Lydia Salnikova

Singer/pianist, GRAMMY nominee

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402 Reviews (399 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 vocals (lead and/or BGV), topline/songwriting (bundled with recording vocals), piano/keyboards, piano/vocal recordings, string arranging, midi production and more.

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

Please note that I don’t offer partial song rates (for a single chorus or a hook). All my fees are per song up to 5 minutes in length.

When I compose/write for hire, I initially record a rough work tape of my ideas on a handheld recorder (voice memo). After client approval, 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 or 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 to making some music together!

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • Russian

402 Reviews - 50 Repeat Clients

Endorse Lydia Salnikova
  1. Review by Mike C.
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    Amazing! Lydia gets it right the first time, every time. I absolutely love working with Lydia. None of this would be the same without her. I'm very grateful and appreciative.

  2. Review by Mike C.
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    As always, Lydia delivers excellence. Always the best!

  3. Review by Andre.R
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    very good work! thank you

  4. Review by Jim D.
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    by Jim D.
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    This is the second time I've worked with Lydia, and like the first time, she nailed both the vocals and the piano arrangement the first time through. She is a true pro and the quality of her work speaks for itself.

  5. Review by Nick G.
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    There’s only one person I’d ask to do this project. Lydia. Convert a 55-piece orchestral arrangement to ONLY a single piano BUT with two pianists side-by-side, and write your part around and in direct support of a marimba score. And, don’t lose any musical power or energy. How hard could that be? I'd let Lydia answer for herself, but in my opinion there's a substantial bit of difficulty and complexity there. Lydia pulled it off brilliantly with great musicianship and creativity. Well done!

  6. Review by Paul
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    by Paul
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    Lydia is classically trained, no doubt but…she has played southern rock, pop country and even progressive pop piano for us and no challenge proves too much for her. Simply marvelous. She’s even played solo piano which is moodful and beyond lovely. Lydia is my ONLY go-to singer and pianist. I feel blessed!

  7. Review by Paul
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    by Paul
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    Lydia never ceases to amaze me! You’d think she’d have a bad day eventually and hit a sour note, haha, but it’s not in her character makeup. Perfection is the only word suitable for her massive talent and she’s like so so nice too. Just an absolute pleasure to work with going on a dozen times and more and she never dissapoints. She sings bgvs that are on the money with her lead vocal enhancing the tone and mood of the song. Bottom line, she’s your go-to singer, trust me!

  8. Review by George D
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    Multiple projects with Lydia. Very gifted professional and great to work with. The process of working with such a talented pianist and vocalist is efficient and seamless. Always great outcomes... We'll do this again!

  9. Review by George D.
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    Multiple projects with Lydia... Just a great partner, amazing voice and very pleased with the outcome. She executes direction exceptionally well and stays true to the vision. Also beat the timeline, which is always appreciated!

  10. Review by Paul
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    by Paul
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    Honestly I doubt there isn’t anything Lydia can’t accomplish. She hears music parts that so tightly wrap around your singing as a backup singer. It’s like adding angels to human voices, just heavenly. Her range is incredible as well as she hit a second tenor low note on a sing she did priorly. I’m like, huh and Wow! Just a gem always and thanks for starting the new year off with a bang!

  11. Review by Mike C.
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    Lydia is the best! I love working with her! If you’re reading reviews, stop and just reach out to her, you won’t be disappointed.

  12. Review by Paul
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    by Paul
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    Lydia is so remarkable. She played piano on a county pop track and took my straight piano and syncopated and jazzed it up immensely, it's almost worth taking all the guitars off the song and just singing to her piano! haha. She is really that good. She has multiple keyboard sounds and can play organ for you as well...so any keyboard type project you need spiced up Lydia will always hook you up and more. :-)

  13. Review by Paul
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    by Paul
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    Lydia never disappoints. She can sing lead or complement a vocal perfectly like she did with a gentle ballad I handed her with complete trust. A song in her hands gets full attention and care and she even goes the extra mile and ensures her vocals fits the song structure and not draw away from the songs meaning in any way. She centered her attention on the beauty of the song and I said this before, she sings like an angel and many tears will be shed from this song in a good way thanks to Lydia!

  14. Review by Paul L.
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    Thank you Lydia for delivering another great track. I am always in safe super talented hands working with you. On to the next one.

  15. Review by Mike C.
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    Amazing as always! I always love working with Lydia. No matter the project, Lydia’s touch always takes it to the next level.

  16. Review by Paul L.
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    Once again an amazing job on a song which is different from my normal. I am always in safe super talented hands with Lydia and her incredible ear to pick up a beautiful melody and stunning voice. Need I say, another track is arriving very soon for you to work on.

  17. Review by Burkay D.
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    Another amazing vocal work by Lydia! She has created harmony that sounds very rich and fits the song. She also came up with creative melodic variations that bring richness as well. She went above my expectations on how good she could make it sound!

  18. Review by Burkay D.
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    Another amazing songwriting job by Lydia! Great initiative and ownership! Created more than I expected and gone above and beyond to make it perfect!

  19. Review by Paul Kevin
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    Lydia is a gifted pianist and is an amazing organist. Oh yeah, she sings too! She listens and adapts and fits in the perfect parts in a tasty manner.

    She complements songs that are a bit complex because she is a natural song writer no matter what genre she will find the sweet spot of the chord. She does the same with her bgv arrangements as well. I consider myself blessed working with Lydia. So fun and so Great!

  20. Review by Burkay D.
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    Lydia is amazing with songwriting as she is in vocals! She wrote amazing lyrics, vocal and harmony melodies and sung it perfectly well. She was able to analyze the direction I gave her very well and created the exact atmosphere that I had in mind. Very talented!

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 – rock/pop/country (5 clips)

I was the Singer in this production


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    Vocals – rock/pop/country (5 clips)
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    Vocals – EDM (3 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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