Drew Smyser on SoundBetter

With a diversity of experience in genres from the expected to unexpected, Drew is a talented and intentional session musician specializing in creating sounds and moments that will elevate your songs.

Create the sounds and tones you are looking for on your song, you can have peace of mind that you'll be walking away with what works best for you. This is your song: don't hesitate to bring ideas, your reference tracks, or even your "can you get me tones like [artist name] or similar to [insert song name here]?" questions to best get your recordings sounding the way you want.

No two projects are alike, some call for a "less is more" approach and others require a "MORE is more" outlook - I have the ability and a plethora of gear on demand in my studio to suit the needs of your project.

I would be honored to work with you whether it's electric guitar, bass, or acoustic guitar (or a combination of the three.)

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

Languages

English

1 Reviews

Endorse Drew Smyser

by Jacob
I've worked with Drew on multiple rock and indie projects, and have been happy with the results we've achieved in our work. He is willing to both incorporate creative ideas, as well as take direction from a production standpoint, to achieve the overall goal in a work. I recommend Drew especially for bass and guitar work.

Interview with Drew Smyser

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be yourself and use me to create the project you want!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Eric Johnson signature semi-hollow Stratocaster, my 2x12 Vox AC15, EHX Deluxe Memory Man (big box), my vintage Fender Precision Bass that was made in Korean (yes, Korea!), and my BK Butler Tube Driver.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Being able to go with the flow while still delivering exceptional results. If someone has specific notes, parts, directions, etc. for me then I can provide great results. If they send me a track and say "I need guitar/bass on this song." I can provide great results.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Whatever is needed, whatever may take the song to the next level. One of the best compliments I ever got was from a producer who said "I think I need to go back and re-record all these previous instruments after hearing what you did!"
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I love to listen, I am a music lover first. When I'm on a long leash to create my own guitar parts, I listen through what I'm working on and let my mind run as to what kind of sounds/parts just jump out at me. I usually put down a good number of different guitar parts before really honing-in on what the song needs. For bass, things are typically more simple. Playing the bass parts a song wants or needs comes a little more naturally to me. I'll play through the track and usually after 1-3, I have exactly what I want to do ready to record. If the part needs to sound a certain way I'll spend some time dialing that in too.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My home studio is a place all its own. As far as appearance, it's a guitar/bass/pedalboard haven. I have tons of pedal and guitars/basses I utilize to organically get tones and sounds. It has the proper space for me to spread out a set up either of my own creation or one of my mainstay boards to dial in tones. I run a stereo pair of mics on whichever amp(s) I'm using. For bass, I mainly use a Neve DI that sounds fantastic. From a audio standpoint, I keep it simple with some M-Audio BX8a monitors, a simple 4 input interface, and running Logic Pro as my DAW. Nothing to write home about, it works and sounds great, what more can I say?
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Synth pop, R&B, hip-hop, etc. genres where guitars aren't usually the main instrumental focus have always been fun projects to participate in. It's that challenge of "what can I offer that elevates this song without stealing the focus" that brings out some great things in me that weren't part of my foundation (i.e. classic rock, blues, alternative rock, praise & worship, etc.)