If we rewind to the very beginning, what got you into music in the first place?
I casually saw a classical guitar in my house when i was like 12 years old and I started to play it randomly. After som time, I discovered bands like Kiss, Bon Jovi, Europe (my favorite rock band ever) etc…and then after receiving my first electric guitar at the age of 14 I decided to go all-in at studying the instrument!

Was playing guitar always your first and only choice or did it start with something else?
Yes it was! I played violin a bit, but i didn’t find a true passion at that time like with the guitar.

You’ve been part of the JTC team for a long time now. Part from indirectly teaching via JTC, you’re also teaching one-on-one. What’s your number one advice to someone who wants to become a better player?
Consistence, patience and believe that you will be able to play the way you want. But do NOT focus on noticing it, do not monitor your progress daily, just go on and enjoy the journey. Be sure to know the player you want to become, visualize it and work on that. It’s really important to study knowing which goals are.

You’re also a member of symphonic power metal band Ancient Bards, you’re composing for a wide range of things and so much more. Out of everything you do – writing, recording, teaching, touring, traveling (the list goes on)…what is your favorite part?
From when I was a child, I’ve always loved compose music. I’m spending many, many hours everyday working on composing/producing music, teaching and studying and I’m really loving it!

What does your personal writing spot or home studio look like in terms of gear?
Talking about guitars, I have two signature ones from Negrini Guitars (amazing luthier from Switzerland). I’m using Elixir Strings Optiweb (09-46 mainly) and Lab Audio Technology cables. My audio interface is an RME Fireface UCX. I record sounds for sound design through a set of three mics from Rode which are NTG4+ and a pair of NT5s. I generally mix through Audeze LCD-X headphones plus Acustica Audio Sienna Reference to calibrate them.

You are an avid Superior Drummer 3 user. How do you use the program in your work and how does it help your creative process?
I love it! Being a nerd, I like to choose sound by sound to create the kit I want and spend lot of time on that. And the possibility to dive fully into the mixing process all inside its interface, it’s amazing. When programming MIDI and composing, I generally tend to mix sound by sound while creating and that helps a lot, also with the chance to save your kit with layerings and mixing applied for the next time.

If you weren’t a musician, what do you think you’d do for a career? 
No idea! But, seeing what I’m loving these days, a software programmer maybe?

What’s next on your agenda?
Composing as many albums I can, working on my next releases for JTC, teaching, studying, studying and studying!

SUPERIOR DRUMMER DEMO BY CLAUDIO.
Check out this custom-written track featuring a kit created using the Superior Drummer 3 core library as well as the Rock Solid EZX.