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 an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Credits
Languages
- English
- French
- Russian
381 Reviews - 49 Repeat Clients
Endorse Lydia Salnikova
check_circleVerifiedMore praises for Lydia. She is totally professional and never disappoints. Each and every track we have done together sounds great. This latest song is sounding so good with all the extra layers of backing vocals and harmonies. Just simply an amazing job. On to the next one with Lydia.
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Amazing as always! Lydia always has the perfect touch. I can't imagine doing this with anyone else. Thank you!
check_circleVerifiedLydia is great to work with; she delivered an excellent vocal track along with a wonderful piano backing on an original tune I'm working on. She hit the mark once again; a true professional.
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Amazing as always. The song sounds beautiful. I’ve said it before so professional and great to work with. Thank you
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Lydia is unbelievably professional and delivered the perfect vocals for my project. I will be hiring her again and again. I cannot recommend her enough!
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Always a pleasure working with Lydia. If you’re reading reviews, just stop and send Lydia a message. You won’t regret having her on your tracks.
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You will not find a better choice among female singers on SB than Lydia. I have hired her on projects for lead and backing vocals and she created perfect tracks that were mix ready. This time she also played piano and made a moving, heartfelt part. Lydia is not just a singer she is an artist so she understands how to put heart and soul into music. Highly recommended!
check_circleVerifiedAgain and again and again Lydia delivers and sings like a choir of angels if you need bgvs. She adds to your arrangement or can write her own for you, so diverse and talented. In my newest song she added tension chords which fit so perfect and made normal areas of the song even more interesting and beautiful. Yay, thanks so much, the world will appreciate your efforts!
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Highly recommended professional player and singer. Always fast results with a high quality track in the end.
check_circleVerifiedI have frequently collaborated with Lydia, and even though I am already confident in her impeccable work, she never ceases to amaze me. She is simply the most wonderful singer there is.
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Lydia is a wonderful vocalist and a consummate musician and professional. She is an absolute joy to work with - I simply couldn't recommend anyone higher. Not only is she a great singer and overall musician, she is also great at communicating - a superb team player who I would welcome on any project. She clearly outlines her plans to project goals, keeps you totally updated on progress, and meets or usually exceeds project goals and timelines. She brings out the best musically in all respects.
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I'm beginning to sound like a broken record by saying "way great" over and over, but hey...if the shoe fits! Lydia is as strong of an arranger as it gets in whatever genre you choose. I handed off a less then half finished bgv arrangement and she improved it and added on more wonderful layered vocals that will bring happy chills to any listener that hears it.
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Honestly, there is nothing Lydia can't do when it comes to working on your music. She took a 60s Beach Boys type song and arranged the backups masterfully, much like Brian Wilson would have (high praise indeed). But she gave it her touch and made it even better. If you arrange your own vocals, consider saving much time and ask her to do it for you, you won't regret it! :-)
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Lydia has a versatile touch and can bang out pop or fit into a softer arrangement with wonderful piano that complements your song. She is the real deal and always a pleasure to work with. Awesomeness personified! 😃
check_circleVerifiedWonderful! Working with Lydia is a great experience and the result is truly amazing! Highly recommend!
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Lydia's piano and B3 organ talent is as impressive as her golden voice. She made a Nashville rocker shine! If you are looking for a top notch performer for your project, look no further, trust me!
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Lydia is simply the best, end of story. I consider myself very lucky to have her superlative voice and immense bgv arranging skills on my country pop track. I’d still be trying to write the parts she instinctively and quickly arranged. Fantastic talent!
check_circleVerifiedThis was the last of this batch. Another amazing piano track delivered by Lydia! She has been amazing all throughout this project and provided the much needed richness and complexity. In the 15 jobs that she has taken on so far, she has been consistently delivering very high quality work with excellent communication. If you are looking for top-quality work with perfect consistency, give Lydia a shout! You won't be disappointed!
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Another amazing piano track by Lydia! It fits the spirit of the song very well and elevated it. Thank you for making these songs richer and the help with this project!!
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Another amazing piano track from Lydia! She is great at reading the style of a song, and coming up with piano tracks that are not only emotionally charged, but also enhance the fit between the track and the song. She is a great song strategist, putting pieces like they are on a chess board ;) Amazing to see her in action! Strongly recommended!!
Interview with Lydia Salnikova
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
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.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Check out 2 of my articles published in SoundBetter "Tutorials": "Key your song well!" and "Are we in sync?"
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
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.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Getting to make music for a living. It's a joy and a privilege.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
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.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work in multiple genres, such as pop, rock, alternative, dance/EDM, as well as country and Bluegrass.
Q: What's your typical work process?
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.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
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.
I was the Singer in this production
- Vocals – rock/pop/country (5 clips)
- Vocals – EDM (3 clips)
- Topline writing (4 clips)
- Piano/vocal production (4 clips)
- Singer - FemaleAverage price - $300 per song
- Top line writer (vocal melody)Average price - $600 per song
- PianoAverage price - $150 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $150 per song
- String ArrangerAverage price - $250 per song
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.
- 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
