Multi-Platinum Mix Engineer

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that I get to be a part of making great music with a ton of incredibly talented artists, musicians, and producers. I love when my clients get so excited after hearing how an amazing mix takes their music to a whole new level. I often get comments from clients about how they had no idea their music could be this great until they heard the mix. That's an awesome feeling, and so incredibly rewarding to know that we've created something amazing together!

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

A: I started out going to school for radio broadcasting, and was taking some audio engineering courses as well. I loved being in the studio, and decided I wanted to become a great mixer. After finishing school, I moved to Nashville, TN and worked in a studio as the cleaning guy during the day, and worked at SIR in the evenings. This was 1991. By 1992 I was working on major label records for top artists as an assistant engineer, and from there moved to being the main engineer on many incredible projects throughout the years. It's been over 25 years since I set out on this amazing journey!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How should your song make me feel, and what do you envision for the sound of your project? Are there specific artists, songs, etc that are good examples of your vision for that sound? What else can you tell me about your music and this project that will help me understand what it's about, so that I can mix with that in mind?

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is set up mainly for mixing, and I currently run a Pro Tools HD system. I also do a good bit of overdubs here, and often record all parts for songs here, other than drums. For larger tracking sessions, I simply book one of the amazing rooms here in Nashville, or wherever you may want to work.

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

A: I've been inspired by many people I've worked with over the years, including some great engineers, such as David Leonard, Bill Schnee, Bob Bullock, Steve Marcantonio, etc, and producers such as Peter Collins, Jay Joyce, T-Bone Burnett, Tony Brown, Don Was, and so many others. I've been fortunate to have worked on records with so many incredible artists and musicians over the years, which you can find in my credits and on allmusic.com.

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

A: I create amazing, radio-ready mixes that help bring out the emotion of the music. I can also master my own mixes at no additional charge. Additionally, I do a a good bit of recording and some producing, and can put together session players and programmers to help create your tracks.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I like both analog and digital for different things, but it ultimately doesn't really matter as long as you get killer mixes.

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

A: Always listen to and compare samples of work from the people you are considering to mix your projects. It's important that you love what a mixer does, and that you are hiring someone that you believe in based on what they've done.

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

A: Rock, Pop, Americana, Country, Bluegrass, Metal, Heavy Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B, Blues, Jazz. I work in many different genres. As long as I can feel and connect with your music, I'd love to work with you to make it the best it can be.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My mixes tend to be high energy, exciting, full, and punchy, but are always geared towards bringing out the emotion of the song.

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

A: I will work with you until you're in love with the mixes!

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

A: I find many people think that mixing can be done quickly. Even when the tracks are really well recorded, mixing still takes a good bit of time to dial things in and make the mix amazing. Make sure you budget accordingly for the mix!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen to and understand the song, and make sure everything you do in the process of producing is about the song.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Understanding the emotion of a song, and bringing that out in the mix.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring out the energy and emotion of a song in the mix.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For mixing, I like to get a feel for the song by listening to the rough mix, if one is provided, and by creating very quick mix of the tracks, so I can hear everything in context to get a vision of where the mix should go. I also like to listen to samples of songs and other artists recommended by the client that represent the style and sound they want. Once I work up a mix that I believe is very close to what the artist wants, I will send it out to the artist to get feedback to begin the revision process, and I'll work until the artist is completely thrilled with the results