Location: Kingston, London, UK
Member since: December 14, 2010
Tracks in portfolio: 11 (click here to hear all tracks)
Tracks We Like:
The Interview
1. High profile projects or clients you have worked for?
At the moment I am working with a film student at the New York Film Academy in Hollywood, on a soundtrack for a Science Fiction film, which will be entered into film festivals.
2. Primary instrument?
Probably my Keyboard, as I use it to compose with and play all the sound libraries on my Mac.
3. Favorite music-making piece of gear or software you currently use?
I would probably say my Apple Mac-Pro, as it handles with ease the mass array of sound libraries and virtual instruments I use, all at once, and without it, I probably would be lost. Software wise, probably Synthogy Ivory, as I don’t own a real piano, Ivory is second best.
4. Piece of gear or software you wish you owned?
The Vienna Symphonic Cube, as its every MIDI orchestrators dream orchestral sample library. But as it costs the same amount as a small Japanese hatchback, it is a little out of reach for most of us.
Either that or a real Piano, preferably a Yamaha C7 grand piano.
5. Film score or song you admire? Why?
Don Davis’ fantastic score for The Matrix, it is an orchestral marvel that complements the film perfectly and is a milestone in modern film music, all my opinion of course. I some times listen to it just for the orchestration, as Don Davis is a master orchestrator and the score is a good model for aspiring film composers.
6. Music education background?
Learned Guitar, Piano and Drums from a young age, did GCSE Music, along with A Level Music and Music Technology. Then went on to do a BSc Hons degree in Music Composition and Technology and currently doing an MMus in Composing for Film and Television.
7. Memorable “Aha!” moment during your musical education?
Realising I wanted to be a film composer. I was just sitting down, thinking about the future when I thought to my self. ‘Chris, you like films, and you write music, why not be a film composer?’ Aha indeed.
8. Most embarrassing music-related moment?
Playing guitar in a band at a school concert, and not knowing I was playing the wrong song till half way through and after several angry glances from the band members.
9. If you had a time machine and could record or perform once with any artist, who would it be?
I would go back to when Beethoven could still hear, armed with a MIDI keyboard, a Mac and as many sample libraries and synths as I could store and just record what he played.
10. Moment you first knew you would be a musician?
When I was given my first musical instrument, a nylon string Spanish guitar at age 8. Ever since then I was fascinated with music.
11. Advice you would give to a younger family member interested in a music career?
Learn as many instruments as you possibly can, practice writing music as often as you can and most importantly, work hard and practice.
12. Five songs or albums you’d take with you to a desert island?
1. Toto – Africa
2. Nik Kershaw – The Riddle
3. Steve Reich – Electric Counterpoint
4. The Stranglers – Golden Brown
5. Daft Punk – Digital Love
13. If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
The Cello, I have always loved the sound of it, and I often compose for a string orchestra and cannot play any orchestral string instruments.
14. Favourite time of day to work in your studio?
Normally after breakfast, or after 12, which ever comes sooner.
Big thanks to Christopher for contributing tracks that help make MusicRevolution the Production Music Marketplace.
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Mike Bielenberg is a professional musician and co-founder of http://www.musicrevolution.com, a production music marketplace where media producers and business owners can license high-quality, affordable music from a online community of musicians.
