Dan Radin on SoundBetter

Cellist specializing in working with singer-songwriters, rock bands, folk groups, and every artist in-between. I've backed a dozen contestants who sang on The Voice, performed at official SXSW showcases, and played in bands opening for Grammy/Tony winners. Metal, rap, jazz, bluegrass, experimental- you name it, I've played it. Let's make music!

Singer-songwriters, rock bands, pop singers, rappers, and other contemporary artists use strings to evoke a different emotion and to make their songs stand out.

However, great string players are hard to come by. It's even more rare that they know how to work with non-classical artists.

If you're reading this, you probably need a cellist who can:

- work quickly and effectively with producers
- record radio-quality tracks
- improvise
- arrange string parts
- adapt to feedback
- send you revisions quickly
- understand chord charts/lead sheets
- sightread read written sheet music
- communicate honestly
- be easy and fun to work with

Like many other cellists, I've got a music degree and decades of classical training. I studied at Carnegie Mellon University with Nicole Myers (Cello Fury), played in the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and presently study with Charles Prewitt (Willie Nelson, Austin Symphony Orchestra).

I'm currently gigging most nights (and days) in the Live Music Capital of the World: Austin, Texas.

I've played in bands opening for Grammy winners, backed (a handful of) The Voice contestants, and performed official SXSW showcases.

It would be an honor to work with you on your next project.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

1 Reviews

Endorse Dan Radin

by Jez Burns
Verified (Client)
Dan is a friendly and communicative client to work with. The multitrack session sent to me for mixing was well organised, with a nice arrangement to work on, and a lot of effort and thought had gone into the tracking stage. His feedback on the mixes was detailed, clear and well considered, and he was really open to ideas. I'd happily work for him again.

Interview with Dan Radin

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: my solo project has been a dream to finally put out in the world. I wrote the full music and lyrics, and played all cello, guitars, vocals, and most piano. You can find it anywhere you stream music online under "Dan Radin."
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: my first solo album as an artist! drops 5/3/24 on all platforms. producing a handful of projects for other artists: CJ Sparks, Ashley Monical, to name a few
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Jez Burns - mixing, Jesse Johnson - bass
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog preamps, digital mixing and editing. Once the quality audio file is in the box, you can emulate and modify any sound in the world conveniently with high quality results.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: their satisfaction is my top priority.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: working with artists on taking their songs to the next level.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you come to my studio? - sure, just give me a couple of dates/times you have available. Do you know any violinists? - tons. they're top notch. Can you arrange a string quartet part? - definitely. Are you available to tour? - you bet. the studio is a blast, but I LOVE the road. How fast can you turn around a part? - as soon as you need it.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Every cellist is pigeonholed into classical music. Some of us play by ear- and in other genres!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's your turnaround time? Do you have a reference track? What other instruments will be added to this song?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make sure you get audio or video examples from everyone. ESPECIALLY in the genre that you play in. A player's past work is the only indicator you have of their capabilities.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Cello, large diaphragm condenser, laptop, headphones, mini fridge.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing cello for 25 years. Played in the symphony at the University of Pittsburgh and studied with Nicole Myers of Cello Fury at Carnegie Mellon University. Playing at a professional level in Austin since 2015. Started learning about production from various producers when I'd go into studios to record cello with clients.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Classically-trained with a pop ear.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Hozier. I can sense so much opportunity for strings within his songs to give them depth and texture.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Silence is also a note.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, Rock, Folk, Acoustic, Singer-songwriter. I've also supported artists in country, bluegrass, jazz, metal.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening to the song and understanding how the parts come together to compliment on another.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A sharp technique from classical training, a producer's ear to compliment and serve the song, and a professional and fun attitude.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Client sends me a wav/MP3, a reference track, and if they've written a part, the cello sheet music. I record and edit my cello and can typically send a track back to the client within 48 hours.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I've got a handful of commercial-grade mics from Warm Audio, Shure, Rode, and MXL. I run Ableton Live with a wide variety of plugins from Plugin Alliance, Native Instruments, Izotope, Waves, etc.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I'm a big fan of artists that run the full spectrum of writing/performing/producing: Jack Antonoff, Dan Auerbach, John Mayer.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I'm a cellist that specializes in folk, rock, and pop. I work a TON with singer-songwriters, rock bands, folk bands, and have done everything from metal to bluegrass to jazz as well. Additionally, I work for other artists on production: engineering if they need help recording, arranging/pre-production, mixing, and mix feedback.