I'm a songwriter, musician, producer, & mixer. I release songs of my own and collaborate with others where I get to engineer and produce. I work on instrumentals as well for sync licensing and I love the whole process of writing and producing. I can help you with a part that your song needs, mixing, or producing a high quality demo.
Services here include mixing, recording instrument tracks, lyrics, instrumentals, and beats. Getting experience mastering as well.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Interview with Reid Murray
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I made an instrumental track for a potential client. I'm especially proud of the guitar tones I produced because they are what I was going for & are on that line of sounding both like a synth & guitars. My role was to write & produce an instrumental song in a particular style.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm working on a song of my own that I will put out as Tango, called "Brown Eyes," & another song progression.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To deliver a piece of work that they will truly feel good about.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The sculpting of sound; hearing a song take on true form from the original idea.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: "Can you create a track that's like this artist or that artist?"
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you aiming to accomplish in the end? Is this a demo or will this be a single? Do you have a vision in mind that you can communicate to me to keep in mind while I work on this project? Do you have any specific production notes or sounds that must be translated into the finished work?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: If you feel that you can't do the job yourself or are looking to branch out, consider collaboration to experience its benefits.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock/Indie/Alternative/Instrumentals
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I would say my strongest skill is my ability to write & record a multi-tracked song.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a groove to a song. Whether it's an interlocking guitar lead or a funky bass line. Then I bring quality production to a song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I hit the studio when I know that I'm on to something with a melody or when I have pieced together verse/chorus ideas. Sometimes I let things marinate, then I refine & add or try parts that work in the song to see what best melds. The process depends on what the initial idea is.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a burgeoning studio setup that currently houses an analog Fostex 450 16 channel mixer, a Focusrite Scarlett audio interface, & Yamaha HS studio monitors. Microphones: Heil PR 30B dynamic supercardioid AKG P420 condenser Heil Handi mic Pro Plus Instruments: Fender made in Japan Mahogany Offset Telecaster Fender Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster "Mary Kaye" blonde Fender Squier 2001 P-Bass Affinity series Yamaha DX7 synthesizer Blackstar Club HT Club 40 tube amplifier Electro-Harmonix Platform Stereo Compressor pedal Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress Analog Flanger pedal Electro-Harmonix Micro Synthesizer Analog Guitar Microsynth pedal Tama Granstar drum set (made in Japan) Paiste cymbals: 15" Giant Beat hi-hats 24" Giant Beat ride 20" 2002 crash Ludwig Acrolite snare
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not that I know of yet.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog because of the sound & way it makes us perform differently during recording. It will make you commit more when playing or developing an idea. But...I use digital more often.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Perhaps some people don't realize how much one artist does for any given song they put out; aside from writing the song to start with.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My guitar, bass, 4 track cassette recorder, mic, & drums!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I attended SFSU in 2007-2008 for their music recording industry program. I wasn't taken by music production at the time, so I instead focused on drumming & played in an Oakland, Ca. based grunge band for about 8 years. I've been developing my skills for 15 years now.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Groovy, catchy, indie, rock..
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Julian Casablancas because I admire the songs he's written & his attention to detail in production.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don't over think it to the point where the original spark is lost.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Julian Casablancas, Dr. Dre, Prince, David Bowie, MF Doom, Tame Impala, the Arctic Monkeys, Tom Petty
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Instrumental session work, mixing, beats.
I was the Singer, producer in this production
- Electric GuitarAverage price - $50 per song
- Top line writer (vocal melody)Average price - $70 per song
- PercussionAverage price - $70 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $75 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $50 per song
- Film ComposerAverage price - $50 per minute
I work with projects as best as I can
to realize what someone is after with their mix, song, or vibe.
Turn around time based on an agreement we come to for a particular
song.
- The Strokes
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Ratatat
- Universal Audio Apollo x4
- Marshall Silver Jubilee 2525H w/ 2x12 cab
- Fender American Professional II Stratocaster
- Fender Offset Telecaster
- Behringer Poly D analog synth
- Yamaha DX7
- Shure SM7 B
- Tama Granstar drums
- Paiste cymbals
I can record tracks for a song at a flat rate, not based on individually priced instruments.
