Lydia Salnikova

Singer/pianist, GRAMMY nominee

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429 Reviews (426 Verified)
Lydia Salnikova on SoundBetter

I've been a professional vocalist/musician/songwriter for 15+ years, I am a GRAMMY nominee, and I have recorded with the likes of Kenny Rogers, Bering Strait, Sir Christopher Lee and John Ford Coley. Throughout my professional career, my work has been heard on ABC, CBS, NBC, CMT, Animal Planet – and even in outer space!

I work in multiple genres: pop, rock, folk, country, Christian, alternative, EDM and others. I specialize in recording vocals (lead and/or BGV), keyboard tracks, piano/vocals, topline/songwriting (with vocals), string arranging, midi song production, etc. If you'd like to hear more samples than posted, in any specific genre, just ask.

For recording vocals, I use Neumann TLM103 mic and Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII mic pre. When contacting me about vocals, please specify if your song is fully written – both melody and lyrics – or whether you need songwriting services too.

I don’t offer partial song rates (for a single chorus/hook), all my rates are per song up to 5 minutes in length.

On songwriting jobs, I initially record a rough work tape of my ideas as a voice memo. After client signs off, I then record keeper studio quality vocals and send a preview for final approval. Finalized raw tracks are delivered after project is marked complete.

I ask all my clients not to release, list or promote recordings under my name as artist / featured artist. While I’m proud of all work I do, I ask this simply to separate music I work on as a hired musician/singer (which varies greatly stylistically and conceptually from project to project) from music I write, produce and release as an artist.

Looking forward to hearing all about your project and making some music together!

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

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • Russian

429 Reviews - 55 Repeat Clients

Endorse Lydia Salnikova
  1. Review by Devin L.
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    Lydia is a great musician, and a consummate professional. I can say personally that it's a privilege to have worked with her.

  2. Review by Rich D.
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    I just finished my third collaboration with Lydia and I'm running out of superlatives to describe her extraordinary talents, both as a vocalist and pianist. She can sing and play any style and nails a tune right from the get-go. Put your song in her hands and you can be assured it will turn out better than you could have ever imagined!

  3. Review by Matt P.
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    This is my third time working with Lydia. Each time I’ve received amazing results. Piano and string arrangements and mix/mastering. She is a very talented singer songwriter who has an interest in other people’s music as well.
    Professional with great communication skills.

  4. Review by Rich D.
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    This was my second time working with Lydia and once again she outdid herself with the vocals and piano. A true pro, delivers everything she promises and a whole lot more. Simply put, Lydia's a top-notch talent who you can trust to elevate your song to a level you may not have imagined possible. So what are you waiting for? Hire her!

  5. Review by Steve W.
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    Lydia is the absolute best. She's the consummate artist and collaborator plus unbelievably fast. She's done several songs on my project and she just finished the last one. Absolutely incredible, no works are adequate to describe her work. She gets the highest of the high recommendations.

  6. Review by Matt P.
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    It was great working with Lydia. She is a very talented musician with great communication skills.
    I recommend her highly.

  7. Review by KINGPIN D.
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    Ladies & Gentlemen, It was an honor working with the glorious Lydia Salnikova.

    From communication, talent, understanding, delivery, and her being - I can tell you she ranks top to have all boxes checked!!
    Listen to your gut and your heart, she is the one to stand by, work with, and someone you want in your team. 👍

    A start to a glorious beginning I say - Salud. 🥂

  8. Review by Rich D.
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    You've tried the rest, now try the absolute BEST! Lydia took my song and made it better than I ever thought possible. Her vocal and piano execution was flawless. The entire experience working with her was awesome. She not only delivers what she promises, but far exceeds on every level. In short, Lydia is a true pro!

  9. Review by Janet W.
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    Lydia is amazing! She responds quickly, understands readily, and delivers haunting interpretations that transcend anything I might have had in my mind. In this project, she actually created an extended version of a song she did in the past for me, adding appropriate interludes and embellishments that are simply beautiful. I marvel that this platform exists and allows ordinary people to get the privilege to place our precious musical messages into the hands of masters like Salnikova.

  10. Review by Alex M.
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    Phenomenal job on a cover song in russian! Lydia delivered professional vocals in a timely manner as promised. I highly recommend!

  11. Review by Steve W.
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    As always, great job by Lydia

  12. Review by Mike C.
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    If you're still reading reviews looking for the best, you can stop reading now and just reach out to Lydia. You will not be disappointed. Perfection, always!

  13. Review by Mike C.
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    What else can I say but amazing! Lydia's vocals are pristine and her arranging and production chops are second to none. Thank you Lydia!

  14. Review by Yann H.
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    Lydia is absolutely fantastic. Truly an incredible, thoughtful artist. I couldn't recommend her more. If I could give her more than 5 stars, I would. That's how good she is.

  15. Review by George D.
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    Lydia is one of my go to partners. Fifth or sixth project... losing count at this stage. She is an exceptionally gifted artist, both as a pianist and vocalist. Asks great questions from a place to get it right. Much appreciated. This project was no exception... awesome result.

  16. Review by Mike C.
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    Amazing as always! I love working with Lydia. It's always a pleasure and she delivers high quality every time!

  17. Review by Paul
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    by Paul
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    Lydia is up for any challenge! This time I gave her a complex pop piece with all the instruments all interacting together…yet still needed to be cohesive with a piano foundation. We should have asked her to play first not last, haha. Yet she jumped in and brought it all together perfectly in a matter of a few hours after I gave her the song. Wow! She is masterful with pop and anything you send her way. Best piano player I know and we are blessed she lends her talents to our music.

  18. Review by Paul
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    by Paul
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    Just when you think she couldn’t possibly get even better, she does just that and takes it up another notch. Her ear for background vocals are uncanny, she both blends perfectly complementing the vocal and on top of that the unexpected harmonic notes she sings are simply amazing and instantly a highlight of your song. Trust me you will be blessed working with Lydia!

  19. Review by Paul
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    by Paul
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    I have to get out a thesaurus at this point as I’ve used every known high praise word when commenting on her blessed piano playing. I gave her a progressive rock tune and in return I was given a classicalish solo piano rendition. She turned it around in a matter of a few hours. Wow! Lydia changes the world one song at a time!

  20. Review by David L.
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    It was my first time working with Lydia and I was very impressed with her sensitive production and rendering of my song. Skillful piano playing accompanied by a beautiful vocal performance that captured all the emotional nuance needed from the melody and lyric. And, all of this in an amazingly short turnaround time! I’m looking forward to hearing what she does next time around.

Interview with Lydia Salnikova

  1. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  2. A: In my studio, I record in Logic Pro X. For vocals I use Neumann TLM103 mic and Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII audio interface / mic preamp. I also own various UA plugins such as Neve 1073, UA 610 tube, Avalon VT-737 tube and Manley VOXBOX tube – for different tone color options. For my piano sounds, I use Ivory by Synthogy, as well as Ravenscroft and Modern U by VI Labs. For my string sounds, I use LA Scoring Strings by Audiobro. I have recently acquired several guitar sound libraries, as well! Ask me about my full midi production.

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

  4. A: Check out 2 of my articles published in SoundBetter "Tutorials": "Key your song well!" and "Are we in sync?"

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

  6. A: I was very proud to sing the part of Hildegard in "Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross" by Christopher Lee (2010). One afternoon, I got the call to do this duet remotely, without much information provided about the project. Recorded it that same afternoon. Only months later did I realize who that rich raspy voice I was singing against belonged to! It was a thrill.

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

  8. A: Getting to make music for a living. It's a joy and a privilege.

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

  10. A: I see my main job as a musician/singer-for-hire in realizing the client's vision for their project. I check my ego at the door. I bring to the table 15+ years of recording experience, rooted both in Nashville music scene and my original classical music education.

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

  12. A: I work in multiple genres, such as pop, rock, alternative, dance/EDM, as well as country and Bluegrass.

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

  14. A: First, I receive any and all materials and instructions from a client. I try to get as much guidance upfront as possible, to minimize revisions later. After I do the work, I send a reference mix for the client to review and approve. I allow one round of minor revisions, if needed. Upon job approval and project marked "complete", I finalize and deliver all tracks in WAV format specified.

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

  16. A: Most of the time, I get hired to record lead vocal tracks, background vocal tracks, piano tracks and string arrangements. I also produce/program full midi recordings for some of my clients, as well as offer songwriting/toplining services.

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Vocals #1: rock/country/pop/EDM

I was the Singer in this production


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    Vocals #1: rock/country/pop/EDM
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    Vocals #2: alternative/Christian/metal rock/country pop/R&B (5 clips)
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    Topline writing (4 clips)
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    Piano/vocal production (4 clips)
Terms Of Service

1/2 of payment is non-refundable. Clients may request 1 round of minor revisions (not a full redo) after hearing my work. Typical turnaround is 6-7 days due to job volume; can also offer rush service.

GenresSounds Like
  • Amy Lee
  • Sarah McLachlan
  • Alison Krauss
Gear Highlights
  • iMac
  • Mackie HR824s
  • Logic Pro X
  • Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII
  • Baby Bottle mic by BLUE
  • Yamaha S90-ES
  • Ivory by Synthogy
  • LA Scoring Strings by Audiobro
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