Paul Santo on SoundBetter

From Aerosmith to a Beatle and beyond, I play the things you want to hear. Someone else said "you play all the notes I wanted to hear but never expected to..". Here's a chance to have hi-level pro tracks that •mean something• on your tunes! I create tracks that add and support your song, and I'm very good at it. And my coaching advice is spot on!!

I am a Grammy-awarded multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer and problem-solver....ie; a music career coach who can help focus your progress, dissect your songs and production and generally be helpful in a world where help is rare and often misguided....at your service.
I've recorded and played on records that have sold millions and I'm just as enthusiastic and serious about someone who has yet to sell any, and everyone in between. It's the music that counts.
My guitar, keyboard and bass playing, as well as producing and mixing, is very distinct. If you're looking for song-appropriate parts played with enormous feel, look no further. I specialize in creating parts that distinguish a song and help it stand apart from the crowd.
Part of what makes me different is my ability and willingness to listen carefully to a client to help them reach their objective. Often clients combine my session playing with my concise, no-nonsense evaluations and positive suggestions regarding songwriting, performance and production.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

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

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Interview with Paul Santo

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I played bass on a Michael Bolton record, lived at an ex-Beatles cottage for a while, was a guest at a rock hall induction and witnessed the entire day's rehearsals 10' from Jeff Beck, Joe Perry and Jimmy Page, played a show with Aerosmith at the Boston Garden with no rehearsal and jammed with David Gilmour playing drums for a couple of minutes....too much to choose from!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Creating my Soundbetter profile!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not yet.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. I'm impatient and don't like waiting for the tape to rewind.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To try to get to what you want, even if you're not sure what that is.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: That I have the gig in the first place.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: "What was Ringo like?" "He was very nice!"
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That imagination is common.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: "Why are you doing this and whattaya hope to get from it?"
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Follow your instincts and ask questions that you have decided are important. Come from a place of self-assurance and never from fear.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A solar generator so I could plug my '68 Telecaster and '68 SG into my tweed Deluxe. That's 4, right? Better take the Echoplex with me!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: You'll have to read my book for that....too extensive a trajectory for here!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Intergalactic.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Adam Sandler.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Trust your instincts. You'll find out soon enough if you should.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock/rock and roll, psychedelia, traditional and modern country, jazz, funk and all things funky.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: To see the overall big picture while simultaneously micromanaging the details.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Without sounding like a pompous blowhard (hopefully), I can bring almost whatever the song requires.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I listen.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Highly functional, high-speed creative environ, with esoteric goodies galore.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I find something interesting in almost everything, even if I don't personally enjoy the music....so, ideas and inspiration come from all angles. My reference points are also personal...working for so long with Aerosmith, for instance, as well as acquired through artists I've only listened to or watched. My favorite rock and roll band is The Who ('65-78). My favorite solo artist would be Frank Zappa. My taste in guitarists is REALLY extensive but the root of my own style is a weird hybrid of English blues influenced guitarists and Bakersfield Telecaster techniques. Although I enjoy the esoteric, I tend to hear songs that really move me...."Circles" by Post Malone, "I've Got My Eye On You" by Lana Del Rey, "Evicted" by Wilco are a few more recent examples of inspirational cuts.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My most common gig is specialty session work and coaching, but often my clients combine the two: I not only fulfill their needs for top-quality tracks, but they frequently consult me on areas they need advice or support in, like arrangements, production and mixes. I LOVE that combination because it gives me an opportunity to really make a difference in someone's work but also in their habits; the best situations are when the client •learns• and incorporates the ideas into their toolbox!
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I played bass on a Michael Bolton record, lived at an ex-Beatles cottage for a while, was a guest at a rock hall induction and witnessed the entire day's rehearsals 10' from Jeff Beck, Joe Perry and Jimmy Page, played a show with Aerosmith at the Boston Garden with no rehearsal and jammed with David Gilmour playing drums for a couple of minutes....too much to choose from!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Creating my Soundbetter profile!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not yet.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. I'm impatient and don't like waiting for the tape to rewind.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To try to get to what you want, even if you're not sure what that is.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: That I have the gig in the first place.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: "What was Ringo like?" "He was very nice!"
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That imagination is common.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: "Why are you doing this and whattaya hope to get from it?"
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Follow your instincts and ask questions that you have decided are important. Come from a place of self-assurance and never from fear.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A solar generator so I could plug my '68 Telecaster and '68 SG into my tweed Deluxe. That's 4, right? Better take the Echoplex with me!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: You'll have to read my book for that....too extensive a trajectory for here!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Intergalactic.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Adam Sandler.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Trust your instincts. You'll find out soon enough if you should.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock/rock and roll, psychedelia, traditional and modern country, jazz, funk and all things funky.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: To see the overall big picture while simultaneously micromanaging the details.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Without sounding like a pompous blowhard (hopefully), I can bring almost whatever the song requires.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I listen.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Highly functional, high-speed creative environ, with esoteric goodies galore.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I find something interesting in almost everything, even if I don't personally enjoy the music....so, ideas and inspiration come from all angles. My reference points are also personal...working for so long with Aerosmith, for instance, as well as acquired through artists I've only listened to or watched. My favorite rock and roll band is The Who ('65-78). My favorite solo artist would be Frank Zappa. My taste in guitarists is REALLY extensive but the root of my own style is a weird hybrid of English blues influenced guitarists and Bakersfield Telecaster techniques.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My most common gig is specialty session work and coaching, but often my clients combine the two: I not only fulfill their needs for top-quality tracks, but they frequently consult me on areas they need advice or support in, like arrangements, production and mixes. I LOVE that combination because it gives me an opportunity to really make a difference in someone's work but also in their habits; the best situations are when the client •learns• and incorporates the ideas into their toolbox!
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I played bass on a Michael Bolton record, lived at an ex-Beatles cottage for a while, was a guest at a rock hall induction and witnessed the entire day's rehearsals 10' from Jeff Beck, Joe Perry and Jimmy Page, played a show with Aerosmith at the Boston Garden with no rehearsal and jammed with David Gilmour playing drums for a couple of minutes....too much to choose from!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Creating my Soundbetter profile!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not yet.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. I'm impatient and don't like waiting for the tape to rewind.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To try to get to what you want, even if you're not sure what that is.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: That I have the gig in the first place.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: "What was Ringo like?" "He was very nice!"
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That imagination is common.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: "Why are you doing this and whattaya hope to get from it?"
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Follow your instincts and ask questions that you have decided are important. Come from a place of self-assurance and never from fear.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A solar generator so I could plug my '68 Telecaster and '68 SG into my tweed Deluxe. That's 4, right? Better take the Echoplex with me!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: You'll have to read my book for that....too extensive a trajectory for here!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Intergalactic.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Adam Sandler.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Trust your instincts. You'll find out soon enough if you should.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock/rock and roll, psychedelia, traditional and modern country, jazz, funk and all things funky.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: To see the overall big picture while simultaneously micromanaging the details.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Without sounding like a pompous blowhard (hopefully), I can bring almost whatever the song requires.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I listen.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Highly functional, high-speed creative environ, with esoteric goodies galore.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I find something interesting in almost everything, even if I don't personally enjoy the music....so, ideas and inspiration come from all angles. My reference points are also personal...working for so long with Aerosmith, for instance, as well as acquired through artists I've only listened to or watched. My favorite rock and roll band is The Who ('65-78). My favorite solo artist would be Franz Zappa. My taste in guitarists is REALLY extensive but the root of my own style is a weird hybrid of English blues influenced guitarists and Bakersfield Telecaster techniques.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My most common gig is specialty session work and coaching, but often my clients combine the two: I not only fulfill their needs for top-quality tracks, but they frequently consult me on areas they need advice or support in, like arrangements, production and mixes. I LOVE that combination because it gives me an opportunity to really make a difference in someone's work but also in their habits; the best situations are when the client •learns• and incorporates the ideas into their toolbox!
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I played bass on a Michael Bolton record, lived at an ex-Beatles cottage for a while, was a guest at a rock hall induction and witnessed the entire day's rehearsals 10' from Jeff Beck, Joe Perry and Jimmy Page, played a show with Aerosmith at the Boston Garden with no rehearsal and jammed with David Gilmour playing drums for a couple of minutes....too much to choose from!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Creating my Soundbetter profile!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not yet.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. I'm impatient and don't like waiting for the tape to rewind.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To try to get to what you want, even if you're not sure what that is.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: That I have the gig in the first place.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: "What was Ringo like?" "He was very nice!"
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That imagination is common.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: "Why are you doing this and whattaya hope to get from it?"
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Follow your instincts and ask questions that you have decided are important. Come from a place of self-assurance and never from fear.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A solar generator so I could plug my '68 Telecaster and '68 SG into my tweed Deluxe. That's 4, right? Better take the Echoplex with me!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: You'll have to read my book for that....too extensive a trajectory for here!
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Intergalactic.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Adam Sandler.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Trust your instincts. You'll find out soon enough if you should.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock/rock and roll, psychedelia, traditional and modern country, jazz, funk and all things funky.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: To see the overall big picture while simultaneously micromanaging the details.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Without sounding like a pompous blowhard (hopefully), I can bring almost whatever the song requires.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I listen.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Highly functional, high-speed creative environ, with esoteric goodies galore.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I find something interesting in almost everything, even if I don't personally enjoy the music....so, ideas and inspiration come from all angles. My reference points are also personal...working for so long with Aerosmith, for instance, as well as acquired through artists I've only listened to or watched. My favorite rock and roll band is The Who. My favorite solo artist would be Franz Zappa. My taste in guitarists is REALLY extensive but the root of my own style is a weird hybrid of English blues influenced guitarists and Bakersfield Telecaster techniques.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My most common gig is specialty session work and coaching, but often my clients combine the two: I not only fulfill their needs for top-quality tracks, but they frequently consult me on areas they need advice or support in, like arrangements, production and mixes. I LOVE that combination because it gives me an opportunity to really make a difference in someone's work but also in their habits; the best situations are when the client •learns• and incorporates the ideas into their toolbox!