Emotionally honest records for artists who care deeply about their music.
Black Forest Sounds is a vocalist-first production and mixing studio built around collaboration, trust, and emotional connection. I help artists bridge the gap between what they hear in their head and what actually comes out of the speakers without losing what makes their music uniquely theirs in the process.
You might be in the right place if…
• You know what your music should feel like, but struggle to fully translate it into a finished record
• You care deeply about your songs and don’t want them to sound generic or templated
• You’ve tried working alone or with others and still feel like something isn’t clicking
• You’re overwhelmed by options, plugins, and opinions — and just want clarity and direction
• You want a collaborator who treats your music like it actually matters
If that sounds like you, you’re not behind — you’re just ready for a different kind of creative process.
“Good creative work requires collaboration and trust, and when every decision becomes second-guessed or constantly reversed, the process can lose momentum very quickly.”
About Black Forest Sounds
I’m Ben Schwarzwalder — a producer, mix engineer, and lifelong vocalist.
Before I ever worked professionally in music, I spent over 20 years as a singer, studying voice, performing, and fronting a touring rock band. That experience shaped how I hear music more than anything else.
But I didn’t come into production directly from that world.
I spent years building a career outside of music at a senior level in the tech industry. It gave me a different kind of perspective, discipline, decision-making, and a long-term understanding of what it means to commit fully to something.
Eventually, I reached a point where I knew I didn’t want music to be something I did on the side anymore. I made the decision to go all-in on building Black Forest Sounds around the thing I cared about most: helping artists create records that actually feel like them.
That combination of vocalist, producer, and someone who intentionally chose this path is what shapes how I work today.
I don’t just hear records as an engineer. I hear them as a vocalist first.
That means I care just as much about:
• emotional delivery
• performance nuance
• and identity
as I do about technical execution.
Because in the end, a technically perfect record doesn’t mean much if it doesn’t connect.
Black Forest Sounds is based in Cary, North Carolina.
Great records don’t come from overthinking. they come from clarity, trust, and shared intent.
my DNA
At Black Forest Sounds, I build records around one core belief: the voice is the identity of the song.
I’m a vocalist first, so I approach every project from the perspective of how a record feels, not just how it functions technically.
The goal is never just a polished mix, it’s a record that feels honest, intentional, and fully aligned with the artist behind it.
I see the studio as a collaborative space, not a hierarchy. When I’m working with an artist, I’m fully invested in the outcome, and the process is built on trust, communication, and shared direction.
What’s it like to work with me?
A typical session feels like:
• Talking through the emotional direction of the song first, not jumping into tools
• Making creative decisions quickly, based on what actually serves the record
• Refining performances and sounds until the emotion feels right, not just “clean”
• Removing anything that gets in the way of the vocal or the song’s identity
• Building momentum instead of getting stuck in endless revision loops
The process is focused, collaborative, and intentional. Always moving toward clarity.
“I want artists to feel supported, understood, and respected throughout the creative process rather than feeling like just another client.”
What I help artists do
Every project is different, but the goal is always the same - to support the song in a way that brings out its emotional identity and makes the final record feel complete, intentional, and fully realized.
I work with artists across a few different areas, depending on what the record needs:
Full Record Development
Everything that builds your song
For artists who are starting with an idea, a demo, or a rough song and need help turning it into a fully realized, emotionally complete record.
This can include songwriting support, arrangement, production, and vocal development depending on what the song needs.
Whether you’re recording in your own space or working in the studio, the goal is the same: build a record that feels intentional, expressive, and true to your voice.
Mixing & Mastering
Everything that finishes the record.
For artists who already have a record but feel like something isn’t fully landing yet.
The focus here is clarity, balance, and emotional impact — making sure the vocal leads properly and every element supports the identity of the song without getting in the way.
Creative Partnership
Everything artists need beyond the track.
For artists who want a long-term collaborator, someone who understands their sound, their direction, and helps guide decisions across multiple releases.
This is less about a single service and more about building consistency, trust, and a clear sonic identity over time.
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Interested in working together?
Share a bit about your project, and I’ll get back to you soon with next steps. Whether you need full production, a mix, songwriting help, or just want a quote — I’d love to hear what you’re creating and meet you wherever you are in the process.