Ian Martin

Podcast Audio Specialist

starstarstarstarstar
4 Reviews
Ian Martin on SoundBetter

One-stop shop for custom-made podcast imaging, editing and mastering by a trained engineer/artist.

There has never been a better time for podcasting. Recording is cheap and easy. Interviews are now virtual. Distribution is simple. The real challenge as a content creator is how to differentiate yourself in a saturated market.

That's where I come in. I'm a creative artist and audio engineer specialising in podcasting. I was trained at London's SAE Institute and have over 15 years' of experience in the field of audio. In 2017 I found my niche in tailor-made services for podcast creators like you, helping them communicate their authentic voice through music and speech. I apply my training and experience as an engineer, musician and public speaker to create unique intros, engaging imaging and episodes that sound loud, clear and warm.

I've worked with hundreds of podcasters, crafting their custom-made music intros, writing scripts, recording voiceovers and mastering episodes. I joined SoundBetter at the start of 2021, but have amassed many hundreds of five-star reviews on another lead freelancing site.

So no matter which aspect of your show needs assistance, I can help it excel in a unique and creative way. Just hit me up. I respond quickly and love to discuss the needs of your project. If there's parts you're not sure of, no problem. We'll work it out. I also offer unlimited revisions. My work's not done until you're thrilled. Let's make this happen. Contact me today!

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

4 Reviews

Endorse Ian Martin
  1. Review by Mark
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Mark

    Ian is definitely my go-to engineer! Incredibly talented & really fun to work with!

  2. Review by Jon
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Jon

    I love working with Ian. He does amazing work and is truly professional. When you hire him, you will be impressed with his excellence and creativity.

  3. Review by James
    starstarstarstarstar
    by James

    Ian’s been editing the Courage Over Comfort podcast for almost a year now. What started out as a project for an intro and outro for a pilot run, turned into a rather successful podcast, much of which is contributed to Ian’s talents and support. From day 1, not only did Ian create some pretty amazing original music for the intro and slice and dice the audio to take my novice podcasting skills to the next level; he showed genuine interest in the program and the work that was being done. That encouragement made all the difference.

  4. Review by Jakub Tichý
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Jakub Tichý

    Ian recorded mixed and mastered three albums for me and i was happy with the results

Interview with Ian Martin

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

  2. A: I am especially proud of my work on "Faraway, So Close" a theatre production in Oxford, UK dealing poignantly with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for which I was the sound designer composing an original score. It was immensely satisfying to work with a team of professionals delivering thoughtful art that spoke to difficult issues and to see the audience respond deeply to the work.

  3. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  4. A: I work digitally because of the unlimited flexibility that it offers. I have an entire world of sounds and instruments available to me on my computer. I do, however, apply analogue-modelled processing to my mixes for the color, warmth and expression that they add.

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

  6. A: I promise that I will create something unique and original that fits your vision and communicates your message authentically. If not, you deserve your money back.

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

  8. A: I love the daily challenge of creating music in different genres that will th

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

  10. A: Customers commonly ask if they can request changes after I deliver, and the answer, of course, is "Yes!" It doesn't make any sense to me to charge you for custom made music and then tell you you can't customise it! Of course, if the client wants a completely new composition, that's a different story. But that's why it helps to get as clear a picture as possible up front.

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

  12. A: I ask that they provide references for the style of music they desire. Many times the words we use to describe the music may be completely different because it evokes different feelings for us. But if I can hear the music itself, I can immediately get the picture and deliver something appropriate.

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

  14. A: Find someone who is flexible and willing to think outside the box to problem solve because your needs in the real world will rarely fit a neat, pre-conceived box.

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

  16. A: Laptop, Maschine controller, mic, interface, headphones. I've always brought these things on beach vacations.

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

  18. A: I started making beats at age 12 (2000) and at age 15 began working with Pro Tools. After producing several solo projects both at home and in studios, I decided to pursue professional training at age 19 at London's SAE Institute. This coupled my passion with formal education and led me into freelancing as a lucrative side-hussle.

  19. Q: How would you describe your style?

  20. A: I build rhythmic collages of sounds that move me, drawing on influences from 90s hip-hop, to future bass, to 70s funk and 50s Cool Jazz.

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

  22. A: I would absolutely love to with with Snarky Puppy (although I'd be star struck) because their music is relentlessly adventurous and explorative while remaining fun and soulful. They exemplify the playfulness and dedication to the craft that makes great art.

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

  24. A: I always start with a sound that inspires me and build grooves layer by layer until I have created the climax of the track. The final arrangement then consists largely of subtracting from that climax and building towards it.

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

  26. A: I usually work in the realm of hip hop and groove-based music of many styles. I produce electronically and can work in virtually genre.

  27. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  28. A: Working with creative resourcefulness with the tools and time pressure I'm given, to create an imaginative solution that fulfils a vision.

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

  30. A: I bring the passion of an amateur working for the love of it, with the rhythmic, musical ear of an experienced hip hop artist, lyricist and performer, alongside the technical skills of an audio engineer who knows how to put it all together in a sonic vision that translates to the listener.

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

  32. A: The initial consultation typically happens over email/text. I ask the client to describe their project and their desired outcome in as much detail as possible. I then ask for reference tracks/shows that exemplify the sound or style they're looking for. Then, with those details in hand, I work on the project remotely and deliver within the stated deadline. Much of the time clients are thrilled with the first result. On occasion it takes a few iterations to get it just right.

  33. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  34. A: Everything revolves around my Mac Pro, running Pro Tools, Native Instrument's Maschine and a host of high-end plug-ins. My go-to hardware is my Maschine Studio controller, a Faderport 8 control surface and an sE 2200a condenser mic running through KRK Rokit 6 monitors in a treated room.

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

  36. A: I was drawn to music by hearing stories of my grandfather who toured as a trumpeter in the Big Band era. Naturally a linguist, I fell in love with hip hop at age 11 and immediately started making beats and writing rhymes. I became a student of lyrical, conscious artists of the boom-bap era like Nas, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Wu Tang. Growing as a musician and producer, I appreciate a variety of genres, with current favourites being Snarky Puppy, Badbadnotgood and Oddisee.

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

  38. A: Most clients come to me for custom-made music intros to their podcasts (not many people offer this) as well as episode editing, mixing and mastering. I have ongoing retainer relationships with many clients where they simply send me their raw episode recording and I take care of the rest, editing, arranging, mastering and even scheduling.

loading
play_arrowpause
skip_previous
skip_next

Terms Of Service

Unlimited revisions (I don't stop until you're happy). 5 day standard delivery, rush jobs available. Original music sold royalty free, non-exclusive rights. Exclusive rights available for purchase.

GenresSounds Like
  • Kanye West
  • Pharrell Williams
Gear Highlights
  • Pro Tools
  • Komplete Ultimate
  • Maschine Studio
  • Slate Plug-Ins
  • Izotope Plug-Ins
  • Faderport 8
  • KRK Monitors
  • sE 2200a
More Photos
More Samples
SoundBetter Deal

20% for SoundBetter clients.

  • I can indeed make you Sound Better.Jan 04, 2021

    I've been an artist on Spotify for years, so it feels good to now be a provider on SoundBetter! I've worked on similar freelancing sites for years. So I'm looking forward to serving the community and you, the client, on this amazing platform!