WAIN Shapes the Sonic Identity Behind Rick Jansen’s Viral Hit “Rise”

Nearly 1 million Spotify streams and counting, Rick Jansen’s single “Rise” is taking the pop world by storm. While Jansen’s soaring vocals and Daniel Sarver’s songwriting laid the foundation, the track’s cinematic and emotionally charged sound is the result of WAIN’s expert production and mixing. As the producer, mix engineer, and sonic architect, WAIN transformed the song into a polished anthem that resonates with audiences worldwide.

“The goal with ‘Rise’ was to create something that feels huge from the very first second,” WAIN says. “Seeing it approach 1 million streams proves the production connected with people exactly as we intended.”

Producer WAIN’s Critical Role in Creating the Sonic Identity of “Rise”

From the beginning, WAIN approached “Rise” with a clear vision: to elevate the song into a cinematic, larger than life pop experience. The track explores themes of overcoming struggle, and WAIN mirrored this emotional arc in his production. He guided the song from initial arrangement through to final mix, ensuring that every sonic element reflected the intended emotional journey. The track starts with intimate instrumentation and gradually builds into a triumphant wall of sound, creating a full listening experience shaped by WAIN’s leadership.

Artistic Vision and Leadership Behind the Production of a Viral Pop Release

WAIN’s creative direction was instrumental in shaping the song’s emotional impact and overall commercial appeal. He made all major decisions regarding instrumentation, arrangement, and texture. Collaborating with a high profile artist like Rick Jansen, who has over 1 million monthly listeners, required a production standard that could compete internationally. WAIN’s artistic leadership ensured that the track’s sonic identity was original, cohesive, and compelling.

Original Sound Design and Arrangement Driving the Track’s Emotional Impact

WAIN’s signature style blends organic warmth with modern pop polish. For “Rise”, he meticulously layered acoustic guitars, live percussion, piano, and contemporary synth textures. Each layer serves a purpose. Acoustic elements maintain an emotional core, while electronic textures provide energy, scale, and excitement. WAIN’s arrangement decisions result in a track that feels both intimate and expansive, capturing the listener’s attention immediately and establishing the track’s unique identity.

Mix Engineering Decisions That Defined the Commercial Quality of the Record

Balancing dense instrumentation while keeping Rick Jansen’s vocals front and center was one of the most important challenges in producing “Rise.” WAIN approached the mix with a meticulous ear, carefully shaping each layer of acoustic and electronic elements to ensure the track retained both emotional depth and clarity. By strategically placing instruments in the stereo field and using subtle dynamic processing, he created space for Jansen’s performance to remain the focal point while the arrangement maintained its energy and complexity.

In addition, WAIN’s choices in EQ, compression, and effects were designed to enhance the song’s commercial readiness. He ensured the track translated well across multiple playback systems, from headphones to stadium speakers, while keeping it radio ready and playlist friendly. These technical decisions, combined with his artistic judgment, made “Rise” both emotionally compelling and commercially competitive on a global scale, demonstrating WAIN’s expertise as a producer and mix engineer capable of defining the sonic character of a hit record.

Creative Authority and Technical Expertise as Producer and Sonic Architect

Every sonic choice from instrumentation to texture to mix balance was carefully directed by WAIN, establishing him as the primary creative force behind “Rise.” He made all key decisions regarding the arrangement, layering, and tonal character of the track, ensuring that every element served the song’s emotional arc. By controlling both the technical and artistic aspects of production, WAIN shaped the song into a cohesive and compelling musical experience that would resonate with listeners worldwide.

Beyond technical skill, WAIN’s leadership was essential in translating Rick Jansen’s strong vocal performance into a fully realized pop anthem. His ability to combine creative vision with meticulous execution ensured that the track maintained emotional depth while achieving a polished, professional sound. Without WAIN’s direction, the song would not have achieved its current level of sonic cohesion, clarity, and commercial impact, highlighting his indispensable role as producer and mix engineer.

How High Quality Production Drove the Global Streaming Success of “Rise”

The streaming success of “Rise” highlights WAIN’s contribution. Its infectious energy and polished sound have earned spots on major playlists, helping the song reach audiences worldwide. While Rick Jansen delivers the performance, it is WAIN’s production choices that define the track’s emotional resonance, commercial appeal, and viral impact.

Listen here: Rise on Spotify

About WAIN, an International Music Producer and Mix Engineer

WAIN (Ofir Wainboim) is a music producer, songwriter, and mix engineer known for creating emotionally charged, story driven music with cinematic detail. With over 100 released tracks, WAIN has collaborated with artists across the U.S., U.K., and Europe, handling everything from topline melodies to vocal comping and final mix. Follow him on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes studio work.

His signature sound combines the warmth of acoustic instrumentation with contemporary pop and electronic textures, creating music that feels both intimate and expansive. Every project reflects his deep focus on emotion, atmosphere, and storytelling. Currently based between Europe and the U.S., WAIN is relocating to Los Angeles to expand collaborations with international artists. “Rise” exemplifies his ability to define a song’s sonic identity, proving why his role as producer and mix engineer is essential to global pop success. WAIN’s critical and creative contributions make him an extraordinary professional in his field, capable of producing music that achieves international recognition.