Ronaldo Rodrigues

Vintage Expert Keyboardist

starstarstarstarstar
48 Reviews (43 Verified)
Ronaldo Rodrigues on SoundBetter

I'm an expert in vintage approaches of rock/pop (1960's and 1970's - hard/prog/psychedelic/fusion/jazz).

25 years of experience in music; 21 official albums released (as session musician, including my own works with bands and solo). Member of two prog rock bands - Caravela Escarlate and Arcpelago - and the hard/blues-rock/heavy-psych band Blue Rumble. Some of my works were reviewed in specialized websites and magazines, such as PROG (UK), Empire Magazine (Germany), Progressive Music Planet (US), Mat2020 and RockHard (Italy), It's Psychedelic Baby (Slovenia), TPA (UK), Koid'9 (France), etc. Arranger, composer.

Please visit my website for further info and portfolio: www.ronaldorodrigues.com.br

I can contribute to the arrangements of your song mainly if you desire a vintage-oriented sound. I can include a killer keyboard solo or sideral sound landscapes, using a large variety of organic tones.

FOR EDM/HIP-HOP producers and related: I am not really familiar with these styles and their minimalistic approach to keyboards. However, feel free to request me if you want to apply my usual approach to it.

Main influences: Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Thijs Van Leer (Focus), Dave Stewart (Hatfield and the North), Dave Sinclair (Caravan), Tony Banks, Jon Lord, Jan Hammer, Patrick Moraz, Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep), Eddie Jobson, Brian Auger, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith, Ray Manzarek, among others.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

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

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Ronaldo Rodrigues
  • Massahara
  • Arcpelago
  • Gods & Punks
  • Caravela Escarlate
  • Luiz Zamith
  • Gods & Punks
  • The Samurai Of Prog
  • Tommy Lorente
  • The Samurai Of Prog
  • Opera Diabolicus
  • Blue Rumble
  • Blue Rumble
  • Caravela Escarlate
  • The Samurai Of Prog

48 Reviews - 12 Repeat Clients

Endorse Ronaldo Rodrigues
  1. Review by Julian C.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo, is a SUPER STAR! if you are looking for a kick ass organ player with that gritty distortion heavy modded organ sound., he's got it down! if you want that clean beautiful vintage organ sound as well, he will deliver!
    on behalf of the band "Black Water Canyon", we are very very happy!

  2. Review by Tim Karabajak
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Always a pleasure working with Ronaldo! He always gets my tracks to sound like I believe they should. I will definitely be coming back to Ronaldo for keys in the near future. Thanks again Ronaldo!

  3. Review by Tim Karabajak
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Working with Ronaldo was a big pleasure. Perfectly in the mood with great taste and touch! Great person and a pro musician, he immediately entered the song mood and provided me with what I was looking for. I will definitely work with Ronaldo again!

  4. Review by Alex G.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo is really good musician with professional attitude to the job!
    Also, he is nice person which is easy to communicate with.
    I hope we'll have the chance to work together in the future again!

  5. Review by Jeremy M.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Excellent work! Professional and high quality. I definitely recommend!

  6. Review by Kit C.
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Kit C.
    check_circleVerified

    Another great job with Ronaldo! Thanks man!

  7. Review by Kristopher M.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    The best of the best, analog equipment, vintage sound, always the real deal, an even better human being too, such compassion and focus.

  8. Review by Jeremy M.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Excellent work! Friendly, professional and focuses on delivering a high quality product. I definitely recommend!

  9. Review by Kristopher M.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Best clav player in the world!

  10. Review by Paul R.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo was an absolute pleasure to work with!

  11. Review by David G.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo did a great job on my song!

  12. Review by Jeremy M.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Excellent work! Professional and delivers a high quality product. I definitely recommend!

  13. Review by Jeremy M.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Excellent work! Ronaldo is professional and delivers a high quality product. I definitely recommend!

  14. Review by Jeremy M.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo did excellent work! He was friendly, professional and delivered a high quality product. I definitely recommend!

  15. Review by ray
    starstarstarstarstar
    by ray
    check_circleVerified

    He knows how to paint the landscape of your song and bring out the best out of you with his tasteful keyboards, superb!

  16. Review by Steven S.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo is absolutely great - super talented, super musical and just a great guy to work with. He is a great collaborator.
    S

  17. Review by Oliver
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Oliver
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo is a very creative musician, delivering some great rhythm parts on the keyboard and a very cool lead. He strives to make sure the client has what they need and communication was very good. I look forward to working with him again.

  18. Review by Labronn C.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo is an amazing keyboardist, and will deliver what your song needs every time. I highly recommend working with him!

  19. Review by Jim
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Jim
    check_circleVerified

    Working with Ronaldo was a great experience. He was very easy to work with and is a very talented musician. His tracks were the perfect compliment to my music.

  20. Review by Steven S.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Ronaldo was awesome. Super talented and a total pro.

Interview with Ronaldo Rodrigues

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

  2. A: My second solo album and the third album of my band Caravela Escarlate

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

  4. A: References of tones and overall feel of the song.

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

  6. A: Rock - progressive rock; psychedelic rock; hard rock; folk rock; alternative; heavy metal; prog metal; jazz rock; fusion; pop

  7. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  8. A: Recording: M-Audio M-Track 8x4. M-Audio Fast Track II. DAW Reaper. Keyboards: Tokai TX-5 (organ). Roland A-800 Pro. Behringer UMX 610. Pedals: Neo Ventilator II. Boss Octave. Boss Phaser. Full Tone Clyde Wah-Wah.

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

  10. A: The second album of my band Caravela Escarlate. It was referred two times in PROG Magazine, including a full-page article.

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

  12. A: I will do my best to understand clearly what my clients want and to translate their thoughts into music.

  13. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  14. A: Well, the most frequent question is how to reach a specific kind of vibe or feel in a song. My most common answer is always positive but demands time and effort, requiring some tests with different tones and arrangements.

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

  16. A: To imagine that it is possible to obtain a completely different result in a song adding only one instrument.

  17. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  18. A: Yes. My band mate Elcio Cáfaro. He is an outstanding drummer.

  19. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  20. A: Digital sounding like analog. The best combination.

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

  22. A: The opportunity to play and to work with high-level musicians and composers all over the world.

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

  24. A: The customer may expect good communication; the customer may expect someone to understand his music deeply.

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

  26. A: I will prefer to take some gadgets to listen to good music.

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

  28. A: I started at 11, playing in the Catholic Church. 25 years playing; since 2010, I have played professionally. I started as a band member and progressively I began to compose and make arrangements. Now I'm a session musician and a bandleader.

  29. Q: How would you describe your style?

  30. A: 1970s kind of sound. Organic and warm sound.

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

  32. A: Stevie Wonder; Herbie Hancock; Jimmy Page; Carl Palmer - because they are genius.

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

  34. A: To be a good musician, it is necessary to be a good music listener.

  35. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  36. A: The obtaining of vintage keyboards tone and an approach similar to the greatest keyboardists of golden ages of rock/pop.

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

  38. A: A unique approach to music, considering my background as a keyboardist, composer, arranger, records collector, and an enthusiast of vintage music.

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

  40. A: The first step is conceptual - I listen to the song many times, thinking about the melodies, chords, and tones that will fit better, considering the customers' inputs (references, ideas, etc.). After that, I make the first trials in the keyboards to understand the song's key, rhythm pattern, and overall vibe of the song. I record the first samples (one or two different takes) to show it to the customer, collecting their impressions. This step is repeated if required until the obtaining of an excellent result.

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

  42. A: Keyboard players: Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Thijs Van Leer (Focus), Dave Stewart (Hatfield and the North), Dave Sinclair (Caravan), Jon Lord, Jan Hammer, Patrick Moraz, Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep), Eddie Jobson, Brian Auger, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith, Ray Manzarek, Luis Paulo Simas, Elias Mizhrai, Manito. Others musicians: Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Carl Palmer, Jon Hiseman, Lenny White, Alphonse Mouzon, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Jack Bruce, Greg Lake, Ron Carter, Milton Nascimento, Hermeto Pascoal

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

  44. A: I provide melodies, textures, and solos for songs using my expertise related to the music from the 1960s and 1970s. I also can make creative arrangements for songs. This approach gives a vintage feel to the songs - this is my true passion and what I can do best.

loading
play_arrowpause
skip_previous
skip_next
Meddley of songs of my solo albums, Blue Rumble, and Caravela Escarlate

I was the keyboardist and arranger in this production

Terms Of Service

It is reasonable to request some revisions (2 or 3) or alternative takes. All terms can be adjusted in the chat. I aim to offer a high-level result to my customers.

GenresSounds Like
  • Jon Lord
  • Ken Hensley
  • Tony Banks
Gear Highlights
  • M-Audio M-Track 8x4M. Neo Ventilator II Pedal (the best Leslie speakers emulator pedal).
More Photos
More Samples
SoundBetter Deal

Special prices for i) arrangements of 60's and 70's rock-oriented songs; ii) recording of full-length albums that will be released in CD or LP formats.

  • New solo album - available on streaming, Bandcamp, and CDNov 17, 2022

    Hey folks,


    My 2nd solo album is now available! You can check an assort of original compositions and arrangements made by myself in a variety of rock subgenres, such as hard-rock, prog, psych-rock, fusion, and jazz-rock. 

    You can find it on Bandcamp and some samples on my Youtube channel:

    ▶︎ Vol. II | Ronaldo Rodrigues (bandcamp.com)

    Ronaldo Rodrigues - YouTube

    I hope you appreciate it!

  • Recent reviews about Blue RumbleApr 09, 2022

    Hey folks,

    The 1st of my band Blue Rumble is been positively reviewed on specialized websites, highlighting my keyboards work. See below:

    [Review] Blue Rumble - Blue Rumble (progrockjournal.com)



    Apocalypse Later Music Reviews: Blue Rumble - Blue Rumble (2022)



    Blue Rumble – s/t – Record Crates United

     

  • New album released - Blue RumbleFeb 14, 2022

    Hi!


    My heavy/blues-rock band Blue Rumble just released the 1st full-length album last month. It is now available on streaming services, Youtube, and Bandcamp. You can listen heavy tunes of Hammond organ and electric piano under strong influence of 60-70's rock. 

    Instagram: @blue.rumble


    Bandcamp: https://bluerumble.bandcamp.com/album/blue-rumble

  • English version - My websiteJul 01, 2021

    Hi folks,

    My website is now available in English version - please check out: www.ronaldorodrigues.com.br 

    Enjoy!

    Ronaldo Rodrigues

  • June newsJun 07, 2021

    One of my clients here on Soundbetter recently released a single - "Gaslight", from Nasrul Ekram. A great song that was sung by Michal Towbar (Emmy laurate), with my contribution on synths. Check on Youtube! 

    Gaslight - Nasrul Ekram  

  • New tracks on SoundcloudFeb 20, 2021

    Hi folks,

    You can now check some new samples of my music on Soundcloud. I uploaded tracks that I have recorded entirely as improvisations (frequently in the first take) using different tones on different styles. 

    https://soundcloud.com/ronaldo-rodrigues-158748545/sets/improvisations

    I hope you like it!

    Cheers,

    Ronaldo

  • My websiteFeb 04, 2021

    It is now active and updated - www.ronaldorodrigues.com.br  

    You can check further information about my musical works, my biography, my musical writing activities, and reviews of the albums that I recorded. 

    A full version in English will be available in the next weeks. 

    Feedbacks are welcome! 

  • January newsJan 18, 2021

    Great new music is on the way: I'm now composing and arranging the songs for my new solo album (Vol. II), recording the keyboards for Blue Rumble's first full-length album (that will be released in the first semester of 2021 on LP and CD) and defining the arrangements for the Caravela Escarlate's 3rd album, that will be released by Karisma Records in 2nd half of 2021.