Kurt Thum

Keyboardist, Producer

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53 Reviews (51 Verified)
Kurt Thum on SoundBetter

I’ve worked with Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Ava Max, Keith Urban, The Jonas Brothers, Meghan Trainor, Teddy Swims, Rachel Platten, Mimi Webb, James Bay, and countless others. I have played keys on 2 Billboard #1 hits. I’d love to hear your song and help you take it to the next level, anywhere from adding keys to full production.

I am a keyboard player, producer, and sound designer based in NYC.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Kurt Thum
  • Ava Max
  • Keith Urban
  • Justin Bieber
  • Ariana Grande
Discogs verified credits for Kurt Thum
  • Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber
  • Ava Max
  • Katie Henry (2)
  • Benson Boone

53 Reviews - 8 Repeat Clients

Endorse Kurt Thum
  1. Review by Priceless Music
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    absolute GOAT Status !!!!

  2. Review by Price C.
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    an absolute monster on keys gonna take whatever track your working on to another level!

  3. Review by Milo Planet
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    Kurt is an outstanding music producer and collaborator!

  4. Review by Price C.
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    Simply the Best!!!! your def not gonna find anyone better!!

  5. Review by Milo Planet
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    Awesome player and synth sound designer! I cannot recommend Kurt highly enough!

  6. Review by Joe Robinson
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    Thanks for the epic Organ and Wurli parts Kurt!! Always a pleasure to work with you. Really appreciate it!!

  7. Review by Joe Robinson
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    Kurt played the perfect part on my track! Fantastic tones and playing, easy communication, most importantly, great instincts. Really brought the song to life - thanks so much!!

  8. Review by Milo Planet
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    Stop! You've found your global hit keys producer. Kurt is the best.

  9. Review by Milo Planet
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    Simply the best!

    Captured the feel of a magnum opus and told the right story, can't recommend Kurt enough!

  10. Review by Milo Planet
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    ABSOLUTELY TOP SHELF! Probably the best producer of all things synths in the world today.

    This time Kurt stepped in and saved my magnum opus with killer arrangements and killer sounds. Kurts synths together with distorted Les Pauls sounds like the center of the universe. His stems sound like they come from a trillion dollar all analog outboard gear intergalactic master synth studio. Look no further! It cannot get any better than this :D

  11. Review by Stefan W.
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    Such an excellent player, sound designer and arranger! Top notch customer service, too!

  12. Review by Stefan W.
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    World class arranger, sound designer and keys player !! As icing on the cake Kurt also uses juicy outboard gear :D

  13. Review by Eli
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    by Eli
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    Kurt was absolutely amazing, he is super talented finding creative musical solutions completely changed sound to a hit....cheers

  14. Review by Milo Planet
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    Stunning keys player and sound designer !! Awesome arranger and songwriter, too! One cannot go wrong with Kurt, impossible :D

  15. Review by Milo Planet
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    A very professional craftsman and awesome dude! Top notch keyboard arrangements and composing !! Can’t recommend Kurt enough :D

  16. Review by J Ocean
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    Kurt was really fast ! He recorded amazing synths lines to our track.

    Good communication , great results!!

    Thanks

  17. Review by Milo Planet
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    World class keyboardist and sound designer!

  18. Review by Stefan W.
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    Outstanding at all things keyboards !! Playing, sound design, building awesome synth soundscapes, you name it! :D

  19. Review by Milo Planet
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    An all things keys MASTER !!!

  20. Review by Artem
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    by Artem
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    Another fantastic collaboration with Kurt! He is an incredibly talented musician! Awesome chord voicings, beautiful sound! I will definitely come back for more! 10/10

Interview with Kurt Thum

  1. Q: How would you describe your style?

  2. A: That depends on the context, but whatever I’m playing, emotion is the top priority.

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

  4. A: Steinway piano, B3, Juno, Protools, Nord.

  5. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  6. A: Co-writes, Keyboard session work, coproductions. I always try to keep it fresh.

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

  8. A: Dylan Wissing is king of drum sounds!

  9. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  10. A: Depends on the application.

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

  12. A: Whether you’re an indie artist or a major label, you will get my best.

  13. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  14. A: I like getting to hear great music and ideas that I otherwise would not hear.

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

  16. A: I guess one would be that pop music is easy to make.

  17. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  18. A: Anything that might help me better understand the client’s vision. References can be a great way to communicate ideas.

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

  20. A: Listen to samples and go with the musician who’s playing you connect with the most.

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

  22. A: I’ve been playing since I was about 4. I’ve always done production as a hobby, but have made it my focus in the last 5 years. As a player, I was classically trained until college, then I switched to jazz. Training aside, I’ve always gravitated towards pop music, and cut my teeth on the NYC club scene playing with all kinds of bands, across all popular genres.

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

  24. A: Maroon 5. They are some of the most talented people in the game.

  25. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  26. A: If a part isn’t making the song better, take it out.

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

  28. A: Pop

  29. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  30. A: I play like a keyboard player but think like a producer. My approach is to ask myself what the song needs rather then what I can add to the song.

  31. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  32. A: My goal is to enhance the emotional experience for the listener through careful part writing, arrangement, and Sonics.

  33. Q: What's your typical work process?

  34. A: Listen to the song, discuss ideas with clients, maybe check out some references. After that, every song is unique and so I don’t have a set process. I try to figure out what the song needs, and keep trying until I find it.

  35. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  36. A: I run Protools, UAD interface, Prophet 600, Nord, Kronos, Minilogue, Farfisa, Behringer Model D, and lots of soft synths and sample based instruments.

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

  38. A: Gian Stone, Jason Evigan, The Monsters, Stevie Wonder, Gene Harris, Ahmad Jamal, too many to list.

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

  40. A: Anywhere from adding that last synth or organ part that helps the vibe come together, to co-writing and producing out an entire song.

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Stuck With U - Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande

I was the Organ/ Keys player in this production

Terms Of Service

Generally I will do up to 3 revisions if needed.

GenresSounds Like
  • Justin Bieber
  • Ariana Grande
  • Harry Styles
Gear Highlights
  • Juno 106
  • Prophet 600
  • Mellotron
  • Prophet Rev 2
  • Korg Minilogue
  • Nord Electro 5D
  • Leslie
  • Korg Kronos
  • various Strymon pedals
  • All Spectrosonics products
  • Roland cloud
  • and countless other top tier soft synths.
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