Reev Robledo

Reev Robledo is a producer, composer and songwriter based in Manila. Reev’s ambitions are to produce music for TV and jingles and so far he’s already been pretty successful…

ARTIST INTERVIEW

: How long have you been making music? “Three decades. I wrote my first song when I was 14 and my first professional score at 22 which was an animated short. I grew up learning classical piano, but progressed to playing by ear. My childhood crush loved this song which I couldn’t play because there was no music sheet, so I forced myself to learn by listening – talk about motivation! I’ve now been writing songs, scores, jingles, and some sound design since high school (three decades ago). Most of my work is for TV and advertising. Currently, I run a studio called Ryker Creative Co.” : Describe the kind of music you produce?

“When writing scores, it’s usually orchestral fused with electronic. My songwriting, on the other hand, is quite radio pop or Broadway-ish. However, I do a lot of work for television and creative agencies, so the music I write varies. Sometimes, I get to integrate sound design with the music I create. There are projects where I get hired just to do sound editing or mixing.” : What are your musical influences?

“For songwriting, they are Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Diane Warren, David Foster and Gary Valenciano. When it comes to composing scores: John Williams, Thomas Newman, Danny Elfman, and Thomas Bergersen.” : What is in your studio?

“My main DAW is Cakewalk which I’ve been using since it could handle audio back in ‘93. Since 2001 I’ve also used Acid for mashing up loops and quick song ideas; Sound Forge and Vegas Pro for sound editing and layout (especially when it requires syncing to video). I swear by the EastWest orchestral libraries, Rapture Pro, and several Kontakt instruments. My go-to plugins are Waves, MeldaProduction, and a ton of free ones. Now, everything is done in-the-box; the only gear I’ve kept is my trusty Korg Trinity, a gift from my mother. I still use it as a controller, aside from an 88-key Yamaha P-45. Also, studio staples are Rode, Audio-Technica, AKG mics and headphones.”

: What ambitions do you have?

“To be able to keep doing it professionally, and to one day hear my music played by a live and full orchestra.”