Orchestrator, Composer

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

A: I promise that their project is my priority and that it will get all of my attention. I will put all of my skills and equipment to use in order to create for them as if I was creating for a personal project!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The freedom to be doing music all the time!

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

A: Studio Computer, Studio Speakers, Master Keyboard, Guitar, Case of beer

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

A: I started out as a sound engineer, doing international tours with bands. I studied music production and composition at the conservatory of Ghent and afterwards I joined the Cinematic Orchestration Program at Thinkspace Education. After touring for some years, I felt that the urge to create music could no longer be ignored. I stopped touring and sound engineering and focussed completely on composition and producing. I have been doing this for about 6 years and have worked on lots of productions!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: On a style-level I am a bit like a chameleon. When I am writing a kids musical, I immerse myself in that style and celebrate all the little things that I think a kids musical needs. But at the other hand I can also transform into an aggressive guitar player when I am on stage with my band "Brides Of Lucifer". I would say that my personal taste leans towards music with impact. Loud & intense music that gets your heart pumping. This can be orchestral music, rock, electronic.

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

A: All artists that have a true love for music!

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

A: Orchestral music, Hybrid music, Film Music, Rock and sometimes even EDM.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say that my strongest skill is to get inside the head of the client to see and feel what they want or need. Taking the abstract and making it into reality.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: In short: Talk to client to see what they want/need --> Hit the studio start creating --> Reviewing the creation with the client --> Adjusting the creation (max. 2 revisions at no extra cost) --> Mixing & Mastering the MIDI Mockup / Recording --> Creating the score if asked for (extra cost) --> Delivery --> Celebration!

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

A: Orchestrations for either digital or live orchestras. Adding orchestral flavors to tracks. Adding sounddesign, synths or guitars to tracks. Composing original orchestral music. Reproducing music or creating instrumental versions in almost all genres.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Zoom out! You have to keep an eye (or ear) on the bigger picture. What is the emotion or story that you are trying to tell? You can be the most technical producer or arranger with the best arrangement on a technical or theoretical level, but there is no point in this unless it benefits the true music. So zoom out and see that whatever you do to the music is doing the right thing! Also: let your ego out of the equation!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think that orchestral instruments always bring fresh and inspiring colors to a song. As an orchestrator I always make sure that the original value or intention of the song is preserved. The level of depth in the orchestration depends on the personal taste of the client and myself. With the bigger, massive sounding scores, I always try to go for impact. I try to push the audience to the edge of their seats.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use a combination of different computers to host my vast collection of sample libraries including Project Sam Symphobia Series, Chris Hein Horns, Native Instruments Komplete, Steven Slate Drums, Superior Drummer, East West Symphonic Orchestra, etc. I listen to either my mixcubes or my main speakers, which are Genelec 8050. As a DAW I am a Protools user and I use Vienna Ensemble Pro to access my different computers, running the samples libraries. For recording I use API preamps and a few microphones. My main microphone is a Mojave MA301-fet which I really like. For tracking guitars I use a Kemper Profiler and depending on the required sound, I will choose one of my two trusty Fender Stratocasters, my Ibanez RGA or my Gretsch hollow body. For bass I usually go with my Ibanez SR500 series or my Fender Precision. For music notation I use Sibelius.

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

A: The list is virtually unlimited and is definitely not limited to orchestral genres only! To name a few: Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, Brian Tyler, Michael Giacchino, John Williams, James Doolel, Stravinsky, Olafur Arnalds, Max Richter, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Massive Attack, Slipknot, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Black Label Society, Nine Inch Nails, In Flames, Tower Of Power, Chic, Michael Jackson, Charlie Parker, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Chris Jones, Celldweller, Armin Van Buuren, Varien and many many more...!