Introduction ...
My love affair with sound began when I bought my first 4 channel mixer at age 14. I started making mix tapes for my friends - fading one song into another.
I attended my first sound engineering course at age 16. This was my first taste of a real studio, and I loved it! I did my first session as a drummer at age 16 as well.
I did work experience at 2GO Radio Station at age 17. I helped to record jingles, commercials and voice-overs.
I got my first 4-track cassette recorder when I was 19. I literally wore that machine out!
These days, I work primarily on Pro Tools. I also know Sonar, Logic and Nuendo etc
I've been working with sound professionally since 2005.
I attended my first sound engineering course at age 16. This was my first taste of a real studio, and I loved it! I did my first session as a drummer at age 16 as well.
I did work experience at 2GO Radio Station at age 17. I helped to record jingles, commercials and voice-overs.
I got my first 4-track cassette recorder when I was 19. I literally wore that machine out!
These days, I work primarily on Pro Tools. I also know Sonar, Logic and Nuendo etc
I've been working with sound professionally since 2005.
my services ...
I'm considered a 'one-stop-shop for songwriters' by many of my regular clients. I guess that's why they keep coming back to me!
If you require additional instrumentation, or simply don't have a band, I can play the following instruments for youDrums (acoustic or electric kit & percussion)BassGuitar (acoustic & electric)Piano & keyboards (MIDI if required)I can also do vocal harmonies if required* I also have access to many talented session musicians
I can edit your music to fix errors or change arrangements. Though I prefer that musicians and singers strive to get a better (in tune) performance and then present me with that. This approach will always yield better results.
Play in time, play (and sing) in tune and your songs will sound so much better - and you'll be happier :)
If you require additional instrumentation, or simply don't have a band, I can play the following instruments for youDrums (acoustic or electric kit & percussion)BassGuitar (acoustic & electric)Piano & keyboards (MIDI if required)I can also do vocal harmonies if required* I also have access to many talented session musicians
I can edit your music to fix errors or change arrangements. Though I prefer that musicians and singers strive to get a better (in tune) performance and then present me with that. This approach will always yield better results.
Play in time, play (and sing) in tune and your songs will sound so much better - and you'll be happier :)
who i've Worked with ...
I've worked as an engineer and sessions musician for almost 30 years.
During that time I've had the pleasure of sharing studio space with many talented people.
Here are some ...
AUSTRALIAPeter Dawkins ~ session drummerDavid Hemming ~ session drummerKevin 'Caveman' Shirley ~ session drummerTim Powel ~ session drummerAnton Hagop ~ session drummeriOTA ~ session drummer / toursMilk Crate Stories ~ engineer / producerWildervoice ~ engineer / producerDyan T and the Vibes ~ engineer / producerBrett Giffin ~ session musician / engineer / producerDeafboyone ~ session musician / engineer / producerMountain Devils ~ engineer / producerCage ~ engineer / session drummer / toursPlatinum Brunette ~ engineer / drummer / toursKing Oath ~ session drummerThe Overtones ~ session drummerEternity ~ session drummerJade ~ drummer / toursHeetsync ~ session drummer / toursThong ~ drummer / toursKit ~ session musician / engineer / producerAbstract Breed ~ session drummerYellow Rajé ~ Bassist / Lead singer / Engineer / toursDRBB (Dirty Rotten Blues Band) ~ Bassist / toursCourtney’s Mess ~ session drummerGlass Cannons ~ drummer / toursThunderjam ~ drummer / toursDemont ~ drummer / toursBrand ~ engineer / drummer / toursCrystal Clear Studios ~ session drummer
THAILANDTHomasso Studios ~ house engineer / music editor / session musicianDebra Jaye ~ session drummerNicola Lynn ~ session musician / engineer / producerTrevor Fisher ~ session musician / engineerDasha Luks ~ re-mix engineerPatrick Kennedy ~ session musician (drums and bass) / engineer / producerCallum James ~ session musician / engineer / producerPete Barry ~ session musician (drums and hammond) / engineer / producerDzaang ~ session drummerThe Indicators ~ session drummer / engineer / producerItchy Band ~ engineerNicky Scott ~ mastering engineerSharon Cooleman ~ engineerShyam Arora ~ engineer / session drummerBoy Blues ~ engineerFull Dome Co Ltd ~ voiceover engineerSpeak Factory ~ voiceover engineerRich Glauber ~ session musician / engineer / producerWarren Simpson ~ session musician / engineer / producerNeeta Maharaj ~ voiceover engineerIm Mathanee ~ voiceover engineerCaregiver Trainings ~ voiceover engineerSegue Riot ~ engineer / producer, write your own text and edit me.
During that time I've had the pleasure of sharing studio space with many talented people.
Here are some ...
AUSTRALIAPeter Dawkins ~ session drummerDavid Hemming ~ session drummerKevin 'Caveman' Shirley ~ session drummerTim Powel ~ session drummerAnton Hagop ~ session drummeriOTA ~ session drummer / toursMilk Crate Stories ~ engineer / producerWildervoice ~ engineer / producerDyan T and the Vibes ~ engineer / producerBrett Giffin ~ session musician / engineer / producerDeafboyone ~ session musician / engineer / producerMountain Devils ~ engineer / producerCage ~ engineer / session drummer / toursPlatinum Brunette ~ engineer / drummer / toursKing Oath ~ session drummerThe Overtones ~ session drummerEternity ~ session drummerJade ~ drummer / toursHeetsync ~ session drummer / toursThong ~ drummer / toursKit ~ session musician / engineer / producerAbstract Breed ~ session drummerYellow Rajé ~ Bassist / Lead singer / Engineer / toursDRBB (Dirty Rotten Blues Band) ~ Bassist / toursCourtney’s Mess ~ session drummerGlass Cannons ~ drummer / toursThunderjam ~ drummer / toursDemont ~ drummer / toursBrand ~ engineer / drummer / toursCrystal Clear Studios ~ session drummer
THAILANDTHomasso Studios ~ house engineer / music editor / session musicianDebra Jaye ~ session drummerNicola Lynn ~ session musician / engineer / producerTrevor Fisher ~ session musician / engineerDasha Luks ~ re-mix engineerPatrick Kennedy ~ session musician (drums and bass) / engineer / producerCallum James ~ session musician / engineer / producerPete Barry ~ session musician (drums and hammond) / engineer / producerDzaang ~ session drummerThe Indicators ~ session drummer / engineer / producerItchy Band ~ engineerNicky Scott ~ mastering engineerSharon Cooleman ~ engineerShyam Arora ~ engineer / session drummerBoy Blues ~ engineerFull Dome Co Ltd ~ voiceover engineerSpeak Factory ~ voiceover engineerRich Glauber ~ session musician / engineer / producerWarren Simpson ~ session musician / engineer / producerNeeta Maharaj ~ voiceover engineerIm Mathanee ~ voiceover engineerCaregiver Trainings ~ voiceover engineerSegue Riot ~ engineer / producer, write your own text and edit me.
How to send your files ...
Before sending your filesPlease make sure that all edits are done and that you are happy with the performance of each musician. If there is anything you want me to correct (timing, wrong chords, tune vocals etc) just let me know.Please make sure that you disable all software plugins (EQ, Compression, Reverb, Delay etc) unless you specifically want that sound in your final mix.Please consolidate all of your tracks from the very start of the song (0:00) to the end. This will ensure that all tracks are lined up and will be in sync with each other.Please do not change the gain of your tracks. Don't use any compression or limiters. Please never normalize your tracks.Please name each of your tracks clearly (bass drum, snare drum, bass, guitar, main vocal etc) so that I can easily identify the them.
Sending your filesYou may send your files using any preferred method. DropBox, Googledrive, Wetransfer etc. Please let me know your preference when you contact me. Use email rod@rodwillner.com.auPlease provide any clear instructions regarding your mix. I am also happy to converse back and forth during the mixing.Please feel free to include a reference to any songs that you like the sound of. It will help me to mix the song to your liking. Include a few of these if needed (band name and song titles are all I need).I will let you know once I've received your files, and will give you an estimated turn-around time for the mixes.
Sending your filesYou may send your files using any preferred method. DropBox, Googledrive, Wetransfer etc. Please let me know your preference when you contact me. Use email rod@rodwillner.com.auPlease provide any clear instructions regarding your mix. I am also happy to converse back and forth during the mixing.Please feel free to include a reference to any songs that you like the sound of. It will help me to mix the song to your liking. Include a few of these if needed (band name and song titles are all I need).I will let you know once I've received your files, and will give you an estimated turn-around time for the mixes.
my rates ...
How much? Good question!
No two projects are the same, and that is why price varies.
Please contact me and I'll happily provide a custom quote for whatever it is that you have in mind.
No two projects are the same, and that is why price varies.
Please contact me and I'll happily provide a custom quote for whatever it is that you have in mind.
interview ...
Transcript of a recent interview I did with SoundBetter.Q: Can you share one music production tip?A: Don't ever be afraid to try something new!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?A: I think that the most common one is that people think that they can give me bad sounds (or a bad vocal performance) assuming that I can just 'fix it' or 'make it sound good'. Obviously with todays technology this can be done, to a certain extent, but nothing beats a great song, performed well and sung beautifully - and in tune!
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?A: Don't pay any attention to what gear the provider has. Any experienced engineer will get good results no matter what he has at his disposal. Remember that some of the greatest sounding albums were recorded outside of conventional recording studios ... long before Pro Tools. What is going to matter most, is how well you work with that person, and how well they interpret and execute your instructions. That will get you results that you are not only happy with, but that you also felt you contributed too.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?A: Q: Can you tune my vocals? A: Yes, but can we try another take first?
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?A: I'd love to record Damien Rice. I love the rawness and honesty of his songs.
Q: What's your strongest skill?A: I am multifaceted. I have a broad skill set, both as an engineer and producer. I'm also a multi-instrumentalist, so I'm able to see what is needed, no matter what side of the studio glass I happen to be on! I'm never short of ideas.
Q: What's your typical work process?A: Every job for me is new and different, so I don't really have a fixed way of doing things.
Q: Analog or digital and why?A: I've been mixing ITB (in the box) in Pro Tools since 2006, and I love the ease of working with digital. Having said that, I'm a fan of both! I love analog sound, but love the ease of digital for editing and total recall of mixes when the client wants to change something the day after the mix was done (that never happens!) Also, the more time that passes, the closer these 2 formats seem to get to each other. Perhaps one day we will not be able to tell the difference!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?A: I always do the best possible work that I can. I never take shortcuts! I respect every client (and project) that I have ever done work for. In other words, I take my job seriously.
Q: What do you like most about your job?A: I like the fact that it is a multifaceted engagement that allows for both a creative and a technical use of the brain. This type of work can be emotive, whilst being simultaneously nerdy! As someone once said, "A great sound / song can make you cry".
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?A: I've been recording in one form or another for almost 30 years. I started out on tape, then moved to HD recorders, and then on to computers. Working with sound has occurred simultaneously whilst working as a musician. This has enabled me to feed my desire to work on both sides of the glass for many years. This cross section of skills has helped me immensely. And as a musician, it helps to understand recording techniques and vice-versa.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?A: I'm a sucker for guitar driven rock. I like music that moves air! That said, I can also enjoy simple melodies over a nice sounding acoustic guitar or piano. After all, a good song is a good song!
Q: What do you bring to a song?A: Fresh unbiased ears, objectivity and a bucket full of ideas and skills needed to execute them.
Q: How would you describe your style?A: I'm a natural problem solver. So if there is an issue with a mix or a session, I'll usually have several 'fixes' to suggest and implement, regardless of whether it is sound related or performance based.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.A: A whole pile of gear, all centred around a Pro Tools Rig. I've got new stuff, old stuff! I have no rules, what ever works for the song and the sound is the right thing to use at the time. The rule is - there are no rules!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?A: Regarding Engineers. Anyone that thinks outside the box, and I don't mean the computer. Sylvia Massey comes to mind. I love her quirky approach to recording and mixing. I like people that try new things, different things. These are the types of people that excite me. Regarding musicians. I'm inspired by many different players and many different instruments. I particularly like originality, and different (and new) approaches to old ways of doing things.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.A: The most common thing that I do is mix songs for clients. I also do a lot of post editing. I'm meticulous and fast. I also do session work for clients, predominantly drums, but I play other instruments as well.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?A: I think that the most common one is that people think that they can give me bad sounds (or a bad vocal performance) assuming that I can just 'fix it' or 'make it sound good'. Obviously with todays technology this can be done, to a certain extent, but nothing beats a great song, performed well and sung beautifully - and in tune!
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?A: Don't pay any attention to what gear the provider has. Any experienced engineer will get good results no matter what he has at his disposal. Remember that some of the greatest sounding albums were recorded outside of conventional recording studios ... long before Pro Tools. What is going to matter most, is how well you work with that person, and how well they interpret and execute your instructions. That will get you results that you are not only happy with, but that you also felt you contributed too.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?A: Q: Can you tune my vocals? A: Yes, but can we try another take first?
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?A: I'd love to record Damien Rice. I love the rawness and honesty of his songs.
Q: What's your strongest skill?A: I am multifaceted. I have a broad skill set, both as an engineer and producer. I'm also a multi-instrumentalist, so I'm able to see what is needed, no matter what side of the studio glass I happen to be on! I'm never short of ideas.
Q: What's your typical work process?A: Every job for me is new and different, so I don't really have a fixed way of doing things.
Q: Analog or digital and why?A: I've been mixing ITB (in the box) in Pro Tools since 2006, and I love the ease of working with digital. Having said that, I'm a fan of both! I love analog sound, but love the ease of digital for editing and total recall of mixes when the client wants to change something the day after the mix was done (that never happens!) Also, the more time that passes, the closer these 2 formats seem to get to each other. Perhaps one day we will not be able to tell the difference!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?A: I always do the best possible work that I can. I never take shortcuts! I respect every client (and project) that I have ever done work for. In other words, I take my job seriously.
Q: What do you like most about your job?A: I like the fact that it is a multifaceted engagement that allows for both a creative and a technical use of the brain. This type of work can be emotive, whilst being simultaneously nerdy! As someone once said, "A great sound / song can make you cry".
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?A: I've been recording in one form or another for almost 30 years. I started out on tape, then moved to HD recorders, and then on to computers. Working with sound has occurred simultaneously whilst working as a musician. This has enabled me to feed my desire to work on both sides of the glass for many years. This cross section of skills has helped me immensely. And as a musician, it helps to understand recording techniques and vice-versa.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?A: I'm a sucker for guitar driven rock. I like music that moves air! That said, I can also enjoy simple melodies over a nice sounding acoustic guitar or piano. After all, a good song is a good song!
Q: What do you bring to a song?A: Fresh unbiased ears, objectivity and a bucket full of ideas and skills needed to execute them.
Q: How would you describe your style?A: I'm a natural problem solver. So if there is an issue with a mix or a session, I'll usually have several 'fixes' to suggest and implement, regardless of whether it is sound related or performance based.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.A: A whole pile of gear, all centred around a Pro Tools Rig. I've got new stuff, old stuff! I have no rules, what ever works for the song and the sound is the right thing to use at the time. The rule is - there are no rules!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?A: Regarding Engineers. Anyone that thinks outside the box, and I don't mean the computer. Sylvia Massey comes to mind. I love her quirky approach to recording and mixing. I like people that try new things, different things. These are the types of people that excite me. Regarding musicians. I'm inspired by many different players and many different instruments. I particularly like originality, and different (and new) approaches to old ways of doing things.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.A: The most common thing that I do is mix songs for clients. I also do a lot of post editing. I'm meticulous and fast. I also do session work for clients, predominantly drums, but I play other instruments as well.
information ...
Sole Proprietor - Rod WillnerFirst Registered 1st July 2004ABN 78 368 979 718rod@rodwillner.com.au