Music production Specialist

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

A: Sorry to do a cop out here, but I'm proud of everything I do. Getting the privilege and responsibility of realizing someones artistic vision isn't something i take lightly. I put my all in everything I do, which makes me proud of it all.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a film score for a documentary feature film and an album. Have a listen on my score reel if you'd like: https://play.reelcrafter.com/ArmandW/Score-Reel

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

A: I heard about Soundbetter through Breana Marin on youtube. She seems really cool and she's apparently a Soundbetter Juggernaught so, check her out if you need vocals!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: People who are too busy talking gear aren't busy enough making music. For me, I use both depending on the project. But really, whatever gets people to creating more is the right answer.

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

A: That I give everything i have. Heart and soul to what we're working on.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creating with people from different walks of life and different parts of the world.

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

A: "Do you have tea?" or "Do you have coffee?" "Yes" to both And something like "hey how does that work?" and I answer.

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

A: Probably that all musicians are out partying. While I spend my Fridays and Saturdays in the studio.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is this project stemming from? What's the story?

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

A: Don't go for what looks the best. But what sounds the best. Makes you feel things. That's the people who will give you the same thing to your project. And don't let yourself be talked into working with anyone.

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

A: I'd bring my trusty Ovation 1621-4 guitar which i got as a present from my guitar mentor 20 years ago. My darbhuka drum which i got as a gift 25 years ago. Probably an Ableton Push 3 or a laptop. A kitchenette island with fridge, a stove top and oven. And by then hopefully something like a non depletable, quiet energy generator will exist. So one of those. And ofcourse the boring answer: A boat.

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

A: Over 15 years. I started as soon as i was allowed to work in music.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Melodic and very versatile.

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

A: This is impossible to answer. Again I'll refer to then entire Ninja tune catalog!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Making a great tune, good story with great lyrics, solid sound selections and instrumentation is the main thing. Always have been and always will be. That will out do and tips and tricks. Hone in on your style and taste.

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

A: I'm actually all over. But I'd say that what I've worked on the most is Pop, Hiphop (nu and old school), Electronic.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Production, writing and instrumentation.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Fresh perspectives, some you will not have thought of before, high level productions, and an even clearer way to tell the story.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Quite a bit of talking up front. Really getting up to speed on what we're looking to achieve. At that point setting up an action plan on making those things happen. Start assembling everything we need (any demos that have been made, voicenotes, ideas). Then get into writing sessions. Later on production and so on. All throughout, having check-ins so we know that we're on the right track.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in my own treated studio room. Have a Genelec 8330 setup with a sub. Throughout the years I've invested in many different interfaces, but I still keep coming back to my trusty UAD Apollo Twin, or a Quad if we're doing something a bit more intense mic wise. Too many mics, but some are the usual suspects: Shure SM7B, Rode, Neumann, Sennheiser, Audio Technica and so on. Reel to Reel recording and in the box. And a lot of instruments.

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

A: I'd say the entire catalog of Ninja Tune Records is my main source of inspiration and playlist. Bonobo, Fink, Lorn, Cinematic Orchestra, Amon Tobin, Stateless, Lapalux, Thundercat, Tycho, Weval, Glass Beams. But really any music in any genre that just makes you move, is amazing.

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

A: Depends on the project really. I've worked a lot writing music and scores for entire projects in different mediums, as well as producing and co-writing entire albums/EP projects. I'm very good at helping artists find