Paurl Walsh on SoundBetter

I will amplify what makes your music unique through a creative combo of mixing, producing, and composing techniques.

I have 15+ years of experience in the studio as a producer/engineer, I'm a conservatory trained classical composer with dozens of successful scores for dance/contemporary performance works, and I was an owner/operator of a commercial studio for 12 years. I've worked with rock, folk, and metal bands, avant jazz, electronic music, and in all sorts of experimental modalities, from harsh noise to longform ambient drone.

My philosophy is a bit contrary to the "radio-ready" and "competitive" concept of music production that seems so prevalent today. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but if we were all doing that sort of thing there would never be any new ideas. As a composer, I don't want my music to sound like anyone else's. And as a producer, I don't want YOUR music to sound like anyone else.

Right now I'm offering two main services:
Mixing/Producing - I will mix your song and add any elements it needs to pop and be the most impactful it can be.
Composer Orchestral - I will add an orchestral accompaniment/underscore to your song. It can be a full size orchestra, just a few sections of the orchestra, or even another non-classical type accompaniment.

The two services can be combined for a discount.
Get in touch about your specific project, there may be more discounts.

I'm brand new to SoundBetter! Book me and get your first mix 1/2 off!

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Paurl Walsh

Kelly James Wyse*
Rainbows (6)
Blessed Blood
somesurprises
RN White*
Kole Galbraith
somesurprises
U Sco
Rainbows (6)
somesurprises
Isenordal
Isenordal / Void Omnia
Fucked & Bound
Jacuzzi Boys (2)
U Sco
Rainbows (6)
somesurprises
Isenordal
Isenordal / Void Omnia
Fucked & Bound
Blessed Blood
somesurprises
Medina/Walsh
Kelly James Wyse*
RN White*
Kole Galbraith
Fucked & Bound
Isenordal
somesurprises

6 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Paurl Walsh

by Logan M.
Verified
Paurl Walsh is the real deal. We got started right away and he sent me the first round of files within a few hours! Same day service, better than Amazon Prime. Thank you Paurl!

Cheers
by Frank T.
Verified
I very much appreciate Paurl’s tireless commitment to getting things the way you want it (even if you don’t always know precisely what you wanted)
by Frank T.
Verified
What can I say? Paurl is an extraordinary person and accomplished in every relevant facet of recording. His prices are more than fair and he solves problems and is a fount of knowledge to tap when needed. You want this guy on your team! You’re welcome.
by Natasha El-Sergany
I have worked with Paurl on two full-length LPs and one EP for my four-piece band somesurprises. During all sessions Paurl was great to work with both sonically and personally. Working together expanded the possibilities of the songs and helped us to reach our full potential. The positive feedback we continue to receive for these records often involves the production and atmosphere of the music, which Paurl was critical in shaping. I highly recommend Paurl if you are looking to collaborate with a gifted artist with excellent ears and taste who will help bring out the best in your music!
by Josh Medina
Paurl and I have collaborated on at least 4 different albums. Most recently he engineered, produced and mixed my band somesurprises new album Perseids. Paurl is always great to work with. He simultaneously is able to realize and honor my vision, while using his own creative talents to expand my music with new ideas and approaches I never would’ve thought of. Can’t recommend him enough! His expertise and technical prowess always elevates my work to the next level.
by Frank Tabbita
I am currently working on multiple projects with Paurl Walsh and can’t recommend him highly enough. Down to earth, knowledgeable in all aspects of musical endeavors, competent, helpful and most importantly, a really good human!

Interview with Paurl Walsh

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: In 2019 I premiered a new multimedia chamber work called BASCULE II. It was a piece written for string quartet, piano, electronics, and video performance.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I always have projects of my own going: I'm writing a new symphony recording for the City of Seattle. Multiple collaborations - a dark techno project, an ambient dub project, an electronic rock album Some recent client work: A new album by a great dreamy psych pop band called Somesurprises. Orchestrations and mixes for an excellent songwriter with elements of 60's psych pop, classic crooner, and musical theater. Mixing/producing for an experimental Seattle artist who mixes sound collage, harsh noise, drone, and ambient metal.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I'm new.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both obviously. Analog is a luxury many can't afford, but good god get some hardware if you can. I have a 16-track tape machine and I use it almost as much as the computer. Workflows that use both are really the best sonically, but using the tape machine and making a record without ever turning on the computer is a revelation if all you've been doing for the last 15 years is staring at waveforms in a DAW.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I'm not happy until you're happy. I'm often heavy handed and take liberties when I have a strong idea for something. But ultimately my job is to first understand, then fully realize, your artistic vision for the song, and then make it even better.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Every new project is a puzzle challenge I can get lost in.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's you vision for this song sonically? Examples of other productions? Themes? Inspiration? Musical influences?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Find the right match. It's the most important thing. Credits don't matter unless they're credits you like and are applicable to your project. Find the right fit. It's a creative partnership and if your partner doesn't REALLY understand your creativity it's not going to be a good partnership.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Teenage Engineering OP-1
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started recording myself at home on a 4-track reel to reel when I was 14. It went on from there. I started recording bands seriously for money in 2008, a few years after graduating from music school. So for the last 15 years I've been working professionally as both a composer and producer/engineer.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Aggressively characterful.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Scott Walker. His records have always featured incredible orchestral and experimental arrangements done by some of the greatest in the biz. He always pushed them into more dark experimental bizarre territory than they had done before and I would love to know where he would've pushed me. It's all about learning new things.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don't be afraid to try extreme things. In fact, start at the extremes and work your way back instead of the other way around. You will learn more.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock and Experimental music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Creativity.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: The ability to see it from a new angle without loosing the original idea.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It varies depending on what I'm working with, but basically: - Start by carefully listening to and analyzing the song. Where are the changes/sections? Where are the big moments that need to punch? What is the shape, the journey, the arc of the song, and how do I reinforce it? Theme? Lyrical content? This is much more important than the musical nuts and bolts of key, tempo, etc... - If there is a rhythm section I'll start there and get it sounding good. Get a pocket happening between the drums and bass. - Dial in any other rhythm instruments. - Move up the instrument list and stop when I get to things like solos/sfx overdubs/etc. - Work on this stripped down version of the band until it's bumping - Add in the vocal - Add in all the additional ear candy and solos and whatnot - Go back to the bottom and tweak the rhythm section to fit all the new stuff. - Buss processing/reverb/fx/etc. - Level/fx automation But honestly it really depends on the piece of music. I feel bad for any producer that does the exact same thing every time.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I'm now retired from commercial studio life and have a small composing/mixing studio in my backyard. It's small, but purpose-built, acoustically properly designed and well equipped. The single room is packed with synths and electronic instruments, rack gear, and a large 16-track 1-inch tape machine that barely fits. I have a vintage MCI mixdown deck in storage that I haven't figured out how jam in here yet. I'm obsessed with tape.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: There are so many. A few producers: Nigel Godrich, Dave Fridmann, Brian Eno, Steve Albini, Kurt Ballou,
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I've done a lot of different types of work over the years (which has made me a well rounded producer), but lately I've been mixing a lot of "bedroom" DIY home-recorded type projects. These are mostly just one person on their laptop with a crappy podcaster mic, DI'd guitars, and virtual instruments. To most producers this sounds like a nightmare (it is WAY harder than working with pro artists and you don't look as good), but I love it because every project is a new technical challenge of "how can I make this sound pro AND realize the artists vision", and witnessing the clients reaction to the first mix. It's always "I never knew my music could sound this good!!". It's empowering for them, and hopefully it inspires them to make more.