Heavy Metal Vocalist

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

A: It will have to be the most recent project at the time of answering this question. It's a project where I was allowed not only to sing but write the vocal melody/top-line and also collaborate with my lyric partner to make sure we get some top-notch lyrics to dress this song up the way it deserved. It turned out that the client was extra happy and is willing to get back to work with this model, since the result exceeded his expectations! I'm really proud of the work we put into this one.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Always working on a record or two at the time. However I try to limit projects only to a couple at a time, as this allows me to give my 100% to them. I just finished recording an EP for a German band that will be released pretty soon. Currently working on a record for a Canadian guitarist and another one for an American metal project too. I also record vocals for single releases all over the world, pretty much. In the meantime, I'm working on finishing my personal LP, although vocals for this one are already recorded.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both are needed for various stages in today's productions. In any case, I'd say use with caution and most importantly don't be a slave to your gear!

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

A: That they will get nothing but my best performance every single time. Also, I always deliver way before the deadlines, I have built a reputation for doing so and I plan on keeping it that way.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The fact that I'm allowed to do music for a living, for me is a blessing. But the extra kick I get from meeting the clients expectations each time and the ecstatic look on their faces when they hear the result exactly how the dreamt it and at times even better, is something that never gets old and what keeps me going even with the hardest of projects, where 10 revisions or more are needed to achieve this result.

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

A: How long it will take to deliver the result and most importantly if I got their point on what they're expecting back from me. My answer always surprises people as I deliver very fast yet I'm very pedantic and extremely detailed with my work.

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

A: That it's easy! After a recording session I will feel drained from all the energy poured into the session. It might not take 8 hours to work on a project, but 2 or 3 hours of non-stop recording is more than enough if you're 100% into your work.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: First question is always if there is a deadline and when they expect their files back by.

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

A: Look for a result as close to the one you want as humanly possible. Talk is cheap as they say, so I'd suggest skipping all the writing and go straight for the vocal sample on the site.

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

A: My voice is number 1. Thankfully I don't have to worry about that. After that, a decent mic an interface and my laptop would be more than enough for me to create and record my music :)

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

A: Singing and music in general has always been with me back since I can remember myself. I've been pursuing singing seriously more than 15 years now and I've been vocal coaching the last 10. Recording is my passion and I've always had a setup no matter big or small where I would experiment with various recording techniques.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Modern sounding yet a lot of classic rock and metal influences are part of my sound.

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

A: People that are passionate about their music, take their work seriously and accept nothing but the best performance for their songs.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Using a different mic for the backing vocals can save time and sound quality compared to having to mix backing vocals that have been recorded with the same mic. Also, panning is your friend when it comes to backing vocal separation.

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

A: Mostly metal and rock, but I have a strong background in pop music too.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'm not just a singer, I am a vocal coach,vocal producer and sound engineer, with 10 years of experience on these fields. So, not only you will get the best result in terms of recording but also I will go ahead and record vocal doubles, backing vocals and any other vocal effects that a song might need in terms of production to bring the best out of it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A very detailed and professional recording. The performance is always tailored to the song and I will also bring in my songwriting skills where needed.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: After an extensive chat with the client I will go ahead and record a preview vocal and send it back with a little bit of processing and effects just so that the client has an idea of how it will sound like when the vocals are mixed. After a couple of revisions (that's how much it normally takes) I will send the files along with my version of how I think the vocals should sit in the song. However, files are sent dry with no effects so the client can mix it however they see fit.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: This is my professional vocal chain for recording: Neumann U87 or SM7B microphone -> BAE 1073MPF microphone preamp -> Black Lion Audio Seventeen F.E.T. compressor -> RME Babyface Pro audio interface -> MacBook Pro.

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

A: Recording professional vocals