Optoproductions on SoundBetter

I believe in unique artistic musical visions and I hope to enhance your music with my music production & mixing skill set.

I am a music producer and mixing engineer from the Netherlands. My area of work is within the independent music scene as I greatly value unique artistic identities. As a drummer and guitarist, with roots in electronic music my sound lies in the interaction of these two worlds. Music is supposed to breathe, be dynamic but powerful at the same time. I embrace the human aspect of music, something which is lacking in most electronic music nowadays.

I work with various instruments and synthesizers, both hardware and software as I believe this hybrid form of analog and digital brings the best of both worlds. I have access to a network of musicians and studios here in the Netherlands so if you are a singer-songwriter looking for a complete band arrangement you are in the right place.

I love working with talented new artists, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me as I am glad to offer you all the help I can.

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

Credits

4 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Optoproductions

by Janice L.
Verified
Melvin (Optoproductions) is a talented multi-instrumentalist and a good listener who values your input, understands your song and enhances it with his vision and skills. Our second project together took a longer time to complete, partly due to pandemic-related changes in our lives and because I was unsure of the direction to go with the song, but Melvin was very patient with me and helped me pull through in the end. He is someone who's kind, respectful and truly embodies the spirit of teamwork.
by Janice L.
Verified
Melvin (Optoproductions) is a talented, patient and hardworking multi-instrumentalist producer. He really listens to your vision for the project and proactively works on it to try to create a foundation for the sound you want. He has also been very patient and supportive throughout our project. When we are looking for a producer online, it is like a blind date: We might find a talented person who does not actively listen, or someone who is not genuinely interested in your project. I'm glad things turned out well, and I'd love to meet the producer who helped bring my songs to life someday :)
by Joëtta
If you ever consider having your song mixed or mastered via Soundbetter, Melvin is the person you're looking for. Melvin mixed and mastered the songs of my debut EP and I am impressed with the result. He is very patient, kind, experienced and talented and I'm very happy that I chose to work with him. Also, I've heard some of his original compositions that sound great too. Highly recommended!
by Bette Schindler
Working with Melvin is simply amazing.
As a Singer/songwriter it is a wonderful experience having your songs reach a higher level with his productionskills. He really thinks with you , not trying to label his thing. Also, a super relaxed guy! Always on time and not only a good producer, also a very good composer!

Interview with Optoproductions

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I'm currently working on a new project called 'Newport' which combines all kinds of genres ranging from folk, to electronic and pop music.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I highly recommend singer-songwriter 'Bette Schindler'. She is an extremely versatile singer and can write songs super quickly. I've worked with her on many different projects already.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I've just finished building my new studio and am currently in a collaboration process with other artists.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. I work in a hybrid way. I use both an analog mixing desk and plugins. I work with digital synths as well as analog synths because they complement each other perfectly.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will deliver on time and only call it done when the artist is happy.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Every project is different. I'll get to use technical tools in a creative way. It's exciting to use the gear for things where it wasn't designed for to come up with unique sounds.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: I've had people ask me if I can recreate a certain sound or song. My answer is usually, why would you want to remake something that already exists? Just be yourself and do your own unique thing.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Not many people how much work it is to put together an entire production. From writing, arranging, recording, sound-design to mixing and mastering. It can take days or weeks depending on the project size and budget.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: - What artists do you like? Can you provide me with some reference tracks? - What genre/production style do you have in mind? - What instruments would you like to use?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Play your music live, singer-songwriter style. If the song works this way with only vocals and guitar or piano then you are ready to start with music production.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A laptop, acoustic guitar, microphone, audio interface, and headphones
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I graduated in 2019 from the Utrecht School of Arts in the Netherlands. I started writing and producing my own music around 2006 and have been mixing and producing for other artists since about 5 years now.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: A hybrid between organic acoustic music and electronic sounds
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Artists who bring something new to the table. So much music sounds like everything else. I like artists that are brave enough to cross boundaries.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Pick one featured instrument and build everything around that one instrument.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Indie Rock / Pop / Melodic Techno, everything that allows me to be experimental in one way or another.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Making and developing sound.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I think music should be able to breathe naturally. It doesn't need to be stuffed with countless parts. Less is more.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Whatever music I produce or mix, my main goals is always to achieve some sense of human touch. I don't draw automation by mouse, I use a control surface for that. Even when I make electronic music I do still play the keys and twist knobs as those interactions bring life into the song.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I am currently investing the most in software plugins but I actually started buying hardware synthesizers as well lately. So I am not afraid to use my DX7, Nord Lead, Waldorf Blofeld and other synths into productions. Everything I do however is focussed around Cubase Pro 9.5.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Bon Iver, Gregory Alan Isakov, Tame Impala, Fleet Foxes, Daughter
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing Music