30 + years pro recording exp

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

A: During the lockdown, I worked on a large ensemble project for the TV, Film and Video Game composer Lenny Moore. He decided to record (all remotely) an album of some of his original music featuring many of the session players he's hired over the years. I was quite honored to be the guitarist.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm in the middle of doing a musical theater show.

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

A: Ziv Shalev, guitarist

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They're both good at different things. I believe in a gestalt approach.

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

A: I promise that I will give your song or project 110% of what I'm able to do.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love playing and creating music!

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

A: What are your rates? Answer ... It depends.

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

A: That we (session players or mix engineers) can turn a bad song into a good song.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What style or type of guitar do you like when you're listening to your favorite music?

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

A: Don't be afraid to ask questions about what I can (or cannot) provide for you.

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

A: Assuming there's electricity ... Fender Telecaster, Gretsch Electromatic, 1964 Bassman amp, Martin D-35, Nobels ODR-1

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

A: I've been doing this since I was 15 years old and making a living at it since I was 21.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Sophisticated and elegant Rocker with soul.

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

A: Donald Fagen. Because he hires the best of the best.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Roll off everything below 40hz and don't try to fill up every hole.

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

A: Rock, R&B, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Americana, Ambient and various world styles (Reggae, Afro-Beat, Celtic).

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think that groove and time are probably my strongest assets. I can also be quite sophisticated harmonically if necessary.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My main goal when adding guitar to a song is to support the vocal (or the instrumental melody).

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I listen to the song or piece and solidify what I feel it needs guitar-wise. If needed or requested I usually start with acoustic, then I get into adding some electric rhythm parts and then, if needed (or requested) - lead or melodic guitar parts.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: A simple but effective studio set-up. I record with a Universal Audio Twin X Quad interface into a Mac. I can either do it completely "in the box" or I can mic amps and guitars.

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

A: Alan Parsons, Miles Davis, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Keith Jarrett, Jeff Beck, Tony Visconti.

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

A: Recording electric and acoustic guitar parts for artists' projects. I also do a fair amount of soundtrack work.