Ben Jacob

Producer, Mixing & Mastering

Ben Jacob on SoundBetter

I am proud to say I have worked in studio sessions with such artists as Lydia Lunch, MC Tunes, Myke Wilson and also don live sound for an intimate gig with KT Tunstall.

With over 10 years in production, mixing and mastering in both live and electronic music, my passion for all aspects of the music industry define me as an experienced professional.

I have worked with many artists and bands, producing, recording, mixing and mastering various projects, as well as teaching music production, audio engineering, media and graphic design subjects alongside working in commercial studios.

I am passionate about all sound and audio design related subjects. I enjoy listening, writing and producing all types of music and sounds for projects both personal, collaborative and for clients. I love sharing information, finding solutions for technical problems, being creative and learning new skills.

A&R for Sub-Label Recordings

Drum and Bass producer in “aardonyx”

Mix engineer / Music producer

Mastering Engineer

I write a music blog with reviews and positivity at City 2 Coast Audio | c2caudio.com.

I teach music production and media subjects.

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

Interview with Ben Jacob

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: I am half of a drum and bass production duo called 'aardonyx'. We have recently finished a 10 track album with three featured vocalists. My roles across the tracks ranged from and included, composition, arrangement, recording, mixing and mastering.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: Mastering for Sub-Label Recordings 2019 releases, mainly techno and dnb genres. Producing a soul funk crossover band from their recording sessions.

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Both, the variation and depth of analogue, but the precision of digital.

  7. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  8. A: To produce a project output that we are both proud of and that is the best work that I can do.

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: Being able to work with other musicians and producers, being inspired by all music and sounds.

  11. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  12. A: That I only work with rock bands or drum and bass.

  13. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  14. A: What are your musical inspirations? What are the artists that you listen too? Tell me the most important parts of the music, for you.

  15. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  16. A: To check files before sending to make sure they are as required. To be as detailed as possible with requests or directions so that they can be interpreted correctly. Communicate with me and help me to realise your ideas to their full potential.

  17. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  18. A: Semi-Acoustic guitar Tsunami Chorus Pedal Moog Voyager Roland RE201 Active PA Speaker

  19. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  20. A: I have worked as a mix engineer and studio owner for many years, working with bands and electronic music, recording, mixing and mastering. Alongside, i have taught music production and audio engineering subjects in Music Technology colleges. I have been working in music for over 10 years.

  21. Q: How would you describe your style?

  22. A: I would describe my style as upfront and detailed.

  23. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  24. A: I'd like to work with like minded people so that i can learn from them as well as working on successful projects.

  25. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  26. A: When using EQ, think of the sounds and their frequencies as jigsaw pieces. If you cut away from one sound, this will allow space for another to sit in that frequency range pocket created.

  27. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  28. A: Various electronic styles and live bands. In particular Drum and Bass, Techno and Rock.

  29. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  30. A: Mixing.

  31. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  32. A: An open mind and understanding of instruments from many genres.

  33. Q: What's your typical work process?

  34. A: I aim to work methodically through all projects, ensuring that I have references for desired output. I like to speak with the client to get a good understanding of what they want to achieve in a project.

  35. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  36. A: I have a striped down setup at home consisting of a Macbook Pro, Logic X, Ableton Live 9, Dynaudio and Genelec Monitors, a Motu Track 16 audio interface, Focusrite Preamp, Roland JV, Waldorf Rocket, Universal Audio UAD plugin suite, iZotope Mastering plugin suite, Soundtoys and Native Instruments as well as a range of guitars, microphones and percussion. I also have access to several studios kitted out with larger mixing desks including Midas, Neve, SSL and Soundcraft, a huge array of microphones including C414s, U87s, Geminis, amps and a large amount of outboard gear including a Roland RE201, TL Audio EQ, Bellari RP583, Lexicon reverbs and a range of synths.

  37. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  38. A: Quincy Jones, Chris Lord-Alge, Dr Dre,

  39. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  40. A: Recording, Mixing, Mastering and Remixes are the main areas that I cover for clients and people I collaborate with.

Gear Highlights
  • Dynaudio Monitors
  • Genelec Monitors
  • Bellari RP583
  • TLAudio Valve EQ
  • Roland RE201
  • Focusrite Voicemaster
  • MOTU Track 16 Interface
  • UAD Plugin suite
  • iZotope Ozone Mastering Suite
  • Soundtoys Plugins
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