Rodney Orpheus

Production, Mixing, Mastering

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12 Reviews (6 Verified)
Rodney Orpheus on SoundBetter

I have worked on a bunch of records over the past 30 years, including several that have topped charts around the world. Acts I have worked with include Future Sound of London, The Sisters of Mercy, Die Krupps, LTJ Bukem, Within Temptation, and other major artists. Several of my records have reached #1 in the German Alternative Charts.

I cover a wide variety of production and mastering work. I was one of the pioneers in computer-based production, and I've done a wide selection of jobs over the years, from basic mixing and remixing of individual songs, all the way up to full album production and final mastering. I work mainly in my own studios in Venice Beach, California and Manchester, UK; but am happy to travel if need be.

Specialisations include modern electronic rock production with a "European" style sound - if you like a mix of heavy guitars and synthesisers, you'll love what I do. Many of my productions have gone Top 20 in the German Alternative Charts, and received 5-star reviews around the world. I've also done a fair bit of soundtrack work and A/V production editing, and live webcasting using Twitch, YouTube, Facebook etc.

Whatever you need doing, whether audio or video based, do get in touch and let's talk!

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

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Rodney Orpheus
  • Covenant
  • LTJ Bukem
  • LTJ Bukem
  • LTJ Bukem
  • LTJ Bukem
  • Soil & Eclipse
  • Faith & the Muse
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Die Krupps
  • Die Krupps
  • Die Krupps
  • Sun God
  • Sun God
  • Sun God
  • Sun God
  • Die Krupps
  • Die Krupps
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Cassandra Complex
  • Die Krupps

12 Reviews

Endorse Rodney Orpheus
  1. Review by Gabrielle E.
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    Rodney is a consummate professional. He's creative, thorough, and communicative. The entire process was interactive, and Rodney speaks musician and can understand and execute from vague, abstract direction. He has deep experience to draw upon, including with the DAW I was using, Studio One, which saved us a lot of time up front in getting things transferred and set up for mixing and mastering. I highly recommend him.

  2. Review by Rick S.
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    Rodney is great to work with, he offered advice and always worked to maintain our creative vision and enhance it.

  3. Review by Julien T.
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    simple communication and I'm really happy with the result. I'm looking forward to work with Rodney again!

  4. Review by Nick M.
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    Working with Rodney was a lot of fun and I'm delighted with the results.

    He helped someone with little experience (me) turn round a song which my band recorded pre-lockdown and then had not been able to finish. He 1000% got where the track was coming from and where we wanted it to go.

  5. Review by frank
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    by frank
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    I contacted Rodney to mix an Ep to re-edit it, the mixing sound very good, he also did a remarkable production job on the titles, the sound and the atmosphere match perfectly.

  6. Review by Alexandre A.
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    Rodney Orpheus is a legend and there isn't much I can had to that.
    I'm just grateful for the chance to work with him and see the magic happening.

  7. Review by Brent Heinze
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    by Brent Heinze

    I’ve had the pleasure of working with Rodney on my latest project. His efficient workflow and style of communication ensures that challenges and modifications are addressed quickly so the project can continue moving forward to completion. Rodney consistently offers a rational explanation for his suggestions and is very open to discussing options. He has helped us bring forward the important creative elements of our album in ways that allow the instrumentation and vocals to shine. I would emphatically recommend him for engineering, production, and mastering services without reservation.

  8. Review by Jon Sewell
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    by Jon Sewell

    I've been aware of Rodney's work for more than a decade, and was elated when he agreed to work with us on our project as a mixing and mastering engineer.

    Rodney made it easy to collaborate and brought out aspects of the music that I would not have discovered on my own.

    Between his keen insights, top notch gear and his cultivated genius at hearing what works, it has been a pleasure to engage with him through this creative project and I hope to do so again!

    Jon Sewell
    Razing Arcane

  9. Review by Giannis P.
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    I have been following The Cassandra Complex since their early days and I really feel lucky that I once saw them on stage giving me one of the most unforgettable performances of my life. When I approached Rodney to do a remix on my band, Mechanimal, I met a very kind and professional guy, who from the beginning was willing to give his best to please us. Finally, our remix collaboration ended up not in one but two different remixes, a club and an ambient one, for the simple reason that we could not decide which of the two to choose. I really feel thankful we had the chance to work with him!

  10. Review by Rixx isaiah
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    by Rixx isaiah

    Hi in from latinamerica, I know the rodney orpheus work since their book Abrahadabra, he is a great producer and composer I work with him in my single "Tremblock", I hope to we can work in new songs soon.

  11. Review by Axel Ermes
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    by Axel Ermes

    I know Rodney since 1989 and worked together with him on several occasions. I am happy to call him a friend. He produced the album "Positive" of my band GIRLS UNDER GLASS and he managed to take our songs to a new level. His experience in the music and production business helped a lot and still helps to focus on the most important aspects in the production. Rodney is brutally honest when it comes to criticism of your songs or sounds and he will tell you why he would change s.th. This has always been helpful.
    I can recommend his skills to everybody, pro or amateur, you will learn something!

  12. Review by Stefan Netschio
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    by Stefan Netschio

    We used to work for the same company and I had the pleasure to see him teach tech on stage. His charismatic ways would draw everyone in the audience into the matter as he went about soft- and hardware like child's play. I also had the chance to witness a few of his amazing live performances with his band The Cassandra Complex. He is a super-nice person to talk to, just do not be intimidated by his larger than life ego that he totally lives up to. The remixes he provided to one of my band's songs absolutely blew me away. Master of all trades.

Interview with Rodney Orpheus

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

  2. A: Lots of different album mixes right now. 2023 has been incredibly busy for me, and 2024 is starting to look even busier. So if you're looking to get some work done, get in touch as soon as possible please!

  3. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  4. A: Doesn't matter how it starts, everything is going to end up digital when it's streaming to someone's phone. So it really doesn't matter if it starts off as analog or digital, or a combination of both. I have a lot of analog AND digital gear here, and I use whatever works. If it sounds good, then it is good.

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

  6. A: A laptop loaded with PreSonus Studio One (my favorite production environment), my ESI monitor speakers, my Waldorf Blofeld synth, my hand-built BPM vocal mic, and my Yamaha guitar.

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

  8. A: I did my first production in 1985. It was rough, but it sold enough to get me started as a professional. I have been working as a producer and performer ever since. I have also worked closely with companies such as Steinberg and PreSonus helping to design the digital music technology we use today.

  9. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  10. A: I have a small boutique studio in Venice Beach, California, equipped with rare hand-built German mics and monitor speakers. I also have some great old synths (and some great new ones too), along with hundreds of top-quality plugin instruments and effects.

  11. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  12. A: Die Krupps - Fatherland. This was a remix of an amazing song by a pioneering German electronic group. I worked on the remix with Andrew Eldtritch of The Sisters of Mercy and together we turned this song into an anthem. It went to number 1 in the German Alternative Chart, and it's still a classic.

  13. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  14. A: To listen, to understand, and to really bring out the emotional essence of their music, not just "make it sound better".

  15. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  16. A: I get to work with great people making great records. That makes everything worthwhile! :-)

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

  18. A: That it's just about making everything louder. I do like making loud records but it's important to make sure that your record will work well on a modern streaming system and not get crushed by it.

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

  20. A: A lot of time and energy can be wasted dealing with technical issues like file conversion, sample rates etc. so I have a checklist of stuff that the client can go through to ensure their work is in the best shape it can be for production, and to reduce time going back and forth to fix technical problems. That makes communication a lot easier and means we can get to working on the production much faster.

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

  22. A: Most of my productions fall into the rough area of "electronic rock". That can be everything from Nine Inch Nails-influenced industrial guitars and synths, all the way into ambient synth music.

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

  24. A: Decades of experience in the business mean my productions stand the test of time. If you want to make a record that is still going to be getting airplay 20 years from now, I'm your guy.

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

  26. A: That really depends on what the artist needs. I'm always willing to go the extra distance to make a record sound great. I mainly work inside the computer, that's where I really feel most at home, but I also have a bunch of vintage hardware that I like to add for that extra special something on a production.

  27. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  28. A: I have a wide range of influences when it comes to production. Some of my favourites include Phil Spector's great 60s sounds; Tony Visconti's work with T.Rex and Bowie; Martin Hannett's work for Joy Division, New Order, and Factory Records; and Trevor Horn's work on Frankie Goes to Hollywood, ABC, and Pet Shop Boys.

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

  30. A: I do everything in the music production process from mixing and mastering single songs up to full album production from start to finish. I also edit and mix sound for A/V such as video, podcast, and independent movie sound production.

  31. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  32. A: New Order, because their songs are incredible and their music is timeless.

  33. Q: How would you describe your style?

  34. A: Analytical yet passionate. I love music, and I love working with artists to help show their talent to the world.

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

  36. A: Have a conversation. Let the provider know what you like and what you need. Make sure you can communicate with the provider and feel comfortable having that conversation.

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

  38. A: Get a good mastering engineer. The difference that makes is the difference between a song sounding good and a song sounding great.

  39. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  40. A: A very analytical approach to mixing and mastering. I like to get deep down inside the song and bring out the best of what the artist needs.

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Die Krupps - Fatherland

I was the Remixer in this production

GenresSounds Like
  • Nine Inch Nails
  • New Order
  • Sisters of Mercy
Gear Highlights
  • ESI
  • Waldorf
  • E-mu
  • MeeBlip
  • and Arturia hardware; huge selection of top quality VST Instruments & FX.
More Photos