Alex Kartishev on SoundBetter

When people come to me with finished songs, in addition to the recording and mixing themselves, I can help with adding new parts, synths, and post-production effects so that your music opens up to its maximum. Also, you can only come to me with song ideas or guitar sketches. I will help you write the arrangement and record all the instruments.

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

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Interview with Alex Kartishev

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The production of Latvian band Ignis album. We were creating arrangements together, then I was mostly working on synths, post fx and tracking. It was interesting in terms of how to make classic rock sound modern.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Instrumental composition for the next Christmas. It's quite interesting process on how to make your melody sound like "Christmas" one.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will do my best for your song.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Meeting with great people.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What emotions do you feel when singing/playing/listening your song? What picture do you see in your head? Thus we try to translate this picture in the song.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My laptop with cubase, guitar and mic. So I will even have some space for a power generator and a tent 😊
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Diablo Swing Orchestra. They are crazy.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listeners want songs. So pay more attention not to your snare sound or great lead synth tone, but either it really sounds like a song.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock and metal
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Communication and delivery in time
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I try to keep it as close to client expectations, as possible. But I know how to make it commercially attracted.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: First we agree on the structure of the song. Where is culmination and how it should end. Then we draft some ideas and then I start to produce some arrangements. We are always in touch with the client to make sure, that we are moving in correct direction. Then when arrangement is accepted, I might rerecord some parts of it for better quality and mix all the tracks.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: It's minimalistic, yet powerful. I have 18 channels console for any tracking needs, Kemper for guitars, Slate microphone for vocals and a lot of virtual instruments to enhance the arrangements.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I have learned a lot about mixing and production from URM Academy, so my heroes are Joel Wanasek, Joey Sturgis, Andrew Wade and Eyal Levi
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Usually come come with some drafts or just guitar chords. Then we arrange them, add some ear candies, record all the instruments and then mix. We have a lot of discussions during the process, to make sure, that we are doing the best!