (pretty damn serious) hobby until some 5 years ago (2017), when I decided to go to music production school. Ever since this day I've been producing music as a business.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Sophisticated, unexpected, modern.

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

A: Since I'm not a singer, working with great singers is always a big joy for me, so I'd say names like Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Jessie J, to name a few.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't be afraid to listen to your own sound. I know, in the beginning it's awkward like seeing your own image, but it's a necessary thing if you intend to keep growing as an artist and learn more about your strengths and weaknesses.

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

A: Mostly urban genres (Pop, hip hop, brazilian funk).

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Adaptability.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A complementary point of view: what else can the references of the song bring to it? What other references could also be incorporated into the track? How do we make it stand out without running away from the intended style?

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First, I get to listen to what the client is expecting for that track, the intended references, and do my best to really understand the music at its deepest levels. After that, I scratch 2 - 3 ideas and send to the client to see what best matches the initial idea of the track. These scratches are usually made of a bassline, a supporting melody, and the bulk of a beat (kick, snare and hats, mostly), parts A and B. With the "path" of the track defined, I go on and add the rest of the beat, harmonies, effects and transitions, as well as the final form of the song (intro, verse, chorus, bridge, outro, etc).

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a treated room with a pair of Yamaha's HS-5 for monitors, connected to a Scarlett 4i4 interface. I have an AT-2020 microphone and an M-20x for headphones. My main MIDI controller is a Nektar Impact LX25+, but I often use my Roland Juno Stage as a controller as well (especially when I need more keys). For instruments, I have a Fender Telecaster and a Yamaha TRB bass. My main pedal is a Mooer GE200.

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

A: Dr. Dre, Anderson Paak, Ryan Tedder, Mark Ronson, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Anitta, Michael League, John Mayer, and Brian May (because he's also a brilliant scientist as well as the guitarist for Queen).

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

A: Beats, instrumentals, melodies, accompaniments and arranging in general