Sam Gutman is more than just a New Jersey-based keyboardist. Gutman’s prowess reaches far beyond traditional soundboards, currently electrifying stages for the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill and the Fugees.
In the latest ROLI Meets feature, the spotlight shines on Sam Gutman’s exceptional journey. Initially recognized for his YouTube videos exploring the Seaboard’s potential, ROLI invited Gutman to London for a closer look at his genius ahead of Reggae Rotterdam. Here, he revealed his innovative approach to integrating RISE 2’s sound design into the signature sounds of one of hip-hop’s most renowned collectives.
Drawing inspiration from his early guitar-playing days, Gutman’s musical versatility spans from prog and jazz to metal and pop punk. Now an essential figure in the ‘Lauryn Hill Orchestra’, his dedication to the group’s evolving auditory aesthetics sees him globetrotting with his trusted Seaboard.
However, beyond the glamor of massive concerts and flashing lights, Gutman remains true to his essence as an artist. Whether through pre-show improvisation or exploring Seaboard’s vast sonic potential, he embodies a constantly evolving musician with a profound love for sound.
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Journeying from Strings to Synths
Gutman’s transition from guitar virtuoso to keyboard maestro was an unexpected twist during his time at the Berkeley College of Music. It opened doors to the intricate world of sound design and synthesis.
His affiliation with ROLI’s Seaboard began out of a need for more expressive tools. In his perspective, the Seaboard bridges the gap between digital and acoustic, transforming the traditional keyboard into an instrument akin to its fretless counterparts. This unique approach allows Gutman to create atmospheric sounds dynamically, taking his performances to new heights.
Collaborating with Ms. Lauryn Hill
Gutman’s association with the legendary Lauryn Hill blossomed during quarantine. His ambient synth live streams caught the attention of the iconic singer, leading him to join her ensemble. This partnership brought challenges – from instant sound designing to replicating unique tones on the spot. During these moments, RISE 2’s distinctiveness shone, becoming a crucial part of Gutman’s equipment.
Seaboard RISE 2: A Revolution in Sound Design
Beyond producing versatile sounds, Seaboard RISE 2 offers unparalleled ease of play. Its MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) feature facilitates musicians to focus on their performance rather than constantly tweaking settings. Gutman lauds this as the perfect union of sound design and playability.
Gutman’s peers have been captivated by the Seaboard RISE 2’s innovative design and capabilities. Its compact structure ensures easy travel, while its robust build guarantees durability.
Innovating Musical Narratives
Sam Gutman’s journey encapsulates how modern instruments can reinvent traditional music approaches. His advice to budding Seaboard users is clear: Embrace the visceral connection akin to playing a strung or wind instrument.
For all music enthusiasts, the Seaboard RISE 2 promises to be more than a mere instrument – it’s a companion in pursuing artistic excellence.
Dive into the world of RISE 2, and let your sonic imagination take flight.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
