Chris Baue on SoundBetter

I help artists refine and elevate their existing sound into a cohesive, era-level identity. I specialize in collaborative production for alt, indie, and experimental artists who already have momentum and want their music to feel more focused, emotionally clear, and fully realized.

I’m a producer who specializes in refining and elevating an artist’s existing sound—helping turn a developing identity into a cohesive, intentional body of work.

I work best with artists who already have a point of view and some momentum, but feel like their music hasn’t fully landed yet. Often the writing and instincts are strong, but the sound lacks clarity, cohesion, or a consistent emotional through-line. That’s the gap I focus on.

My process is deeply collaborative. I spend time understanding your story, influences, and artistic intent, then shape production choices around what’s already true in your music. Rather than forcing a genre or chasing trends, I help artists sharpen their identity so the project feels honest, focused, and unmistakably theirs.

I’m especially drawn to artists thinking in terms of EPs, albums, or eras—not just isolated singles. Cohesion matters to me: how songs relate to each other, how emotion carries across a project, and how production supports the narrative instead of distracting from it.

Best fit for alt, indie, alt-pop, experimental, and genre-blended artists who care about emotional clarity, sonic identity, and long-form growth.

If you’re looking for a collaborative creative partner—not just someone to execute files—we’ll probably work well together.

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

Endorse Chris Baue

Interview with Chris Baue

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The first EP I ever produced showed me how powerful it is to help an artist discover and define their sound, and that process of clarity and development has been what I’ve chased in every project since.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Several artist projects focused on defining new eras and tightening sonic identity.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I’m always happy to recommend collaborators when it’s a better fit than me.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both—whatever best serves the emotion and the moment.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I’ll protect the emotional truth of the song while helping it reach its full potential.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Helping artists hear themselves more clearly.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: “How do I make this song feel more like me?”—by focusing on intention before sound.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That production is about adding more instead of clarifying what’s already there.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you trying to say, and where does this project fit in your bigger story?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Look for someone who listens to your music deeply, not just your references.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A great vocal mic like the Neumann U87, a reliable interface (UA is my go-to), solid monitors (my Barefoot 03 pair), a guitar (my custom Dekka Guitars 'Boda'), and the NeuralDSP Quad Cortex for tracking.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I came up as a musician and producer and have been working seriously in production for several years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Collaborative, intentional, and identity-first.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Artists who are mid-transition creatively, because that’s where the most honest work happens.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: If something feels off, it’s usually an intention problem, not a technical one.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Alt, indie, indie-pop, and genre-blended music that’s artist-driven and emotionally focused.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Hearing an artist’s identity clearly and translating it into focused production decisions.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Clarity, cohesion, and a sense of direction that helps the song feel like itself.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It usually starts with long conversations about vision and intent, then building production choices around that core.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: It’s a hybrid studio built around great monitoring, strong front-end capture, and a mix of modern and vintage instruments.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I’m inspired by artists and producers who prioritize identity, restraint, and emotional honesty over trends. Currently amazed by artists like Andrew Aged, Olivia Dean, and Djo.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I help artists refine their existing sound into something more cohesive, intentional, and fully realized.