Studio Armadillo (Vanja)

Studio Session Guitarist

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180 Reviews (180 Verified)
Studio Armadillo (Vanja) on SoundBetter

Professional studio recorded guitars

I'm a professional guitarist, studio musician and composer based in Serbia. I lead a well known Serbian band called Vanya con Trios (check out youtube). Have 3 albums, hundreds of gigs and shows behind me.

I was featured as a session guitarist in "Guitar world" magazine, issue - May 2021.

I own and operate a well equipped music studio, and have a vast arsenal of vintage guitars, quality guitar amps, acoustic guitars, pedals, studio tube microphones and preamps.

I will record professional guitar tracks (acoustic and/or electric) for your songs. I am a creative, fluent musician with a delicate ear. I can play without scores or sheets.

I can work with a number of different instruments and amps, to achieve different sounds - 1976 Fender Strat, 60th Anniversary Fender Strat, PRS Custom 24, Fender American Tele, Fender Am. Dlx. Ash Tele, 2013 Gibson LP Trad Std, Fender Am. Precision Professional Bass, Martin D28, Martin 000-15m, Yamaha CG-201s, Kala Ukulele, '77 Marshall 2203 w/ 4x12 1982b cabinet, Marshall JCM2000 w/2x12 1960 cab, Orange Rockerverb MK3, Peavey 6505+, Fender '65 Twin Reverb RI, Fender Blues Deluxe, Roland Jazz Chorus 120, Sessionette 75, Vox AC4TV

Everything is tracked with quality studio mics through dedicated outboard preamps through an RME FF 802. Feel free to inquire about the signal chain.

Looking forward to working with you!

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

180 Reviews - 22 Repeat Clients

Endorse Studio Armadillo (Vanja)
  1. Review by July A.
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    Vanja did deliver so fast and with such good quality. I'm very impressed

  2. Review by Susan Odella Songwriter
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    Wow...Vanja blew me away with his work, once again! My song was laid-back Native American/New Age, and he turned it into a wonderful Pink Floyd-Era masterpiece - I am SO impressed with his talents!

  3. Review by Susan O.
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    Another project with Vanja, and I am SO glad I asked him to work on this cover song! The many tracks he sent me were exceptionally beautiful, and his talents are always a joy to mix into my songs!

  4. Review by james g.
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    Wonderfully thorough communication, excellent playing, superb production quality/recordings; definitely enjoyed working with Vanja and hope to bring him more songs soon.

  5. Review by GC
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    Great job as usual in very short order

  6. Review by GC
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    Highly recommended guitarist and producer, he returned me an excellent fingerstyle version of my song in very short order

  7. Review by Roberto T.
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    Vanja has the incredible ability to immediately find the right atmosphere for the song, proposing the best solution. He is very quick and extremely clear and precise in carrying out the project. Don't miss the opportunity to work with this amazing guitarist!

  8. Review by Austin B.
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    Vanja is absolutely incredible, his playing is so beautiful and his interpretation of the song is always so much better than you could have ever expected. Vanja takes your songs and places them in another level. If ever I need a guitarist he is the only person I go too. I cannot recommend highly enough.

  9. Review by Phil P.
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    3 words: quick, professional and spotless.

  10. Review by Austin B.
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    Vana has delivered yet again with his incredible, beautiful playing and his creativity and understanding of the two songs, he was playing acoustic guitar on. Vanja is my go to person for guitar.Can't recommend highly enough, you will not be disappointed.

  11. Review by Michael D.
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    Vanja did another great job on one of my songs. As always he puts in the time, gives me great tones and tastefully played tracks. Always very professional and delivers on time/ or early!

  12. Review by Phil P.
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    Amazing as usual. Such talent and brings just the right touch every time.

  13. Review by MICHAEL H.
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    5 stars!!! Top performance on my song, by this genius guitar player. He took my acoustic chords and crafted a complete masterpiece, bringing flair while keeping the song's emotion. Excellent work again by Vanja, a true pro. Also love his great, thorough communication and overall musical knowledge. A fantastic experience working with him, and will choose him again. Top pro!!

  14. Review by Ken C.
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    by Ken C.
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    We’ve hired Vanja countless times. No lie, it would take a while to count! So many of our songs are infinitely better because of his ridiculous skill set, care and attention to detail. But beyond just a top-notch player and collaborator, I consider him a friend. Amazing guy, amazing talent!

  15. Review by Phil P.
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    So amazing as usual! Worth every penny!

  16. Review by July A.
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    I'm so glad to have found Vanja on Upwork. He is just awesome :)

  17. Review by ReI'nferno
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    Great job as usual!!

  18. Review by Ken C.
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    by Ken C.
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    Trust in Vanja and you will be on your way to a smash. Seriously. I can't even count how many times we've worked with him and it ALWAYS slays. His careful and skillful recordings are truly second to none,—as pro as it possibly can get. He's perfected the mix of mics and amps for the most incredible sound. We're giddy when he finally delivers the files and freshly blown away each time. An amazing dude.

  19. Review by Phil P.
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    Amazing as always with a quick turnaround. So professional and sounds awesome!

  20. Review by Ken C.
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    by Ken C.
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    We highly recommend you just stop right here and hire Vanja, immediately. We've done all the research and the proof is in the results. A-MAZING every time. Over and over again he just never ceases to amaze. Perfect files, perfect delivery. THE best!

Interview with Studio Armadillo (Vanja)

  1. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  2. A: Neumann U87ai, Audio Technica AT4050sm, Rode NTK w/Telefunken E88CC, Shure SM7b, Shure SM57, Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast, GAP PRE73 PREMIER, Presonus Faderport 16, RME Fireface 802, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, Presonus D8 Digimax, Presonus Studio One, etc...

  3. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  4. A: Analog up until the very end (interface). Guitar amps, mics and preamps, the real deal, I don't ever use amp simulations.

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

  6. A: Professional studio recording of guitars, arranging, mixing and mastering

  7. Q: How would you describe your style?

  8. A: Very versatile, I adapt very easily to any style/genre

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

  10. A: Acoustic and electric guitar arrangements

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

  12. A: My Martin D28 and my '76 Fender Strat

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

  14. A: 15+ years as a session/studio musician

  15. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  16. A: Playing by ear, no sheets/scores necessary

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

  18. A: I bring professional sounding, studio-ready tracks, with my own vibe and feel.

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Medley

I was the Guitarist/Bassist/Pianist/Drum Programmer/Producer in this production

Terms Of Service

My typical turnaround time is 3-5 days. Revisions are fine, I don't mind making changes until you're 100% happy with the tracks. :)

Gear Highlights
  • '76 Fender Strat
  • 60th Strat
  • PRS Custom 24
  • Fender Am Std Tele
  • Fender Am Dlx Ash Tele
  • Martin D28 & 000-15m
  • Fender P-bass Pro
  • Yamaha CG-201s
  • '77 Marshall JMP
  • JCM2000
  • Orange Rockerverb
  • Roland JC120
  • Peavey 6505+
  • '65 Twin
  • Blues Dlx
  • Vox AC15
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