Raymond Richards

Producer, Pedal Steel Guitar

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26 Reviews (6 Verified)
Raymond Richards on SoundBetter

I have produced many records for top independant artists, like Local Natives, and Blitzen Trapper, and engineered many like, LCD Soundsystem.

My process with most solo artists is very simple and direct. I love sitting down with someone and figuring out what they want their music to sound like. I like to discuss different aspects of their favorite music, then work some of those aspects into their own creations.
I have a deep well of professional musicians to draw from all along the West Coast, and enjoy the challenge of assembling a dream-team of backing musicians for an artist.
Alternatively, I enjoy being a ‘gentle shepard’ to an already established band, and helping them navigate the sometimes challenging task of making a record that represents multiple perspectives within a creative ensemble.
Mostly, I put my whole heart into every record I produce, and I feel like that shows.

I can also play pedal steel on your next record.

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

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Raymond Richards
  • Blitzen Trapper
  • Blitzen Trapper
  • Blitzen Trapper
  • Blitzen Trapper
  • Blitzen Trapper
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • The Mutineers
  • LCD Soundsystem
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • Jaime Wyatt
  • Jaime Wyatt
  • Brother Moses
  • Brother Moses
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • HONEYHONEY
  • HONEYHONEY
  • The Fling
  • The Fling
  • The Fling
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • The Henry Clay People
  • The Henry Clay People
  • Sugarplum Fairies
  • Sugarplum Fairies
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Lisa Douglass
  • Sara Melson
  • The Harpeth Trace
  • The Harpeth Trace
  • The Harpeth Trace
  • Leviathan Brothers
  • Leviathan Brothers
  • Shelley Short
  • Shelley Short
  • The Grizzly Owls
  • The Grizzly Owls
  • The Grizzly Owls
  • The Grizzly Owls
  • The Grizzly Owls
  • The Grizzly Owls
  • Ferraby Lionheart
  • Ferraby Lionheart
  • Ferraby Lionheart
  • Ferraby Lionheart
  • The Broken West
  • The Broken West
  • The Broken West
  • The Broken West
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • John Hoskinson
  • John Hoskinson
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • Leviathan Brothers
  • Leviathan Brothers
  • The Sweet Hurt
  • The Sweet Hurt
  • The Sweet Hurt
  • The Sweet Hurt
  • The Sweet Hurt
  • Skyscraper Frontier
  • Skyscraper Frontier
  • Skyscraper Frontier
  • The Monolators
  • The Monolators
  • The Monolators
  • The Monolators
  • The Monolators
  • The Monolators
  • The Clean Prophets
  • The Stevenson Ranch Davidians
  • The Stevenson Ranch Davidians
  • The Stevenson Ranch Davidians
  • The Stevenson Ranch Davidians
  • Hookers
  • Hookers
  • Icebird
  • The Harpeth Trace
  • Norfolk & Western
  • Norfolk & Western
  • Norfolk & Western
  • Lisa Germano
  • The Shocker
  • The Shocker
  • The Shocker
  • Tracker
  • Sid Hillman Quartet
  • Sid Hillman Quartet
  • Sid Hillman Quartet
  • Sid Hillman Quartet
  • Sid Hillman Quartet
  • Norfolk & Western
  • Norfolk & Western
  • Norfolk & Western
  • Norfolk & Western
  • The Brian Jonestown Massacre
  • The Brian Jonestown Massacre
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Highland Kites
  • Highland Kites
  • Highland Kites
  • Highland Kites
  • Braeves
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Charlie Porter
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • Brian Whelan
  • Brian Whelan
  • Brian Whelan
  • Get Ahead
  • Get Ahead
  • Get Ahead
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Avid Dancer
  • Scott Claassen
  • Kobi Arad Band
  • Lenore
  • Northern American
  • Northern American
  • Tristan Clopet
  • Tristan Clopet
  • Tristan Clopet
  • Tristan Clopet
  • Emily Gold
  • Emily Gold
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • The Idaho Falls
  • Andrew Deadman
  • Battlefield
  • Battlefield
  • Battlefield
  • Battlefield
  • Battlefield
  • Battlefield
  • Battlefield
  • Battlefield
  • Battlefield
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives
  • Local Natives

26 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse Raymond Richards
  1. Review by Isaiah M.
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    Amazing job! Such a talented and friendly person to work with!

  2. Review by Elisha
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    by Elisha
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    Amazing to work with. Raymond tracked pedal steel on a handful of my songs. I gave vague timestamps for the sections, but gave him creative control over what was to be played, and it all sounded fantastic.

    He was able to set a specific schedule so I knew when I would receive my tracks, and delivered superb studio quality tracks ready to import for mixing. Highly recommended, great sensibility for what fits the song overall.

  3. Review by Wesley E.
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    One of the best recording experiences I’ve ever had. Raymond is an awesome producer and engineer but best of all he is fun to be around . He’s set up a very comfortable inspiring, and professional studio . The recordings sound incredible. Just had a plain old good time making a record. Can’t ask for more. Except there is more..there’s Scout, the cutest studio puppy dog west of the mississippi.

  4. Review by Marc Z.
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    I can't say enough about Raymond. He's an outstanding producer on many levels. He works efficiently, gives great feedback and has a good sense of when to steer in a certain direction vs. when to let the artist flow. It's rare to work with a producer who is gifted technically, has a great ear, is a fabulous musician himself AND is just so super easy to work with. I'm very pleased with the EP I just finished with Raymond and will definitely do my next one with him. I highly recommend him.

  5. Review by Marc Z.
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    Raymond is awesome to work with. He provided a great combination of a guiding hand, while being completely open to feedback. He maintained great session structure and vocal encouragement and was very professional, quick, yet easygoing and open to new instrument ideas etc. I did one song with Raymond as a test just to see how it would go and am very happy with the final product. So much so that, I'm doing 6 more with him.

  6. Review by Denise F.
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    Raymond made the process easy and comfortable. Professional in his craft and delivered as agreed. I would recommend him and hope to bring more him projects .

  7. Review by Jeff Wanless
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    by Jeff Wanless

    Raymond produced my bands record back in 2008 and he is just a great guy all around... he has such a great collection of gear and oddities (and the know how to use them) it just makes the experience cool beyond words. He always treated us with respect and listened to our ideas... such a great guy... and HE HAS A GIANT PLATE REVERB!!!! its like getting reverb from emi when george martin was recording the beatles.

  8. Review by Leon Cotter
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    Raymond is friendly, professional and easy to work with. He gets great sounds in minimal time. My saxophone has never sounded better than when he has recorded it.

  9. Review by Kaitlin Wolfberg
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    Excellent engineer and producer! Easy to work with, great gear, good vibes, a good listener and gets the job done. Highly recommend!

  10. Review by Philippe Bronchtein
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    Raymond is the best. One of the easiest producers to work with, great ears, and a killer steel tone on top of it all.

  11. Review by Kyleen King
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    by Kyleen King

    Raymond is one of the best engineers/mixers I’ve ever worked with, and I don’t say that lightly - I’ve worked with many. He knows his gear, he’s efficient with time, he’s level-headed and his creative ideas are tasteful and impressive. If you want your record done right, hire Raymond.

  12. Review by Marissa
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    by Marissa

    We’ve worked with Raymond on a full length album, 2 EPs and a few singles. He’s become a good friend and always puts his heart an soul into our projects. I would always recommend him to indie artists looking to get their music produced by a professional who knows what he’s doing and really cares about music.

  13. Review by Patrick Goddard
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    by Patrick Goddard

    Raymond actualized the vision my collaborator and I had for our songs in a remarkable fashion. He was able to bring in trusted session musicians, as well as work with a few of us he had never worked before, to create a comfortable environment and produce excellent results. He has a gentle, nurturing, yet effective demeanor to move a session along. His genius is not only as a producer, but as a fantastic engineer and mixer, whose combination of equipment and skill, creates a signature sound that is unique and warm to the ears. A true honor to work with Mr. Richards.

  14. Review by franck fiser
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    by franck fiser

    Having worked with Raymond on many albums as a session player, I was consistently blown away by his repertoire of creativity. He's directly responsible for taking my playing to new heights. Not only is he a fantastic producer, he's an amazing musician and an all around inspiration in the studio. As a proficient multi-instrumentalist, touring professional and seasoned producer, he's a one stop shop of knowledge and ability. I've played tons of shows with Raymond, tracked for several of his clients as well as recorded many passion projects of my own...Its always an adventure and it's always fun.

  15. Review by Jody Glenham
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    by Jody Glenham

    Raymond is the go to guy for good sound! Having worked with Raymond on multiple occasions, I appreciate his positive demeanor as well as his keen ability to move a session along productively. His knowledge of gear and expertise in the studio have always produced outstanding results as well as his musical contributions were appreciated during recording sessions.

  16. Review by David Beach
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    by David Beach

    I had the best experience with Raymond! He listens, he’s thoughtful, and he truly cares about the creative process and making exceptional recordings. Working with him was a delight and what we made sounds phenomenal. I love how he works. Raymond is an extremely talented producer and engineer. A true artist!

  17. Review by Rose Shawhan
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    by Rose Shawhan

    Raymond has impeccable taste, and an even better ear. I've made three records with him so far, and I'm looking forward to our fourth. His gear game is on point with the most beautiful microphones I've ever heard and a whole slew of vintage keyboards and amps. He can also play pretty much anything with strings or keys better than probably anyone you know. His ability to pull guitar hooks out of thin air never ceases to amaze me. He has a fairly encyclopedic scope of musical reference to draw on, and he's downright nerdy about all the tech stuff, so you don't have to be.

  18. Review by Zander Cox
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    by Zander Cox

    I had a great time recording with Raymond. We got sweet sounds and had a blast. He has some cool tricks up his sleeve, but you have to work with him to find out what they are. Also, gotta love that board.

  19. Review by  Matthew Heckmann
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    by Matthew Heckmann

    Raymond is one of the most self-actualized people I have ever met. I considered myself a novice in the studio The first time I worked with him back in 2015, But afforded me the same respect and care that he would’ve given a seasoned veteran. He really cares about catching the vision for your project and contributing to that in brilliant and un expected ways. More than that, he took a genuine interest in my career as a musician, and in my journey as a person which I will always be grateful for and my life will forever bear the impact of.

  20. Review by James Lockhart
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    by James Lockhart

    Raymond is a kind and patient presence with an arsenal of unique creative tools. I've worked with him on two records now and I'm always inspired by his commitment to creating a space that feels comfortable and productive for artists. I could go on about his production talents but any of his work speaks for me in that regard - what makes Raymond truly special on another level is how much fun it is to work with him. If you trust him with your songs I guarantee you'll find yourself consistently lost in rare and precious headspace of elated music-making.

Interview with Raymond Richards

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

  2. A: I just finished producing an Ambient Pedal Steel record for ESP Institute and the new Blitzen Trapper record. Currently I’m finishing the new Parson Red Heads LP and writing synth based ambient music for Lung Records.

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

  4. A: I help talented singer-songwriters select material, musicians, and a pallet of sonic inspiration for their record.

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

  6. A: Try not to use technology that changes your music into something you could never achive without it.

  7. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  8. A: Arrangements are my strength, I can help the right artist re-imagine their three-chord masterpiece with the slightest tweak and elevate the song to a new level.

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

  10. A: That I write music for my clients. I love writing hooks, and string arrangements, but those are always things I’m ‘invited’ to do, I never push my ideas on people.

  11. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  12. A: Both, analog and digital both have their place in the music I produce.

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

  14. A: Listen to my samples, if they inspire you, reach out. I’d love to discuss your music with you.

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

  16. A: Do you want music to be your career?

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

  18. A: I encourage pre-production with bands which includes refinement of arrangements, performance, and instrumentation. This all saves valuable hours in the studio.

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The Parson Red Heads - Warrior

I was the Pedal Steel Player, Producer, Engineer and Mixer in this production

Terms Of Service

Unlimited mix revisions.

GenresSounds Like
  • Local Natives
  • The Parson Red Heads
  • Blitzen Trapper
Gear Highlights
  • Trident 80B
  • Neuman u47
More Photos
More Samples