I play the cello, bass, & piano and have performed internationally with Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson-Thomas, LSO, SF Symphony orchestra, & many others. I cross the boundaries of classical, jazz, rock, hip-hop, and beyond.
I play a custom Singleton 5-string. It has traditional jazz bass pickups as well as a set of hexaphonic pickups in the bridge. My 4 string modded Fender Jazz (PJ, Audere pre, drop C lever).
Recent musical projects have included:
Dark Matter Theory - a 3 piece power trio (bass & producer)
Down Low Connection - a 7 piece hip-hop band (bass, production, bandleader)
It's Our Time - international collaboration (executive producer & writer)
Sunrise2Sunrise - downtempo ambient meditation focused on solfeggio frequencies (artist, bass, producer, mixer)
more stuff that I'm involved with::
As a technologist, I have an extensive technology, telecommunications, and business career. While working as the Director of Streaming Operations for CBS Radio Corporate, I helped to build one of the largest streaming networks in the world. I also was able to develop real-time audio processing solutions which were rolled out to over 250 stations nationwide.
My passion for music and the creative process led to the creation and launch of MixLuv – a social platform designed for musicians, songwriters, and engineers to collaborate, create and manage their world of music online. I also launched a non-profit called Notes to the Soul, an organization whose purpose is to promote well-being through the language of music. Notes to the Soul is the parent organization of MusicMakers Workshop.
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Interview with Ray Archie
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked with my songwriting partner, Steph Singer, on a very cool modern classical piece called "The Moth". This was for an immersive dance experience with members of the New York City Ballet. The resulting EP was recently released on Independent Ear.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Sunrise2Sunrise Vol 2 and Vol 3. Volume 2 has a traditional Caribbean and Latin sound. Volume 3 is down-tempo soulful EDM (ala Sade or Rhye).
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will be impartial and will fight for their vision.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I LOVE to create. I love to 'sculpt' out a sound and find the genius that lies beneath.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Client: What's your hourly rate? Me: Depends.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Progressive with a traditional edge.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Lachi
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: An analog front end is always great. It helps with 'warmth' by introducing very natural harmonic over & under tones. After tracking, digital is just a faster and more affordable workflow. Once you're in the digital space, it's important to stay there. There are a few exceptions -- i.e. the need for analog summing of a bus. But those exceptions should be taken by a knowledgeable producer who understands the inherent problems/challenges.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Any statement that starts with "It's only..." or "It's just..." This assumes that something is easy or that 1,000's of hours of preparation and practice wasn't required to do whatever is mentioned at the end of the statement.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's the vision? As difficult as it sounds, can you name a few similar artists/songs that can provide sonic inspiration for this song?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: If you have a clear vision of your song, I can help! If you need help with clarifying your vision, I can help. My advice is to really think about and feel the underlying vibe of the song... get inside it and clarify your vision.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My bass, my laptop (including my sound interface), a magic generator that works on salt water, a suitcase of mics, and a midi controller.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been working in the music industry for 30+ years. I started with cutting tape and recording orchestras.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Bob Marley. Because he's Bob Marley.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Use your ears. The technology and gear are just tools.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Classical, Jazz, Funk, Hip-Hop, Singer-songwriter, new age, R&B, etc. I'm genre agnostic and gravitate to just good music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Production and bass. I have great ears.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Production and bass
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I try to get into the songwriter's head and channel their energy/vibe to enhance the vision of the track.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Too much to list. I built the studio ground up. Dug out the foundation, created French drains, poured concrete, laid tile, covered with rubber mat, laid cork flooring. I have 2" rigid fiber on all of the walls and bass traps in corners. After tuning, I used room calibration to ensure everything is flat. Equipment: Logic Pro X, 1,000+ Plug-Ins, Kemper Profiler, 5 basses, 2 guitars, Custom Drum set, Neve outboard gear, and much much more...
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: David Gamson is a great engineer and producer. Love his work.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Produce, arrange, re-harmonize, compose, play bass, play keys
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $70 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $200 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $200 per song
- RemixingAverage price - $200 per song
- Production Sound MixerAverage price - $200 per day
- Beat MakerAverage price - $200 per song
- Sound DesignAverage price - $200 per minute
- I will typically allow for 2 revisions.
- My typical turnaround time is 48 hours; however, I will be in contact with the client around this.
- There are additional costs for additional revisions
- Portishead
- The Roots
- Jimi Hendrix
- Custom Singleton 5-string Bass
- Fender PJ 4-string Bass
- German Acoustic Bass
- Kemper Amp
- David Eden WP100 Navigator
- David Eden D-210 XLT
- Antelope Zen Studio sound card
- Logic Pro X
- Maschine Studio Pro
- Event 2020 monitors
- and much much more
