Travis Raab

Session Guitarist

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13 Reviews (8 Verified)
Travis Raab on SoundBetter

I’ve toured with Katharine McPhee & Andrew McMahon in The Wilderness (Jack's Mannequin, Something Corporate). You've heard my work on MTV's "Super Shore", Warner Bros. "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase", HBO's "How to Make it in America" and commercials for brands like Pedigree & Remington. I was house band guitarist on the CW TV show "Oh Sit!".

I am a producer and a session guitarist specializing in Pop, Electronic-Pop, EDM, and acoustic styles from over a decade of working in Los Angeles. I've not only toured across the USA and Asia with artists like Kat McPhee and Andrew McMahon, but my work has been featured in commercials, and I've mixed for TV shows like Judd Appatow's "Love" on Netflix. I transcribed for Cheech & Chong's "Almost Legal Book for Stoners".

My Barn recording studio is filled with vintage gear including a Tascam 388 Studio 8 Analog Tape Machine, Fender Vibrolux Reverb, 1958 Gretsch Anniversary, and a Neuman U87.

Being creative is my passion. I love coming up with catchy parts, guitar hooks, and meeting up and coming artists and making new music. I provide excellent attention to detail and great communication. I pride myself on working hard for my clients, and delivering what they want.

I am always trying to get better at what I do and I'd love to collaborate and help you make your project great.

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

13 Reviews - 3 Repeat Clients

Endorse Travis Raab
  1. Review by Reginald
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    Travis reliably delivers every single time. Guitars and production. He totally nailed it.

  2. Review by Adarsh F.
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    I hired one other guitarist and received some work that was good but not great and so I was looking for someone else. I found Travis who recorded the job and it was a much much better fit. The right 80s vibe. Very very good job and also he sent it right to me the next day.

  3. Review by Reginald
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    This is now my second time working with Travis. Once again, he gave me the exact feeling I asked for, guitar sounds that sit perfectly in the mix, and he did it on the first try. This was a very specific request (slide guitar ala a very specific song). Travis gave me multiple options and delivered in LESS than 24 hours. Inspired playing, professional in every way, and just overall excellent musician. I plan to use him for my whole album. A++

  4. Review by Aalap D.
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    Travis is a brilliant musician, composer who went above and beyond for recording acoustic guitar on a song. It was a pleasure working with him. The track delivery was super fast as well ! I loved some ideas that he came up with for the song. Will surely be working with him again in the future !

  5. Review by Jorm Sandström
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    Always a pleasure to work with Travis!
    Fast delivery and high quality!

  6. Review by Reginald
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    I was looking for guitarist who could flesh out my ideas so I could produce my songs in my acoustic, folk, country style genre. I was absolutely blown away by Travis's playing. I've never hired someone who recorded guitars that were perfectly useable and perfectly mixed the first time I heard them. (He provided me with a free mix that was amazing). He didn't overplay - he played just was right and it simply just made my songs better. Travis is a brilliant guitarist and musician.

  7. Review by InspireStudios
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    ok,. Travis is one amazing Music producer!!! i cannot thank him enough for being so patient and delivering absolutely what i had in my mind,,Travis was really good at understanding what my song needed,, his guitars are amazing! perfect timing! clean sound,amazing Bass,Guitars,keys and drums! i was so impressed by his dedication and hard work,,it seemed like he did it too easy!and he did it FAST!! but it was a difficult track to produce,, i am so happy working with him!HEz the one to Hire!!!!!

  8. Review by Jorm Sandström
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    Great guy, easy to work with, Travis won't stop working until you have the sound you are looking for!

  9. Review by Christopher Baron
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    by Christopher Baron

    Awesome teacher! Skilled, creative and patient! Highly recommended!!!

  10. Review by Haley
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    by Haley

    Travis is a great producer to work with! He was full of ideas about how to make my acoustic melody + lyrics the best it could be. We ended up with a song that had escalation and differences between each of the verses/choruses/bridge to keep the listener engaged - all thanks to Travis's insightful vocal direction and vision for the instrumentation. I would highly recommend bringing your songs to him to get professional-level recordings!

  11. Review by Makinna
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    by Makinna

    Travis is an amazing producer and artist to work with. He helped bring to life my simple four chord song and turn it into a compelling track with so many textures. He made the whole process seamless and was game for any idea I had even if it at first seemed a bit out of reach. I was above and beyond impressed with the way it turned out and even more so with how effortless and professional an environment he provided. He really had the vision, insight and talent to bring forth your best work. If you need any assistance I definitely recommend working with Travis!

  12. Review by Gian Z.
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    I am one half of production duo The PsyClones.Travis has been a great session guitarist and collaborater! We can always expect great recording quality.. guitars always sound amazing! Easy to work with and just overall talented musician and great person. Highly recommend!

  13. Review by Connor J.
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    I had a blast working with Travis! He produced an awesome four song EP for me. He has a real talent for hearing just how far you can take a song, and he squeezed every bit of potential out of mine. He nailed the feel I was going for and delivered under a tight deadline. The process was a pleasure, very highly recommended!

Interview with Travis Raab

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

  2. A: Less is more. And sometimes more is more lol. If my client wants the absolutely craziest fastest shredding solo ever, that is what I will provide.

  3. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  4. A: I have a decade of touring and writing experience. I like to bring freshness and excitement to song, without overplaying. It helps when the songwriter or artist tells me their influences, so I can respect the philosophy of that sound. I play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, bass, percussion, and I mix and master. I offer top to bottom productions. So I offer a lot of versatility.

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

  6. A: They generally ask me about turn around time. Guitar tracks are generally take 24-48 hours. Productions can take longer. I offer rush options.

  7. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  8. A: I've been recording music since I was a teenager. It has always been my hobby and my passion. It's what I love to do in general. It happens to be my job. I'm lucky.

  9. Q: What's your typical work process?

  10. A: The first thing I do is listen to my client's song from beginning to end, without an instrument in my hand. This puts me in the listener's seat. When I comes time to actually lay down ideas, I always double check my client's references or notes. I always ask for directions in as detailed of a description is possible before I start work, so I can provide 'that sound' which my client is looking for. Don't forget BPM!

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

  12. A: It's important that any artist or songwriter works with a musician who understands them. The best musician in the world might not understand where my music is coming from, my influences, etc. Also it honestly doesn't matter how 'great' somebody plays. It's about serving the song. I've hired musicians for my own music before who played way too much, or just didn't play the right approach. Easier said that done.

  13. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  14. A: How do you want your music to sound? If they are unable to really describe it properly, I like to ask for references.

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

  16. A: I'd bring water. And a boat. And my electric mistress! That pedal is amazing, but it's rare that somebody besides me wants to hear that sound. LOL. I still love that pedal anyways.

  17. Q: How would you describe your style?

  18. A: I specialize in Pop, Indy and Acoustic-fingerpicking styles.

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

  20. A: The bulk of my work is either fully producing completed tracks for self-funded artists or playing acoustic guitar fingerpicking style on pop style tracks.

  21. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  22. A: Low cut filter. Often times there is a huge build up down in the low frequencies which can muddy a mix, reducing clarity and overall hurting the blend. If the track is acoustic-only instrumental with vocals, then the low frequencies are much more important and the recording approach should reflect that.

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

  24. A: Whatever we feel like that day! It really depends on the artist, as that is what I do for a living. Lately I've worked with a few clients from India, and I really love working on that stuff.

  25. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  26. A: Flexibility! I've been a working guitarist for over a decade and I've been in every scenario imaginable.

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

  28. A: The beatles! All day every day. Their songwriting and recording techniques continually inspire me.

  29. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  30. A: On a weekly basis I am producing or tracking for independent artists who live all over the the world. I do it all through the internet. I often play guitar for various producers for their library tracks or for their commercial work. My song "I Love You Baby Still" was placed in the film "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase" Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures.

  31. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  32. A: As much analog as possible before we go digital! Call me old fashioned. I use real gear. It's taken me years to find and collect it to get the best possible sounds.

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

  34. A: I wrote the song 'roll one up' for Yonas in my bedroom one morning. Eventually Sammy Adams and Roscoe Dash jumped on the track and it all came to life. I love how the song turned out!

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

  36. A: Yes! The psyclones!

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

  38. A: I put the same effort into every project whether it is a big budget production on a label or someone doing their first song.

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

  40. A: I've been on the road and in the studio for over a decade.

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

  42. A: Paul McCartney. Ringo. I love them!

  43. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  44. A: I have a full 3 room studio right in here in Los Angeles with the vintage outboard gear and modern top of the line recording hardware available at major commercial studios.

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Fast Turnaround.

GenresSounds Like
  • Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness
  • Katharine McPhee
  • The Chainsmokers
Gear Highlights
  • Vintage Gretsch
  • Fender
  • Gibson Guitars
  • Vintage Fender Blackface Amps
  • Vintage and Modern Neumann
  • Shure mics and Recording Hardware
  • beautiful sounding Live Room Recording Studio.
More Photos
More Samples
  • IcelandSep 25, 2020

    I'm in iceland for the next two weeks offering some clinics! Check my IG for an update on the next public workshops can check out!

  • Production, GuitarsSep 05, 2020

    Enjoyed doing another session this week for frequent soundbetter collaborator Reginald! 

  • Old Barn StudioAug 30, 2020

    Things are going great at the old barn studio. Putting together an amazing place. Incredible acoustics. Love working from here. Staying busy.

  • Barn Studio SessionsJul 20, 2020

    I've been tracking from east coast barn studio for the past couple of months for my fav SoundBetter clients. Gearing up to head back to LA for an important session. Stay tuned.

  • Warner Bros. "Nancy Drew" now on domestic flights and HBOJul 07, 2020

    The major motion picture, Warner Bros. "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase", featuring my song "I Love you Baby Still" is now on almost all domestic airlines and on channels include HBO and Disney. It's an honor to see my name in the credits on every airplane!

  • Warner Bros. "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase"Apr 03, 2019

    My original song "I love you Baby Still" is featured in the 2019 film and it's also on the soundtrack. It's in theaters now! Starring Sophia Lillis, produced by Ellen DeGeneres