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I’m a conservatory-trained musician/producer with a lifetime of professional experience in performance, composition and recording. My work ranges from electronic through rock, orchestral and singer-songwriter genres. Services: Bass dubbing, Mixing, Arranging Double Bass, E. Bass, Guitar, Pkn, Programming
Started as a symphonic bassist in the late 80's
Worked in a jingle house in Hong Kong in the late 90's
Opened my own shop for corporate communications after that.
Spent 10 years in the 2000's doing creative music, touring and recording my own bands.
At the same time, I built a full service studio in Hong Kong, recording and producing a wide variety of music, from
Rock, Alternative and Pop to Jazz and Audiophile.
I was active as a journeyman bassist the whole time, playing jazz, rock, pop etc.
Now living in CT, I am balancing the commercial and creative. I am offering bass dubbing (both electric and upright) and mixing services.
Friendly, responsive service...
Thanks for looking.
Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.
Credits
- Mediabox Productions LTD sound design and music
- Phillips sound design and music
- Toys R Us music
- UPS sound design and music
- Fedex production and recording mixing engineer
- Discovery Asia music and sound design
- Fung Hang Records Audiophile production and bass
- Wayne Cristaudo production engineering arranging and bass
- Gary Hurlstone production engineering and bass
- Toy Captain production and engineering
- Logo production and engineering
- Ragni Olaffstottir production engineering and bass
- Marsha Yuan engineering and bass
- Uptown Music Hong Kong LTD music and sound design
- Melodise LTD music composition
- Guy LeClaire 3 Logic Music production engineering and bass
- Joe Rosenberg production engineering and bass
- Masako Hamamura production engineering and bass
- Lawrence Ku production engineering and bass
- Toby Mak production and bass
- 1 Hr Music composition production engineering and bass
- Bruce Huron production engineering and bass
- Dominic Chow Kai San bass and guitar
- Edmund Leung bass
- Candy Lo bass
- Kenny Bee bass
- Ted Lo bass production engineering
- Tony Scherr bass
- Taylor Ho Bynum bass
- Michael Blake bass
- Eric James studio services
- Chris Babida bass
- Adam Brass bass soundscapes guitar for beats
- etcetera
- Henry Wai Man Lai bass
- The Nashville Symphony double bass
- The Hong Kong Philharmonic Assistant Principle Double Bass electric bass utility guitar
- Aksan Sjuman engineering bass production
- Ginger Kwan engineering bass
- Khalil Fong string arrangement bass
- Edward Chan bass guitar double bass
9 Reviews
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Peter is awesome, he’s very professional and very easy to work with. He will deliver 100% quality work and he’s always willing to work until you’re happy with his work.
Peter is a fantastic weapon of creativity! We have worked together in various capacities, on several projects in the past and I always enjoy working with Peter. He brings a fresh uplifting spirit to the session no matter what role he is tasked with. He recently provided me AMAZINGLY interesting textures/instrumentation to use in my programing.
Peter has been an inspiration for me since i met him in Hong Kong in the 90's. He has been dedicated writing and recording great music at his studio in Hong Kong since that time. Some great albums were made in there. He is also a true trail blazer for music in China, funding ground breaking tours of his own music all over the country. Respect!
One of the most gifted and skilled musos on the market today. Call him for anything bass and production. Tours are a delight and Pete always offers a word of grace and wisdom.
Peter is a wonderful person and musician who always put quality first. Highly recommended.
Peter is great jazz bassist and great engineer. He pulls incredibly true sounds in the studio, and his mixing skills are top notch. A genuine musician's musician and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!!
As the founder of Uptown Music HK Ltd (1993-2005 ), I found Mr. Peter Scherr to be a very creative and seasoned composer and arranger. The scope of our collaboration with Mr Scherr include post-scoring for tv commercials and videos. Mr Scherr had always delivered extraordinary results within industry's extremely tight timelines.
I have worked for and with Peter several times in the studio and performance. He is meticulous and always concerned with achieving the best end product that is as close as possible to the goal of his clients. He is a fantastic bass player and a talented engineer. The studio is always full of amazing gear, and a man that knows his way around it.
I had the pleasure of working with Peter in his studio in Hong Kong where he both recorded and produced my first album, The Zen Kick. Peter is an extremely versatile and accomplished musician and arranger with an ear for detail and a creative drive that pushes for the best from the people he works with and for. A great guy as well!
Interview with Peter Scherr
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: As a bass player, I am looking for a chance to let the notes breathe. Forward motion that springs from intelligent, swinging economy. With mixing, it's a combination of technique and feel. Never trying to force something to be other than what it is. Sometimes the client's reference doesn't really relate to their song, and I explain that with the arrangement that they have, it's not realistic to expect that it will turn out like the ref. Maybe they were inspired by this thing, but the song at hand is Their thing. Once the sonics are in the ballpark, and edits and mutes are done, I find that the song often has a strong pull in a particular direction. (e.g. is it a new sounding thing? More vintage and rootsy? Huge bottom? Or is it kind of thin-sounding and Should be that way, etc.) Happy accidents often turn into interesting "features" for a particular song. However, it's important to get the best out of the tracks that you are given. Good phase relationships and sensible eq, comp and spatial processing decisions are very important... As a composer, I am influenced by deep immersion in classical music at a young age, also early exposure to great rock music. I'm into a lot of different things. The music has to serve the project at hand. I find that once I am on the same page with my client, I start writing from my notes, and if I get a nice vibe going, things are usually going to be alright. Sure, there inevitably will be revisions, but that's to be expected.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I studied music in college, preparing for a career as a symphonic bassist. I did that for ten years, starting in Nashville, (where I developed a love for country music), and then moving to Hong Kong, where I lived for 25 years and played Assistant Principal Double Bass in the Hong Kong Philharmonic. I had a couple of years in a music house in HK after leaving the symphony in 1996. Then I had my own shop for a few years. I ditched it all in 2000, and for the next ten years, I relentlessly pursued my passion for Creative Music (a wide ranging genre, I take it to mean outgrowths from Jazz music. It can be anything though.) Taking bands on tour and recording. Writing for and performing with these bands. I have many recordings of original music from this period of which I am very proud. Also in the early 2000's I built a lovely full service recording studio in Hong Kong and produced a lot of different types of things. Jazz, Rock, Alternative, Audiophile etc. Now, recently returned stateside, I am focusing on balancing my commercial and creative sides. I guess my first orchestra job started in the fall of 87, and I've been acquiring and using recording equipment ever since I started working. So yeah, I've been at this a long time.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Haha, I guess the biggest one that I would get back in Hong Kong was from the Canto Pop music directors. They were really nice to me, I mean we were friends. Maybe they'd see me playing with one of my crazy jazz/experimental groups and or they heard that I played in the symphony and they'd think: "Why would this guy want to play MOR Chinese Pop music.... he's one of those "SERIOUS CATS". I thought it was funny -and a bit frustrating, because I really enjoy doing a job, whatever it is, and giving it my best. Hell, those Canto Poppers please a lot of people every night. It might not be my first choice to listen to at home, but it's definitely a THING, and there are a lot of great musicians who do it. Every time that I did do it, I enjoyed the experience.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My place is a writing/mixing/overdub setup. I don't do drums here. The room sounds fantastic. Very accurate monitoring setup. Protools 12HDX Huge set of plugs. Everything I need. I don't shop for gear much. Lots of fine outboard gear. Incredible collection of mics, both vintage and modern. Beautiful basses, guitars, percussion instruments, synthesizers etc.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I am a bassist, comfortable on electric and upright bass. Started as a symphonic player (tho always played in rock and jazz bands as a kid), moved on to more serious jazz, "creative music", rock music etc. Love all kinds of music, and am happy laying down the bottom so that everyone can feel comfortable. I write a lot of music. I've done a considerable amount of post-scoring, and now I am concentrating on building a catalogue of music for licensing purposes. I'm a confirmed (25 years plus) studio rat. I am offering mixing services at the moment. I also freelance for an audiobook publisher. The work involves audio editing, restoration and mastering.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Please feel free to reach out to me. I'd love to hear about what you are into. If I feel I can help, lets figure it out. If not, I know a lot of great people who do all kinds of things, and I'd be happy to steer to you someone who can do what you need better than I can.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Playing bass on my brother Tony Scherr's records Come Around and Twist in the Wind. Playing with Kenny Wollesen, one of the world's great drummers on these was an honor. And Tony's music is so emotional and strong. They are rock/singer songwriter records. Very durable, these.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I play bass a lot, and I'm getting to know some fine musicians in the area with a view towards playing live, various kinds of things. I'm building a catalogue of music for licensing, getting into writing music for live performance, and looking for bass dubbing and mixing clients. Also my day job at the audiobook publisher keeps me going.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I'm a digital baby. I started on 4 track cassette, and then got one of the first ADATS. Then got into ProTools in '94... These days, just because of the nature of PT HDX, I try to shape my sounds the way that I will want them on the way in with a bit of judicious comp and eq. With a few irreplaceable analogue outboard exceptions (like the TG1), I find that I am very happy with plugins for processing, even on the 2 bus. I've had a lot of experience with the Chandler summing mixer, and that's great, but that thing is in HK and I am here, and I've learned to love what I have now. I appreciate the flexibility of editing in a digital environment. Not so much to salvage a weak performance, but to use as a creative tool. To re-compose things...
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What would you like to do? What do you need? Do you have references? (ref. recordings for style and sound)
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not yet, new to the area
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will work until you love it. Period. If I don't think that I'm the guy that can do that for you at the outset, I'll be happy to recommend someone better for your project.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being involved with music every day and working with creative people.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Usually there are very practical questions about how long things are likely to take, how much things cost etc. I try to be realistic and fair. Both to the client and myself.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: For bass dubbing, I've done many things. Pop, rock, jazz, film music etc. I work on a lot of original composition, ranging from electronic through rock, singer songwriter, jazz, creative music and soundtrack/orchestral music. For mixing, I am great on band type stuff, rock and jazz, also country and rootsy things.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: The list is long. A blizzard of fascinating musicians, producers and engineers working throughout the history of recorded music. I am always on the lookout for something new to fall in love with.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Hmmm... 2 mics, a simple interface, a computer (with software) and accurate monitors. Hey, can I bring mic stands and musical instruments too?
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Hmmm, If I had the chance, I'd give my right arm to produce Jojo Guo. She's an extremely talented young girl who lives in Guangzhou China. Fantastic writer, and absolutely unique melodic and rhythmic language in her singing. Very nice person. Good family. It shows.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Music production tip... Hmmm.... It's all about the artist, what they are trying to do. What is their vision? It's not my thing, it's theirs. At the outset, if I believe I can help them to get to where they want to go, I'm in. Sometimes that means setting up the room and not saying a lot, maybe just helping people to know when they are getting tired and should take a break. Other times, it means helping to enhance the writing, a bit of arranging etc. Sometimes it means pushing an artist until they break through the wall and get a great take. Flexibility in approach is important. Respect is paramount. Trust takes time. Listen for excitement, emotion, not necc. clinical accuracy -though people need to be able to play. A bum note doesn't cancel out a great take. I guess that's more than one, eh? Hell, ask me about eq or something :)
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I have a deep skill set, but it all starts with the ability to understand what I am hearing, and the ability to be moved by a lot of different things. A combination of the rational serving the inspirational.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: As a player, I bring a very deep understanding and experience with many forms of music. I am interested in creating supporting parts. They may or may not be interesting in their own right. It depends upon what the client is looking for. Though I can display flying fingers and all that, I'm more into finding the pocket and letting everything and everyone else feel good. Then I feel good. As an engineer, I have the ability to understand and enjoy many kinds of sounds. Clean, dirty, old, new. I have a huge bag of tools, and I understand how to use them. It doesn't take long for me to solve the basic sonic issues. I find in mixing that you get to a point where the song becomes itself, becomes what it is supposed to be. Sometimes it takes a bit of a journey to get there, but I love the process. I am open to all suggestions. If someone wants to try something that I haven't thought of, the only answer is, let's try it. Never "that's not gonna work". Who knows? Maybe it will be fantastic. Or not. Same goes for my ideas. Just because I spend a bit of time on some idea does not mean that I will be married to it. If it doesn't work, out it goes.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: For bass dubbing, I will take the brief from the client (It's good to have a reference to check out for sound and style), listen to the track, follow on chart if provided, and make any corrections or charts necessary. I'll try a few takes and comp something together for the client to review. Then with their feedback, I'll make any adjustments needed, and try again. Usually this sorts it out. For mixing, the process starts with a brief, and a review of the client's multi's. Here, references are also helpful. Depending on the complexity of the song, I can usually get the initial mix in a half day to a full day. Then back to the client for notes. Then revisions, and approval.
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I was the Compsor, Producer/Engineer, Artist (All Vocals and instruments) in this production
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $100 per song
- Bass UprightAverage price - $100 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $350 per song
1 maj rev, 1 touch up incl. in price. Additional revs will be charged
Half day for bass parts (V. 1)
1 day/song for mixing (V. 1)
- Not Applicable
- Classic Neumanns
- RCA mics
- Protools HDX
- Universal Audio plugins
- Chandler TG1 limiter
- Neve
- API
- Dan Kennedy Pre's etc.