Orchestral Composer & Arranger

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

A: I work with Carsten Neugebauer quite a lot, he's my go-to for guitar. Awesome guy, fine musician / producer and genuine all-rounder. He rocks!

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

A: I really enjoyed working with Cristina Botnari, violinist in the National Symphony Orchestra of Russia. She sent me this beautiful recording of a piece for violin and piano, to which I added the orchestration. It's on my soundcloud profile, I'm very proud of that one.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because it gives me complete control over every aspect of the sound.

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

A: 100% Satisfaction or a full refund

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Getting to meet and work with different clients from around the world, and all the different styles of music they bring to me.

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

A: That I just sit in the studio all day pressing the "make music" button

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

A: Send me the track that you're working on, describe in as much detail as you can what you want the song to sound like. Include plenty of YouTube links and audio samples of music you love.

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

A: My computer, my audio interface, my monitors, a rode NT1-A microphone, and my copy of Walter Pistons book on Orchestration!

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

A: I began doing this professionally when I studied music in university. That's over 10 years ago... Man I feel old right now :D

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more- let the music do the talking, don't try to over-complicate things with too many plugins.

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

A: Lots of pop, rock, worship music, country, dance, heavy metal... All with a classical twist.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My intimate knowledge of how an orchestra works

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I add grandeur, depth and class to productions I work on. An orchestral part really helps fill up the space in a mix.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: 80% of it is coming up with ideas. Once a good idea manifests, the music writes itself.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: For orchestral arrangements, it's just me, my keyboard, my computer and my manuscript.

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

A: Sebastien Petiet of the Irish National Symphony Orchestra taught me everything I know about conducting and writing for orchestra. He's a stunning violinist, conductor, composer, and all round great guy. Really humble too.

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

A: Bands and musicians send me their unfinished tracks, and I write an orchestral part for them. I then deliver a full set of stems (Strings, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion), which they can have mixed. I also provide a reference mix.