Music Composers & Sound Design

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

A: We are particularly proud of our work on the documentary 'Te Vaanui', which narrates the profound and spiritual odyssey of Ismael. This project deeply resonated with us, as it was an enriching human adventure that we had the opportunity to musically encapsulate. Our role in composing the music for this documentary allowed us to explore and express the deep spiritual and emotional layers of the story, making it a truly fulfilling and memorable experience. The project highlighted our ability to convey powerful human emotions and experiences through our music.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently, we are focused on composing albums for sync labels. This work involves creating diverse and innovative tracks that can be synchronized with various media forms, such as film, television, and advertisements. These projects allow us to experiment with different musical styles and themes, continually challenging and refining our skills in music production.

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

A: We are relatively new to the SoundBetter community and haven't had the opportunity to connect with other professionals on the platform yet. However, we are eager to build relationships and collaborate with other talented individuals here. While we don’t have specific recommendations at this moment, we look forward to discovering and possibly recommending fellow artists and professionals in the future as we expand our network within this vibrant community.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: We value both analog and digital formats, utilizing each for their unique strengths. Our approach is to blend the warmth and character of analog gear with the precision and versatility of digital tools. This fusion of both worlds allows us to develop a distinctive sound that leverages the best of both technologies, offering unparalleled creative flexibility and quality in our music production.

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

A: Our promise to our clients is to deliver high-quality, emotionally resonant, and uniquely tailored music that not only meets but exceeds their expectations. We commit to a collaborative and adaptable approach, ensuring that each project reflects the client’s vision while benefiting from our creative and technical expertise.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What we love most about our job is the endless opportunity for creativity. Each project is a new canvas, allowing us to explore diverse musical landscapes, experiment with different sounds, and craft unique auditory experiences. This creative freedom not only fuels our passion but also constantly challenges and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in music production.

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

A: Question: "How do you ensure the music aligns with our vision and project requirements?" Answer: "We start by thoroughly understanding your vision and requirements, and maintain open communication throughout the process. We adapt our style to fit your needs, ensuring the music not only meets but enhances your project." Question: "Can you adapt to different musical styles?" Answer: "Absolutely. Our diverse experience and skill set allow us to traverse a wide range of musical genres, ensuring versatility and adaptability to different styles." Question: "What's the turnaround time for a project?" Answer: "The timeline varies depending on the project's complexity and requirements. We prioritize efficient and quality work, ensuring timely delivery while maintaining high standards

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

A: The biggest misconception about our work is that it's solely about creating music that sounds good. While the aesthetic quality is crucial, our work goes much deeper. It involves understanding the emotional and narrative context of a project, adapting to various styles, and creating a sound that not only complements but enhances the overall experience. It's not just about the technical aspects of music production; it's equally about storytelling, emotional resonance, and creating a unique auditory experience that aligns with the colaborators's vision.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1."What is the primary emotion or message you want to convey through your music?" 2."Do you have any specific influences or styles you'd like us to consider or incorporate?" 3."Are there any particular sounds, instruments, or textures you prefer?" 4."What are your expectations regarding the timeline and key milestones for the project?" 5."Do you have any existing material, like demos or reference tracks, that can give us a clearer idea of your vision?" 6."How do you envision our collaboration process, and what are your communication preferences?"

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

A: When looking to hire a music production professional like us, focus on finding someone who aligns with your artistic vision and understands the emotional core of your project. Evaluate their versatility, willingness to collaborate, and ability to bring a unique perspective to your work. It’s crucial to establish clear communication and mutual respect. Look for professionals who demonstrate a commitment to quality and have a portfolio that resonates with your style and aspirations. Finally, trust is key – choose someone who you believe will enhance your project while staying true to your artistic identity.

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

A: If limited to just five pieces of gear on a desert island, we would choose: 1.A versatile, high-quality synthesizer, like one from Arturia, for its wide range of sounds and creative possibilities. 2.An SSL mixing console for its exceptional sound quality and reliability in mixing and mastering. 3.A durable laptop with a comprehensive DAW, essential for recording, editing, and producing music. 4.A pair of high-fidelity headphones for accurate sound monitoring. 5.A robust, multi-functional audio interface, like the Antelope, to ensure seamless integration of all our gear.

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

A: Our journey in music production has been a blend of passion, continuous learning, and adaptation to the evolving landscape of the industry. We've been dedicated to this craft for several years, during which we have honed our skills in composing and sound design. Our path has been marked by a consistent drive to innovate and a commitment to excellence, which has led us to work on a variety of projects ranging from dynamic music tracks to scoring for films and documentaries. Each project has been a stepping stone, further enriching our experience and expertise in the field.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Our style is best described as eclectic and innovative, blending a wide range of musical influences to create unique sonic experiences. We specialize in crafting music that is not only technically proficient but also emotionally resonant and memorable. Our approach often includes a mix of contemporary and retro elements, combining modern production techniques with classic sounds. We thrive on creating music that is both adaptable and distinctive, tailored to fit the specific needs of each project while maintaining a high level of artistic integrity and creativity.

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

A: We would be thrilled to work with an artist like Trent Reznor. His innovative approach to blending electronic and traditional music elements, combined with his skill in creating deeply atmospheric and emotionally engaging soundscapes, aligns closely with our own values and creative aspirations. Collaborating with an artist of his caliber and vision would not only challenge us but also provide a unique opportunity to explore new musical territories and push the boundaries of our own creative capabilities.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One key tip in music production is to always prioritize the emotional intent of the piece. Regardless of the technical aspects or complexity of the composition, the most important factor is how the music resonates with and impacts the listener. Focus on crafting a sound that genuinely conveys the intended mood and story. This can involve careful layering of sounds, thoughtful arrangement, and sometimes simplicity over complexity. Remember, the most technically perfect track might not always be the most emotionally compelling. It's the feeling that the music evokes in the listener that truly defines its success.

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

A: We typically work on a wide range of music types, reflecting our versatile approach to music production. Our projects often include dynamic and playful tracks with retro, arcade, and electronica, modern rock and metal, orchestral and hybrid sounds as well as more atmospheric and emotionally-driven compositions for documentaries and films. We are adept at creating music that ranges from oceanic and spiritual to dystopian and melancholic, catering to the unique needs of each audiovisual project. This diversity in our work showcases our ability to adapt to various genres and themes, making each project distinct and impactful.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Our strongest skill lies in our ability to create bespoke and emotionally impactful music compositions and sound designs. We excel in understanding and translating the vision of our collaborators into sonically rich and diverse audio experiences. Our proficiency in blending various musical styles and sounds, along with our dedication to innovation and quality, sets us apart. We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to different genres and requirements, ensuring that each project we undertake is both unique and reflective of our high standards in music production.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: What we bring to a song is a blend of innovation, authenticity, and a keen sense of musicality. Our approach combines technical expertise with creative flair, ensuring that each song we work on is not only technically sound but also emotionally resonant and unique. We focus on enhancing the song's intrinsic qualities while adding our signature touch, be it through dynamic arrangements, atmospheric soundscapes, or captivating melodies. Our goal is to elevate the song, making it a memorable and impactful piece that resonates with both the artist and their audience.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Our typical work process is marked by a constant and dedicated approach, with a strong work ethic at the core of our operations. We are deeply committed to serving our collaborators to the best of our abilities. This commitment involves constantly adapting to their needs and requests, ensuring that every project we undertake meets their specific requirements and expectations. Our flexibility and dedication to quality are integral to our work philosophy, enabling us to deliver tailored, high-quality musical solutions for a wide range of projects.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Our studio is designed with ergonomics and acoustic treatment in mind, providing an ideal environment for music production. We're equipped with SSL equipment, standard 19-inch rack units, and a range of instruments including Fender and Kiezel guitars, Fender basses, and Arturia keyboards. For audio processing, we rely on Antelope sound cards and an array of top-notch plugins from renowned brands like Native Instruments, Spitfire Audio, iZotope, and FabFilter. This setup ensures we have the versatility and quality needed to produce exceptional music across various genres.

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

A: We draw inspiration from a diverse array of musicians and music production professionals, each known for their unique contributions to the industry. Ludwig Goransson's versatile scoring, Hans Zimmer's epic and emotionally resonant compositions, Jacob Collier's innovative use of harmony and technology, Thomas Newman's distinctively atmospheric soundtracks, Devin Townsend's progressive and boundary-pushing music, Jon Hopkins' blend of electronic and acoustic elements, and David Maxim Micic's fusion of various genres deeply influence our creative process. These artists' mastery in blending traditional and contemporary elements pushes us to constantly evolve and broaden our musical horizons.

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

A: At Astronotes, our most common type of work involves crafting innovative and authentic music compositions and sound designs to enrich our clients’ synchronization catalogs and meet the expectations of music supervisors. We specialize in creating bespoke sonic universes that enhance the uniqueness of audiovisual productions, along with developing distinctive and memorable brand sound identities. Our expertise extends across various projects, including dynamic music tracks with retro, arcade, electronica, orchestral and modern rock as well as scoring for documentaries and films, reflecting a wide range of emotions and themes.