Javier Zacharias

Composer, Producer, Arranger

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3 Reviews
Javier Zacharias on SoundBetter

Award-winning Film and TV composer ready to collaborate on your songs and film scores. Graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors from Berklee College of Music, recipient of the BMI Film Scoring award, premio Nuevas Miradas en la TV, and numerous other awards and nominations. Performed as a saxophone and piano player with many of Argentina's top bands.

Song Production/Arranging:
Some people need help in a very specific part of the record-making process: tracking instruments, improving a mix, tuning vocals or general sweetening. Other's want to start closer to the beginning of the process and work on form, harmony, instrumentation and arrangements. I'm happy to step in at any point of the process and collaborate with you, regardless if we're editing an existing recording, starting a new one, making lead sheets, profesional scores or whatever will help.

Composition:
I can write music set to picture, a main theme, underscore, songs (in english and spanish!) or music for your podcast!

Editing/Tuning: I can edit tracks to make them sound cleaner and tighter together, improving rhythm, time feel and groove. I can tune vocal tracks using Melodyne or Auto-Tune to get natural sounding fine-tuned vocals.

Woodwind and Brass: I can record alto and tenor saxophone parts and improvised solos myself or hire A-list musicians to record other woodwinds and brass in our studio with amazing acoustics and state of the art equipment.

Sweetening: I can add small musical elements to elevate your song using real instruments and/or samples.

Mixing/Mastering: I can provide a final stereo mix using outboard gear as well as a vast array of plugins.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

3 Reviews

Endorse Javier Zacharias
  1. Review by lucas gordon
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    by lucas gordon

    It’s key to find a producer that will listen and try and grasp the essence of what it is you want to transmit in your music. Javier’s ear for detail and deep understanding in structure and instrumentation has taken the songs I brought him to another level. He was relentless in finding the right sound for me.Javier’s professionalism was directly imprinted in the 12 track record he produced for me.

  2. Review by John Lees
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    by John Lees

    We worked at Javier's studio producing and recording an original rock song in person. Working with him was a great experience, his knowledge of song-composition and arrangements really helped the song reach a new level. The work was done very professionally and he was committed and passionate about helping us get the sound we wanted. Definitely recommended.

  3. Review by Justo P.
    starstarstarstarstar

    Great service

Interview with Javier Zacharias

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

  2. A: People either know me as a composer, producer or sax player. People who met me as a session sax player have a hard time imagining me as a producer, and vice-versa.

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

  4. A: 1) Laptop 2) USB mic 3) Headphones 4) Keyboard 5) A guitar

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

  6. A: Have great players at hand (or become a great player yourself)! Music is made by people! Also: focus a lot of attention on time/rhythm/groove.

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

  8. A: Film/TV music, indie, rock and pop.

  9. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  10. A: Making music sound fresh and emotional while at the same time being very detailed and thorough.

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

  12. A: I bring my passion and knowledge of music, from jazz to rock to contemporary classical, combined with a deep knowledge of the musical tools used in production. I am a musician above all, and always keep the music in the forefront. Having said that: I also love sound, and I understand that a great recording is not the same as a great performance: recorded music is an art-form in itself and I treat it as such.

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

  14. A: I try to spend a good amount of time planning and getting organised to work. This includes talking to clients and thoroughly understanding what the goals are, understanding what musical and technical elements will be needed, preparing and organising sessions inside the DAW and looking for and listening to references if needed. Once all the prep is done it's easy to navigate through the work and it's much more enjoyable and focused.

  15. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  16. A: I work in Digital Performer or Pro Tools, depending on the project. My monitors are Adam A7X in both studio A and B. Studio A has an Apollo 16 interface, Studio B has a MOTU interface. Some of out outboard gear includes: LA2A, Manley Force, Avalon AD2022, Distressor, Pultec. Some mics include: U87, SM7, AKG 414.

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

  18. A: Thomas Newman, Hans Zimmer, Alan Silvestri, John Williams, Manny Marroquin, Alex Lacamoire, Keith Jarrett, Thom Yorke, Quincy Jones, Phil Spector, Louis Cole, Jacob Collier, Sting, John Mayer, Aaron Copland, Debussy, Shostakovich, Beethoven, Bach and thousands more...

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

  20. A: Most of my time is divided between composing music for TV and producing artists. I also edit and tune all the music that I produce, and I mix and master most of it, so I have ample experience in those fields. My main instrument is the saxophone and I tour and so session work as an alto and tenor player.

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Reel showing various works

I was the producer/arranger on all fragments and composer in all except 1 and 4 in this production

Terms Of Service

I allow 3 revisions (most clients use 1)
Turn-around times:
Film music cue: 2 days
Arrangements: 2 days
Vocal Tuning/Comp: 24hs
Sax Track: 24hs
Mix: 2 days

GenresSounds Like
  • Bon Iver
  • John Mayer
  • Thomas Newman
Gear Highlights
  • LA2A
  • Pultec
  • Manley Force
  • Avalon AD2022
  • Empirical Labs Distressor EL8
  • Neumann u87
  • AKG 414
  • KM 184
More Photos
SoundBetter Deal

In some occasions I can adjust my fees to smaller budgets whenever time and scheduling allows for it.