Honesty is all I offer, I love Music, the sound, feel, the Emotion of it. If you allow your ego to take a time off and you really want to feel what you are attempting to share with the world, try me.
I'm not rich, not signed with Capital Records, not on Dr Dre payroll, Yet, Lol. But what I am is a person who listens to music from around the world not just the US and I can't hear what makes people laugh, cry, fight, hug. What are you trying to do? Maybe I can help you. I have a Pro-Studio with Pro-gear, yada yada yada. Who cares right. I love Music maybe, just maybe I'm that extra pear of ears, you know, the guy looking in from the outside.
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Interview with Richard D Johnson
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: A friend of mine wanted to play his guitar in his church but couldn't find the music for the songs he wanted so he asked me to create them without the Guitar part. That was a fun challenge.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Upgrading my Studio from project to Pro.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not Yet, but there should be in time.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both (hybrid). Digital for Recall-ability, Clean, Accurate. Analog for Warmth, Width, Harmonics, Distortion (Good).
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: If I can't do what you ask I will tell you up front. I know the worth of your craft.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: What Job? Oh you mean music, love is not a job.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How come you don't become a pro singer? People don't sing anymore, they whine.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: It's easy!! All I need is a computer, interface, keyboard and some software and I'll be a 🌟.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Where are you headed with this, what's your destination?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Love your craft enough to handle constructive criticism, strive to improve.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Drums (9pcs +cymbals, hardware), Acoustic Guitar, Piano (Grand), Stand up Bass, Violin. I'd make a horn there somehow.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Started when I was 6 with my first drum set, then my first real keyboard at 19, so more than 30 years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Evolving, always in flux.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Jaheim (Whitney, Michael, Prince, Sisqo, George Michael, Teddy P.) because they didn't shy away from the high notes.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: When you listen to your song ask yourself, "if I hadn't made it would I love it" That requires true honesty without ego.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I love ballads, but I've done everything from folk to hip hip.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: How I hear sound, my love for Music, my ability to hear what is being said with the song.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: If I can't feel it, it's just a song, so I bring my heart and ears. But most of all honesty.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I don't have one, what feels good that day is what happens. I do love laying down the drum tracks.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: It's a hybrid, mostly pro-outboard gear using patchdays and summing for that pro sound.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Quincy Jones, Usher, Dr. Dre, Timberland, Jaheem, Sisqo, Adele, Charlie Wilson, EW&F, Steely Dan, many many more.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I write lyrics, produce tracks, record, mix, and master.
