I'm a producer and multi-instrumentalist who specializes in bringing the epic sound of orchestral strings into your music — without the epic price tag.
I'll keep it quick! I offer:
- Full production in indie/alternative pop, folk, alternative folk, folk-pop, & adult contemporary styles. If you'd describe your desired sound as "unique," "dark," "ethereal," "alternative," "indie," "organic," "offbeat," or "experimental," I definitely want to hear from you!
- Film & Video Game Soundtracks
- String arranging and recording
- Vocal comping/tuning
- Mixing
- Tracking male vocals, piano, violin, viola
Instruments played:
- Piano
- Synthesizer
- Mellotron
- Violin
- Viola
- Electric guitar
- Acoustic guitar
- Electric bass
- Harp
- Various percussion
- Drum programming
- Wood flute
About me:
I started on violin at age two-and-a-half, piano at age 7, and began writing my own music shortly after that. I received my Bachelor of Music from Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music in 2013, and set out to become a composer. Along the way, I became a producer, after realizing it would be important to learn how to handle production, recording, and mixing on my own. In 2019, I released my debut album, Waterbearer, to streaming platforms. I'm heavily influenced by Björk, Joanna Newsom, Thom Yorke, Lana Del Rey, Portishead, Kimbra, Weyes Blood, St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, The Dismemberment Plan, The Mars Volta, Bright Eyes, Cursive, Andy Shauf, and Aldous Harding.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
7 Reviews - 2 Repeat Clients
Endorse Dryden Thomas Meints- check_circleVerified
Dryden is great - super talented, super musical, and and a total pro. Really like working with him.
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Dryden was so great to work with. Entirely supportive of what I wanted and always willing to hold space for the creative process. He helped be bring my vision to life, not to mention brought so much talent, skill and hard work to the project. Can't thank him enough for helping me finally release music. <3
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Dryden is great to work with. Super talented and super cool.
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Dryden was so great to work with. Super talented, multi-faceted, with great instincts and taste. He was an and awesome creative partner in shaping the song. And a total pro to work with.
Dryden is an incredible producer and collaborator. He was able to transform my simple acoustic and vocal arrangements into full blown productions of the highest quality. He is incredibly patient and cares deeply about being true to his client's vision.
Dryden is tremendously talented, kind, and passionate about what he does. He has produced four songs for me and I am currently working with him on additional projects. I always recommend him to anyone looking for a producer, especially if they're on a tight budget. You will not regret hiring him!
I worked with Dryden on my debut record, "Cycles" - he arranged the songs beautifully for a string quintet, and was an absolute dream to work with.
His attention to detail, his passion, and his true commitment to producing work that is not only excellent but that lives and breathes was inspiring.
I look forward to working with Dryden on future projects, and would not hesitate to recommend him as an arranger, producer & collaborator to anyone looking for a talented musician with heart.In addition to being an exceptionally talented musician, Dryden Meints’s attention to detail during the editing and mixing process is unparalleled. I felt included every step of the way and will absolutely be using his services again in the future.
Interview with Dryden Thomas Meints
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I have a roster of about 8 artists I'm bouncing between at the moment! As well as working on producing my own EP, Five Loves.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital because I am not rich :) and no listener will ever know.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That we are in it together to carve out this song's best rendition, that I'm not here to impose my will or ego on the process, and that if I notice that I'm not the right person for the job, I will tell you.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Giving a mix back to an artist and having them love it. Writing and recording to try to please the world or "the industry" is a futile effort, but I feel like if I can help realize one person's artistic vision, my work hasn't been wasted.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I always ask about their vision for the song/album. I want to hear big picture, and I want to hear what excites and inspires them. I also ask for reference tracks, visuals, quotations... I want to amass a sort of mood-board in my mind before I start playing, if possible.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make sure your producer has an ear for what you love. There needs to be compatibility of taste there, I think.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My computer, my headphones, my Roland FP-90, my Warm Audio WA-87, and my viola.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Well, after graduating with a music degree from music theatre school, I decided I wanted to be a video game composer. Then I found out if I wanted to write for video games, I couldn't just notate it—I would have to learn to produce and mix as well. I practiced that for 5 years while working on straight music composition commissions. At that point, I pulled out some old songs I had written, thinking I would take another stab at recording them. It turned out, I had gotten better enough to record them into an album. In the years following, I started producing more songs, largely for commercial listings, but what really opened up was producing for and with other artists. While I still write and release my own music, production is my path and my passion. It just took me a while to see it!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Indecisive about whether it wants to be unvarnished or refined. Somewhere between Tolkien Elf and Keebler Elf.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Joanna Newsom. Her music is such a part of me that I think arranging with her would just *have* to coalesce into something beautiful.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don't try to force the song to be something it isn't.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Folk, Alternative Pop, Alt-rock (a la Radiohead) and Classical/classical adjacent music is what I'm most drawn to. But I also have a deep love of Trip-hop like Portishead and Tricky.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Strings are where I'm most at home. I've been playing violin and viola since I was three, and playing in orchestras all my life. I just have a rooted-in understanding of what they can do.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring my ear as a longtime listener of alternative music. I would like to think I can add elements of unconventionality, complexity, and a sense of scope to a song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to take the stems of a song, hear from the artist about their vision, and from there I just play. I'll pick up an instrument and layer it in, or lay down some kind of beat, and from there it's just growing the piece until it's ready to be heard by the artist again. From there, we'll have a dialogue and explore new ideas, or restart entirely. It's all in service of the song.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a classic basement setup. It's stuffed with acoustic paneling I hand-built, 3 guitars, a bass, a drum set, three pianos, an accordion, dozens of percussion toys, and a growing collection of microphones. I've worked hard to turn it into the best mixing environment it can be :)
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I definitely look up to Jack Antonoff. His versatility, creativity, and collaborative outlook are what I aspire to. And of course, the artists he has worked with are some of my favorites as well.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Production—basically taking a song from a demo to the final arrangement.
I was the Producer, Violinist, Synth & Pianist, Mix Engineer in this production
- ProducerAverage price - $400 per song
- Full instrumental productionAverage price - $400 per song
- String ArrangerAverage price - $150 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $300 per song
- Film ComposerAverage price - $200 per minute
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $100 per song
I include you as much as possible in the process, allowing you to give feedback in order to need few revisions. Turnaround can be as quick as a few days! Hiring musicians may incur additional costs.
- Lana Del Rey
- Sufjan Stevens
- Phoebe Bridgers
- Pro Tools
- EWQL instruments
- NI suite
- Arturia CS-80V
- Mellotron V
- and Prophet VS
- Roland FP-90 Piano
- Warm Audio WA-87
- Avantone CR-14
- 12Gauge Mics (all)