CUSTOM BASS RECORDING

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

A: Over the years I have had the chance to work with many of my favorite artists. My biggest dream always has been to play with SADE at some point. I am a huge fan of her music since I was a little kid, and just love all of it!

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

A: There is tons of them. Some of my fave bassists are: Richard Bona, Willie Weeks, Anthony Jackson, Sharay Reed, Charles Mingus, Tim Lefebvre, Claus Fischer, Pino Palladino, Paul S. Denman, Leonard "Hub" Hubbard, Tal Wilkenfeld, Sean Malone, Geddy Lee... and there would be many, many more to mention...

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

A: Gert Kapo´s album "Amanet" - I really love the music, stellar cast of musicians and it was a lot of fun to record the album. I played bass and was responsible for production management - overseeing the process from entering the recording studio to the finished CD / album. Also, Royal Street Orchestra´s album "metamorphose": It´s my own band, and with this album it was a long dreamt dream coming true, as we enhanced the band with a chamber orchestra. Creating the album was a really long and challenging process, and we succeeded in the end! I played bass, was involved in songwriting, production, mix, and finishing the album in a way it could be released.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Not much touring at the moment, so I have capacities to work on your projects. Working on my debut solo album, writing and pre-producing new music for it.

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

A: Since I am new here, not yet... but I am sure I will find people I know and would love to recommend...

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! Having done my first recording experiences in the mid-90s, I am happy to have gotten to know all of it as it used to be before the internet and all the digital possibilities. Even nowadays, I still have opportunities to work in analog settings, the way it used to be, and I love analog sound... At the same time, I am mind-blown about all which is possible in the digital world right now. We would not have dared to dream of it 30 years ago. Of course, it also depends a lot on the music and the situation of a project. Does the music ask for full analog? Does the budget allow it? or: Can a good solution can be found in the digital world? In the end I guess, it is a mix of both, depending on context and situation.

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

A: That the process of cooperation will be fun and their project will improve in comparison to what it was before I added my contribution to it.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that it still allows me to learn and grow, to experience all the things I did experience so far, while still staying curious and maintaining the playfulness of a little kid.

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

A: Q: Can you do it? A: Yes!

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

A: That it can be replaced by AI and machines!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your goal with the project you are working on? What do you expect me to deliver in that context?

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

A: Most importantly, please do communicate honestly and clearly, what it is you want and need. The more information you can share with me on what is important to you, what you want me to do, and what I should not do at all, the better. Please make sure that the mix you sent to me to play on is transparent and makes musical sense, so that is fun to play on and work with. If possible, you can also send stems, so I can adjust things the way I need them. If your music has lyrics and they are already written and sung, please make sure to send them along as well. It can be very helpful to know what a song is about, as it helps me to play with more emotion, sense and meaning. Once we have agreed that a project is finished, I expect to be payed right away. I am always dedicated to provide you with best possible results, so I expect the same in return and don´t want to wait for payments after a job is done!

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

A: 1. Sadowsky basses "Metroline 5 string jazz bass" 2. Höfner violin bass 3. My Rheingold Music stack 4. UAD Apollo 5. Mac Book Pro

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

A: I have been playing bass for over 30 years now. Have been fascinated by the bass already as a little kid, so it made sense that it found me at some point, after I had started my way in music on classical guitar and piano. When I touched a bass for the first time, I immediately knew, that that was what I wanted to do. To this day, this has not changed, and I was and still am so lucky to (have) work(ed) with so many musicians of many different styles and from all over the world. I have by now experienced way more than I ever would have expected. I am still very curious and open to making new experiences and learning new things I did not know so far. I think, this is one of the greatest things about being a musician... that the process of learning and growing never stopps.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Flexible, intuitive, emotional - I love to play for the song and the music in the first place - I love to play in a way which makes every note have sense and a meaning.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Even if the music is intricate and complicated, always try to make things as simple as possible.

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

A: As you can listen in my sound examples, there really many different styles of music I love playing and listening to. But if I feel that I am not the right guy for your project, I will honestly tell you so and possibly refer you to a colleague who might be a better fit!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Love and dedication to music and what I do, sensitivity, attention for details.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: First of all, GROOVE, pocket, a strong glue, good feel and sound. The rest depends on what it is you need!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It depends on what you want me to do. If you want me to play what you have written or programmed, exactly as you did it, only with my sound, I will do exactly that as good as possible. If you want me to get creative and offer what I feel is right for your song, I will take the time to listen to the song many times and learn it that way. Then, I will mostly offer you 2 takes of the song. One would be a "bread and butter" take, which focusses on pocket and groove. The second will have some extras like fills alternative versions of certain parts. That way you always have a couple more options and can be flexible in your creative process, as your project develops. If any revisions are necessary, we can discuss these via mail or zoom call. After having received detailed instructions from you, I will execute the revisions. Once you are happy with the final result, I will send you an invoice. After I have received the payment, you will receive the final files you can work with.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: With the instrument of choice, I go into various DI direct boxes / preamps, such as Summit Audio TD 100 tube di, Jad Freer "Capo" or the "Basswitch". The choice which one to go for is made depending on instrument, the aesthetics and the sound I wanna go for. These signals are then sent to my UAD Apollo interface, and from there to either Logic Pro X or ProTools, depending on what is your DAW of choice. On request, I can also additionally record an amp / cab microphone signal through my Rheingold Music tube amp and cabs... If the music asks for it, it´s possible to add sound-altering pedals like octavers and similar to all of it. In any case, you will always get at least one clean and unprocessed track plus additional extra sounds we have agreed upon. That way you can always have maximum flexibility for your mixing process. The files delivered will be WAV-files in the resolution of your project. For an additional charge, I can also record a video of myself playing your song and provide you with an MP4 file of that performance. For bigger projects with according budgets, it´s also possible to work together with engineers / studios I have a long standing relationship and cooperation with.

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

A: I record bass tracks for your album or demo productions. I am trying to find the right aesthetics for every project. So, the sound and style can go in many different directions: fretted / fretless / electric / acoustic The files you will receive will always be flawlessly executed and in pristine quality.