Producer, Writer and Engineer

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Charlie Westropp

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: Some time ago I produced and mixed a musical theatre show that ended up going on BBC Radio 2. I was listening to Elaine Paige on Sunday and I heard it come up and I thought, "That's me playing guitar!" A very cool experience.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on two tracks, one with a client in Australia with this country folk acoustic vibe. Given the distances, we've been building it from phone recordings to swapping stems online. I'm also working on a song called I'm A Marionette by Nia Nicholls, who's someone I've always loved working with. This time around we've been collecting lots of toy instruments for the percussion and bed of the song, creating a toybox ballerina feel.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital's getting so good now, but every studio will be a mix. I try to use real instruments wherever possible and avoid things like midi violin if I can help it. I have nice mics for recording nice instruments! When it comes to production and editing, that's going to be digital all the way. I do have a physical mixing desk, and that's nice and tactile, but it isn't 100% necessary.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: That they're always happy with what they leave with. I don't want there ever to be a "I wish I could have done that again", or "I wish I didn't do that". It's all subjective, so no matter what I think, if the artist is comfortable when they leave the studio, that's the most important thing.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like that bit where I see an artist on release day, seeing the love come in for their track from socials or from friends. The fact I can give that to people is very rewarding. It's not always straightforward to get there, especially on multiple day sessions where everyone gets a bit frazzled, but we find a way through and I get the artist leaving happy with their song.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Can I split up the day, or come back again? Yes. It's a creative process, and I want you to leave happy with the final product. Can I do that again? Of course, there's always a delete button. It might come out better, it might not, but if it makes you more comfortable, we can try it.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: Gear. People will watch Youtube videos and think there's only one way to do it, or that a fancy plugin will make your mixes sound incredible. Recording and producing is about experience and trusting your ears, not the plugin.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What's your favourite board game? What do you want to get out of your time with me? Do you want me to have a part of the songwriting or just record your ideas? Also, what's your ultimate goal? Do you want something to show your family or are you aiming to land it on Spotify playlists?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Go into it with an open mind. Any good producer will make suggestions. Let them! Don't be afraid to say no, and walk out of the studio with something magic.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: As in musical gear? Because, a water de-salinator and a flare gun might be high on the list... Seriously though, my laptop, Aston Spirit mic, Fender Strat, midi keyboard and a tambourine.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I studied Music Performance at uni in 2006, where I got into recording and got myself my first rig. I picked up a music production course on the side, got up to speed with all the pro tools and rigs and the rest was building experience. I went from recording friends in my mum's garden barn to working for radio to working with the likes of Incubus and James Martin - but that element of creativity and working 1-on-1 in the recording studio is still where my heart is.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: If Sabrina Carpenter joined Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - that's my sound.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I would love to play guitar and produce a record for Nick Cave - his stuff is so dark and spacious.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The heart of what we do isn't the fancy kit or the expensive plugins, it's making the performer feel comfortable. If you can set the right vibe, make them feel their music is worth working on and that they want to perform with you, you will capture them on a completely different level.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Solo singer-songwriter, pop, acoustic, and a bit of rock. I've also dabbled in hip-hop. Being a session musician, I can fill in as a band for people who need multiple instruments recorded.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Probably vocal production, and working 1-to-1 with vocalists to capture their best performance.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Lots of experience in seeing a finished vision out of an initial idea! Also I have a diverse range of influences and musical experiences so I can lend an extra ear to your song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I have two! The first, and my personal preference, is for the artist to send me some ideas or a demo, even if it's singing a chorus idea into a phone, or a guitar pattern and some chords, so long as I have some idea of direction. I will then go away and work on my own to flesh that out so that when you turn up at the studio, there's already a half-finished song waiting for you. Then we work together to make it a full, living beast. The second process is for people to turn up either having worked out the song for themselves, or to build it from the ground up with me - laying down a guide track and working from there. It's slower that way and sometimes a little less free, but then the artist has more granular control.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a single room studio here, I try to have no barriers between me and the artist, or between the artist and their ideas. I've put a lot of thought into making a studio that is comfortable and relaxed, so singers and musicians can feel safe to get creative and express themselves. I have different creative spaces dotted about with guitars and drum kits and equipment permanently set up and ready for anyone to jump on.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Steve Albini, Quincy Jones and Chris Badami.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Most of my work is producing and songwriting. I do a lot of 1-on-1 work, especially with people who don't play instruments, jumping in to make their idea come to full life. I'm set up for all manner of musicians and bands though, of course!