Recording sessions

Bring your music to life

With remote recording sessions


Bonjour! At my studio here in France, I offer cost-effective, professional-quality recordings for songs, film and TV, video games and advertising — and it can all be done wherever you are in the world. Connect to the studio using the Muse Plugin, and direct the session as if we were in the same room!

David Chivers recording violin in his studio
Microphone setup in the studio
Violin and desk during a session

Live parts


Live parts can be used in your production in various ways.

Blend in a single recorded part to your orchestral mockups (violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello and bass for example). The listener will subconsciously latch on to the live part which creates the illusion of having recorded a full live orchestra, it’s quite amazing!

Blend in several layered parts to your orchestral mockup. I might record violin 1 six times, violin 2 six times etc. Since I will never play in exactly the same way for each take, when added up we get an instant real string section!

A solo instrument part that soars over the rest of the score. Classic. Real. Emotion.

My magic string quartet system. I play and record 3/4 of the quartet (Violin I, Violin II, viola), and then program in the cello part using VSTs and my midi skills. I do this all the time, it sounds terrific.

My instruments are violin and viola, so that’s what I record most. But I also regularly work with a bunch of incredible local players, including my friends from the Orchestre National de Bretagne.

I use high-end mics and preamps, and my studio is acoustically treated so you know you’re getting the best sound quality possible.

The difference

Why choose live players?


A human feel & real emotion

Breathe life into your music with nuanced dynamics, expressive phrasing, and heartfelt interpretation — creating a connection that samples and MIDI simply can’t replicate. Blend live recording into your mockups for a perfect balance of detail, expression and breadth.

Rich, organic sound

Experience the warmth of real instruments. My violin is made by an award-winning luthier in Vienna, Bärbel Bellinghausen — it sounds warm, sparkly and utterly fabulous. Every instrumentalist I work with adds depth, texture, and natural harmonic overtones to your tracks.

Unforgettable groove

Let your music flow. I bring interactive timing and rhythmic energy to elevate the groove and cohesion of your production.

Unique style and character

Every performance is one of a kind. With a personal touch and creative instincts, we deliver parts that stand out and make your music unforgettable.

Collaborative creativity

Transform your vision into reality. I can suggest fresh ideas, unique harmonies, or improvisational touches to enhance your compositions.

Remote convenience, studio quality

Ah, the beauty of technology. Wherever you are in the world, we can collaborate on your music as if we were together in the same room. I use a plugin called Muse, which lets you hear the sound from my DAW in real time over a video call, so we can tweak each take as we go.

The process

How it works


01

Share your project

Click below to answer a few short questions and upload your sound file. If you have a midi version of the instrument you want recorded, please provide two versions: one with the instrument and one without. You can also send me a DAW session with stems if you use Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools or Ableton.

02

Discuss the details

Reach out via email, phone, WhatsApp, or book a call through my calendar. We’ll review every aspect of your project, including creative needs and budget (especially for film, TV, or game recordings).

03

Plan the session

I’ll handle the logistics, including booking any additional players, and take care of optional extras like arranging, sheet music preparation, MIDI editing, or mockup refinements.

04

Assist or sit back

Want to be hands-on? I’ll send you a link to download the free Muse software so you can guide the session remotely, as if you were here in the studio with me. Prefer to relax? Let me take care of everything and I’ll make sure you have recorded stems as quickly as possible, sometimes just a few hours.

05

Review and revise

Once we’ve captured the perfect take, I’ll send you an MP3 preview for approval. After discussing any tweaks or revisions, and ensuring you’re 100% satisfied, I’ll clean and prep the stems to perfection — or leave them perfectly imperfect if that’s the vibe you’re after!

06

Final delivery

I’ll send an invoice with links to various payment options. As soon as payment is processed (usually within seconds), you’ll receive a high-speed download link to the edited stems in WAV or other uncompressed format, and all the raw session takes.

Direct the session as if we were in the same room.

Testimonials

I loved working with…


Amin Goudarzi

L’énigme Chaland, Je Veille sur Toi, Manifest des 343

“I had the pleasure of collaborating with David on recording sessions of instruments and the musical production of several films. David is a talented musician and an exceptional violinist with great artistic sensitivity, and I will continue my artistic collaborations with him.”

Ronan Maillard

Marguerite, Les Héritières

“First time working with David Chivers to record violin parts for one of my projects. I was won immediately over by his unwavering dedication to the project, resulting in a truly perfect final outcome, both in sound quality and in his interpretation of the music. David holds up to very high standards and has invaluable musical and technical skills for this type of session. An experience to repeat as soon as possible! Thank you again!”

Sylvain Hellio

Songwriter & composer for video games

“I did a remote session with David for some quartet parts. I was able to direct the session in excellent sound conditions, as if he were in the booth next door — it was truly amazing! David, in addition to being a remarkable violinist, is also a delightful person — very responsive and highly professional — who doesn’t hesitate to offer suggestions to enhance the final result. I really enjoyed working with him.”

Summer ’25

Album for Cézame Music

Last summer I had the pleasure of inviting my cellist friend Timothée to record a whole album of library tracks for German film composer Felix Halbe. The project also involved part preparation. The music is absolutely fantastic and we had a great time! The album ‘Moral Dilemma’ is now available on Cézame Music.

“It was a pleasure to work with David. He’s a great guy and a terrific musician. His contribution is a tremendous boost to my work. I look forward to further collaborations.”

Felix Halbe

Film and library music composer

About

Who am I?


My name is David Chivers, and I’m a composer, violinist and producer. My 30-year concert career has taken me all over the world, as a soloist, chamber musician, in orchestras and I also specialised in early music for 15 years. Five years ago I fell in love with sound engineering and studio production, took a bunch of courses, and started an indie pop band. I compose music for films and media, and work on my solo project using violin and electronics.

Pricing


Violin track

100€

  • Up to 5 mins of final music
  • Unlimited revisions
  • Fast turnaround
  • Remotely direct your session
  • Edited stems
  • High quality WAV delivery
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed

Magic quartet

250€

  • Up to 5 mins of final music
  • Unlimited revisions
  • Fast turnaround
  • Remotely direct your session
  • Edited stems
  • High quality WAV delivery
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed

Film / TV / games

Per project

This type of project usually involves a production company and there are many variables. Get in touch so we can talk over the details of your budget.

  • Unlimited revisions
  • Fast turnaround
  • Remotely direct your session
  • Edited stems
  • High quality WAV delivery
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed

FAQ


I work on a wide variety of projects, including songs, film and TV scores, video game soundtracks, and advertising music. Whether you need a solo violin, a layered string section, or other instruments, I can help bring your vision to life.

Yes — while violin and viola are my main instruments, I regularly collaborate with talented musicians from my network, including friends at the Orchestre National de Bretagne, with whom I’ve worked as a violinist for almost 20 years.

I’m a classically trained violinist, so anything vaguely notated is in my field — film/TV, games, ads, pop, rock, experimental, anything. I don’t specialise in genres like jazz, blues or traditional music that take years of specific training, though I love to improvise in my own way. It depends how “authentic” you want the performance to be — I once improvised a mock Irish lament for a film score because that’s what the director wanted, and another time worked on an album with musicians from Nigeria, who loved it. As a producer I’ve worked across styles from classical to rap, children’s music, and radio/ad jingles.

I can write something for you. If you don’t know how to notate music, send me your demo and some reference tracks — even just track names or links to a streaming service or YouTube video work. Or hum whatever’s in your head on a call, or even during the session itself. Writing parts comes at an extra charge — get in touch for details.

I offer transcription of your MIDI into readable sheet music for an extra charge. Send me your consolidated DAW file or MIDI files and I’ll transcribe them into Dorico, adjust timing, fix notation errors, and add dynamics. Delivery includes the parts in PDF and Dorico formats, alongside your recordings.

It’s your call. You can join live via Muse — you’ll hear the audio from my DAW in real time, and we’ll see and talk to each other as if we were in the same room. Or if you’re too busy, let me handle everything and I’ll get your project recorded in no time.

It depends on the specifics. If you just need violin and/or viola, we can often get it done in a few hours. Extra players or tasks like arranging or part preparation naturally take longer, but I’ll always do my best — if your project is urgent, just get in touch.

Once the session is complete, I’ll send a preview MP3. We can discuss adjustments and I’ll make changes to match your vision — as many times as needed. If after around 10 revisions we’re still not aligned, we’re probably not the right artistic fit, and in that case you won’t pay anything. This situation hasn’t come up yet, and I hope it won’t.

My main mics are a Soyuz 013 FET stereo pair, handmade in Russia and slightly wider than most small-capsule mics — beautiful on string instruments, warm tone with real definition. I also use a Rode K2 tube mic for certain applications, run through a Cranbourne Audio Camden preamp and an Audient Evo 16 interface. My acoustically treated studio ensures a clean signal and easy mixing down the line.

Fill out a short form with your project details and upload a demo if you have one. We’ll connect to discuss creative direction, logistics and budget, and I’ll handle the session and send you a preview for approval.

I’ll use the best takes to comp together an edit, apply light surgical EQ where needed, and deliver the final edited stems in high-resolution format — usually WAV, though I can send another format on request — along with all the raw session takes.

Pay 50% on ordering and 50% once you’re completely satisfied with the final result. If you’re not happy with the recordings, I’ll refund your down payment, no questions asked. Payment options include direct bank transfer, PayPal or Stripe, via an invoice from Aéronèf Productions.