I'm a session keyboardist from Chicago, with 10+ years of playing for artists and producers worldwide for independent and commercial projects. My focus is rendering a performance that evokes the feeling, emotion, and energy of your song by means of quality recordings. The goal is to intentionally deliver music that conveys the artist's message.
Hi, I'm Freddie Banks. I've been working as a musician professionally for 10 years both live and in the studio. My musical roots are in Gospel, but I'm also able to play Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Jazz, Rock, and Alternative, most of which has been accomplished here on SoundBetter. Here, I am able to record piano, keys and synths, as well as build out full arrangements & instrumentals for covers or original songs.
I use quality gear for my work, including Universal Audio Apollo Twin X preamps, along with quality samples and instruments from Nord, Roland, UVI, and lots more. Feel free to listen to all the demos and samples you see. My main DAW is Logic Pro, but I'm also able to work in Pro Tools.
When you're ready to work, be sure to include the following info:
1. Song Title
2. Key & Tempo
3. Style/Genre
4. References (what song you want it to sound similar to)
5. Deadline (proposal will be updated to include it)
6. Sheet Music or Chord Charts (if you have any)
The more direction provided the better! Let me know any specific directions you have as far as style, dynamics, riffs, etc. I want to bring your vision into reality!
My prices but may fluctuate depending on the complexity of the project, and number of parts needed to record.
Click the green connect button above to get started, Iβm excited to work with you!
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
138 Reviews - 19 Repeat Clients
Endorse Freddie Banks
check_circleVerifiedFreddie was professional, creative, prompt, a clear communicator and easy to work with! I had him lay some filler pad/synth tracks on a mostly-finished project and it definitely elevated the finished project. Very tasteful.
check_circleVerifiedSecond time working with Freddie, I'm very impressed with his range of talents production wise, and he can provide super organised sounds for your next project!
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Freddie did an EXCELLENT job and gave me exactly what I wanted. I love how I was able to give Freddie the vision for the project and he made it a reality in a very short time. I have used Freddie's services over and over again and he never disappoints.
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Freddie was awesome. Timely, efficient and his keys sound great!
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Freddie is extremely fast and efficient. He was able to get my idea right away and turn over a high quality piano for my song!!!
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Once again Freddie Banks came through. Thorough in communication and execution. He hears your song and takes it to a new level regardless of the genre. Musicianship and professionalism is top tier. Above and beyond. 5 stars is not enough to leave a review.
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Freddie did an outstanding job adding a professional piano part to my project. He was detail oriented and responsive to my specifications as well as polite and extremely easy to work with. In the future when I have another project Freddie will be my first choice. I highly recommend him.
check_circleVerifiedAmazing to work with! The best thing that stood out to me about Freddie was his ability to truly understand what was required. For my project I needed a piano piece and had sent him some very rough samples, from which he beautifully created exactly what I was looking for. A clear communicator and a super kind person to work with!
check_circleVerifiedGreat to work with, nailed the composition!
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It was great working with Freddie again. Quick reply to my inquiry, reasonable fee and executed perfectly with a fast turnaround!
check_circleVerifiedAnother fantastic job with Freddie. I love working with individuals who capture vision and deliver. You can't ask for anything better.
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Freddie did an amazing job. Turn around time was amazing and the quality was literally perfect. Freddie never disappoints!
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Always a pleasure working with Freddie. You can count on him to capture the vision and deliver the performance. He's so good, I'll be calling him back next week for another job!!
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Freddie perfectly created the vibe I was looking for. Always professional, versatile, quick turnaround. Excellent communication. I will be working with Freddie all the time. I can't recommend enough!
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No doubt I'm going to Freddie Banks for every project. Versatile, clean, professional. I made a few of suggestions as to what I wanted to hear thinking he would choose one, and run with it. He mixed them all in. No doubt in my mind he got chops for any genre. Your project will be uplifted immensely with Freddie Banks on it.
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Once again Freddie completed smashed the project. It came out amazing. He never misses. I highly recommend!
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Freedie always goes above and beyond with every project he does. I have done numerous projects with him and everytime we do a new one it blows my mind. If you want to get the job done right quickly, professionally, and efficiently Freddie is the guy for you. If you give him the vision for your project he will make it a reality for you!
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I highly recommend Freddie Banks. He listened carefully what I wanted and was able to bring some great ideas to the song. Along with his natural musical talent Freddie added both enthusiasm and careful attention to detail to ensure I was completely happy with the the song - which I was.
check_circleVerifiedOnce again Freddie was the missing piece I needed for this track. He recorded synth and strings and it was the glue I needed. He was very communicative and timely with the delivery. He will definitely be one of my go to people moving forward!
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Great communication and quick turn around!
Interview with Freddie Banks
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Completing instrumentals and multitracks to further show my abilities and strengths while also learning my novices and weaknesses. Also, I want to begin composing/licensing for multimedia in the near future
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To serve as a creative asset in efforts to provide quality, meaningful, and memorable sound as a staple in the identity and presentation of music & multimedia worldwide.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's your overall goal with this production? What are we aiming to invoke from the listener? How can I serve you in your efforts to achieve this goal?
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: It varies, gospel is my roots, but I'm also able to play pop, rock, r&b and jazz as well, and I'm an 'OK' sight-reader too so I'd like to think I'm pretty versatile. I refuse to box myself into one lane.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Keyboard chops, synthesis, sound design, and since I've started on SoundBetter, my ear for arranging has grown much stronger
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a simple home set up with my MacBook Pro running Pro Tools 2020, Logic Pro X, my Roland Fantom, Roland Gaia SH-01, Roland Cloud VST's, and dozens of virtual instruments in my arsenal. But my new pride and joy is my Nord Electro 6D. Most of my piano tracks are recorded with it now, and it's a huge improvement to my quality of work.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Jamel Kimbrough, Vaughan Phoenix, Jim Daneker, Ray Chew, Adam Blackstone, Daniel Weatherspoon, Robert "Sput" Searight, Aaron Lindsey, Chris Baker, Rodney East, Mike Patrick, James Poyser, Julian Pollack, Nicolas Semrad, Cory Henry, Shaun Martin, just to name a few.... π
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I was able to be apart of a recording project for my church in Chicago, where I played as one of the keyboardists and hammond organist. It was a memorable experience, being my first live recording. I'm believing it to be the first of may more to come
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Oh boy.... digital, because VST's have improved so greatly over the years, and it beats having to carry around heavy equipment and causing wear and tear on them, although they sound great in their on right. But at the same time, nothing beats the warmth of analog sound.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: A loaded question! But if I could bring Michael Jackson back to life, that'd be a dream come true. RIP King of Pop
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The fact that I can use my gifts and talents as a means to both serve someone on their project, as well as a means of provision for myself.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don't overlook those who don't have the experience or credentials as those at the top. We're all trying to work to get to the same level. Be willing to work with the underdogs.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: MacBook Pro, Roland A800 Controller, Roland JDXA, Sennheiser HD280 headphones, Large sausage pizza
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been working as a keyboardist since 16, and went to college to further my studies in music and audio production. the past 10 years has taught me quite a lot, and I'm grateful. It enables me to continue on and gain more traction in the music business.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Edgy yet calm, aggressive yet relaxed, versatile yet focused.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Name your tracks! Save your engineer the headache!
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Clarity by means of quality, well-thought, and precise music accompaniment, manifesting the goal and vision in the mind of the artist.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Generally, I'll hear the demo that's sent to me by the client to get an overall feel of what they're trying to accomplish. Next, I'll write out the chord progressions appropriate for the melody being sung, or what type of rhythm or syncopation comes to mind along with it. I'll then use various synth leads or pads to add more texture and feel to the song where necessary.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most of my work will consist of me accompanying the song by means of keyboards, piano and synths, all tailored to the feel of the song. I'm also able to assist in songwriting, and arranging as well.
I was the Keyboardist & Organist in this production
- Most High God (Gospel)
- Prayers from the Fallen (Rock)
- Christmas R&B
- Pop Piano Ballad
- PianoAverage price - $150 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $150 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $500 per song
- Full instrumental productionAverage price - $500 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $300 per song
- Turnaround within 72 hrs, rush service available
- 2 revisions allowed, then $50 per revision
- Transcriptions/Charts for additional fee
- Price may increase based on the job
- Nord Stage 3
- Roland Gaia SH-01
- Sibelius
- Pro Tools
- Logic Pro
- Apollo Twin X
- UAD plug-ins
- Slate Plugins
