Tiko Lasola
tikolasola.com
www.instagram.com/pianodiary/
Could you describe what you do as a musician in plain words that are understandable to a non-musician?
I compose soundtracks for films, produce music in several genres and also do work as a session musician: record piano and keyboard for other people’s tracks.
When and how did you decide to become a professional musician? Did you understand what you signed up for back then? Did it turn out the way you had imagined?
I quit my day job to pursue music professionally in 2014. I kinda understood that it’d be a really hard path but at the same time. I wouldn’t say it’s turned out exactly how I imagined, but I’m really happy, content and grateful about where things are.
Do you still listen to music for leisure these days?
Yes, my passion for music came from listening and I still do it daily. Maybe not as much as I used to as a result of less free time on my hands, but still.
What are some works of music that are in your personal sacred shrine?
- Fear Of A Blank Planet by Porcupine Tree
- Dream Theater’s discography between 1999-2007
- The Whirlwind by Transatlantic
- Get Lucky by Mark Knopfler
- World Of Sleepers and Interloper by Carbon Based Lifeforms
What are some recordings that you were inspired by, and why?
Well all of the above and then some. Tons of film scores as well, like Howard Shore’s work on the LOTR trilogy. I really fell in love with how an orchestra can sound larger-than-life through watching films.
How important is the presentation of sound to you in a recording? Do you believe a recording can be either “musical” or “sterile”?
Very important. Perhaps more important than it should be haha. I absolutely believe a recording can sound sterile, which is one of the reasons I run my ITB music through analog outboard gear.
How does audio playback gear, especially headphones, influence the way you perceive recordings, and music in general? Does it inform your own performance? Have Hifiman headphones brought any revelations to your creative work?
Headphones have always been my main format for listening to music. From cheap earbuds when I was a teen to Beyerdynamic DT770’s in my early ears. I had headphones on for hours and hours every single day.
I’ve always loved the way headphones pull me in and have that mesmerizing immersion. Hifimans took that to the next level. I’ve never experienced headphones like the HE1000se’s that have been my go-to for a couple of years now. I fell in love with listening to music again with them and found myself revisiting my favorite records. Taking the time to close my eyes and just listen and get lost in the music. I feel like I hadn’t done that in years before I unboxed my Hifimans and started listening. The detail, separation, soundstage and low end extension is out of this world. I’m not one to describe a listening experience with technical terms so I’ll say they’re beyond magical.
The HE1000se’s have definitely transformed my own work as well. On bigger projects my workflow is a bit of a hybrid, I write and shape the sound and mix at the same time as I go. The Hifimans make it effortless, as I do a lot of my work on them in the evenings and at night while the rest of the family is asleep. Especially the low end extension has been incredible, in my film score work there’s sometimes beefy and challenging elements, but working on the Hifimans they find their shape and place without effort.
What was your proudest work or moment you could share with us? Proudest recording?
I’ll have to give a really boring answer as I believe I’m still working on that. More to follow soon!
Do you have any upcoming performances or albums you’d like to share with us and our audience?
I’ll have to update you a bit later once some of my recent scores have been released and once some of my personal music is finished. 2026 is looking like it’s going to be a good year.
Could you describe what you do as an audio engineer in words that are understandable to an audiophile?
Record, mix and master.
Were you an audiophile before you became an audio professional? What led to this career choice?
I wasn’t. I fell in love with listening to music but the gear was always secondary. When listening wasn’t enough anymore, I had to get more so I started learning how to play instruments and how to make my own music. Naturally making my own music requires being able to record, mix and master it, so I’ve been working on those skills for as long as I’ve been playing and creating music.
Do you still enjoy listening to music for leisure these days?
Yes, getting my HE1000se’s has rekindled that passion and I find myself doing it a lot more now compared to the years before getting the Hifimans.
What are some of your favorite works that inspired you when you were an aspiring audio engineer?
- Daft Punk – RAM
- Steven Wilson – Hand Cannot Erase
- Mark Knopfler – Get Lucky
- Dream Theater – Train Of Thought
And pretty much every Hans Zimmer score since the 00’s.
What are some of your own works that you’re most proud of?
Still working on those...
All audio professionals use headphones at one point or another in their workflow. How do you use headphones?
I use them in all stages of production. I work a lot when I can’t make a lot of noise so I do a ton on headphones.
Has Hifiman headphones informed your production decisions or the way you listen/mix/master?
Absolutely. I feel like they’ve improved both my mixes and the time it takes to finish a mix. No second guessing as everything is represented so well.
What are some of the exciting upcoming works you would like to share with us?
Again a boring answer: I’ll update you on that in a bit!
