Matt Crawford on SoundBetter

I am an audio engineer with experience in a large variety of styles and media. I have recorded musicians, spoken word, and sound effects, and well as editing and mixing. I have over 20 years professional experience as a drummer n many styles of music, including Jazz, Pop, Rock, and shows.

I have toured the country multiple times with shows such as Chicago and Cats, and have worked with artists such as Michael Bolton and Petula Clark. I am currently working in the NYC area as a drummer.

I have worked as an audio engineer with such artists as Steve Miller and Keith Richards

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Credits

1 Reviews

Endorse Matt Crawford

by J. Aaron Boykin
I have worked with Matt for over 10 years - as a drummer and as an engineer. His experience over many genres still impresses me to this day. Pop, Funk, R&B, Rock, Country - you name it, he’s a OUTSTANDING musician that just “gets it.” I can honestly say I wouldn’t trust anyone else to play for me or my tracks.

Interview with Matt Crawford

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked with TJ Masters. A wonderful musician and song writer. We recorded and mixed his entire album analog to 24 track 2" tape. A fun, artistic project. I was recording engineer and mixing engineer.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: No one Im yet aware of, but Im sure if there are I would highly recommend them.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Pick a format and get to work. I have worked with both. I love analog, you can't beat the sound quality, but we live in a digital age and it has really gotten much much better over the years.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That I will do my best possible work at all times
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Hearing great music, and seeing happy faces when clients have achieved the sound they are looking for
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How quickly and professionally sounding, and how much will it cost? My answer: There are three things to every project: Good, Fast and Cheap: You are allowed to pick any two of the three.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Most laypersons seem to think that recording or mixing music is a simple fun task. Somedays and in someways they are correct. But what they don't and could never see are the many hours or study and practice it took to be able to do this type of work.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are your favorite artists to listen to? Is your demo close to the sound you are looking for? Are you open to try multiple versions of your material?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be excited about your music. Be open minded to trying new things and new ideas that might help your music become the best it can be. And don't be afraid or discouraged of mistakes or failure. Often mistakes turn into new ideas and there is no such thing as failure.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A drumset, a guitar, a bass, any recording medium, and a 57 to build things with if I didn't have a hammer.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Ive been a professional musician for 25 years and an audio engineer for 10. My goal is to work with talented artists who want to make great music
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Positive. Finding whats good and making it shine
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Andy Partridge. What an amazing song writer, musician, and producer
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen. Listen. Listen.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Any and all types are welcome
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Recording, mixing, mastering and drumming
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Emotion and clarity are to important aspects, but mostly it is listening to what the song is asking for. I like to approach material by saying, what is great about the song and how can I bring that out, as opposed to what is wrong with the song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Depends on the job. I like to work efficiently and quickly but with lots of listening and discussions with the client on what goals they are trying to achieve with their sound.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Pretty simple Pro Tools and Logic Pro set ups. Some out board gear. Small room with drum kit always mic'd up and ready.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Any that do good work and are happy to please their clients. I do enjoy though the craftsmen such as Geoff Emerick, Glyn Johns, and many other talented engineers.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Recording, mixing and mastering. I have worked with music artists as well as post production audio for film in all aspects of score, dialog and sound fx. I have also performed on clients tracks as drummer, guitarist, bassists and backing vocals.