Mix Engineer | Producer

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

A: Lanterns On The Lake 'Spook The Herd' - it was a joy to record, and I'm immensely proud of the mixes on that record.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Record in analog as much as possible, mix in digital, master in both. Thats my philosophy and I'm sticking to it.

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

A: I promise to delivery a world class sounding mix, full of life and energy that is as a close to the vision given to me by the client.

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

A: Listen to their credits, if you like what you hear get in touch. Don't rush into anything when you do, its good to talk first and ensure you've got the right mixer. Mixing can be a complex process

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

A: Pultec EQP-1A, LA-3A, Thermionic Culture Vulture, Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, Neve 1073

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

A: Radiohead - I'm not sure I need to explain why.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Serve the song! I think thats always my priority, whatever the song needs, or doesn't need. Often the less you do to a song the better, especially when tracking things like guitars. Concentrate on making the core elements of the track sound amazing.

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

A: Its been varied over the years. I've mixed a lot of really heavy stuff, massive drums and guitars, but also some really dark, beautiful electronica, I love mixing strings, you can get lost in that. A lot of singer songwriter, acoustic material. I've never done hip hop, I'd love to do hip hop!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I try to serve the song as much as possible. I come from a song writer perspective, as that is how I started out, I was the guitar player in a band, and kind fell into the production / mixing world. Most importantly I always keep in mind that the client is in charge, its their song, not mine. I try to bring out the vision they have. For me its all about the energy

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I split mixes into two days, day 1 is sorting out the template, setting up sends and what have you. Day 2 is the fun stuff, automation, adding the beauty in the mix, the real creative part. Sometimes I get it all done in one day, always depends on the song really.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in Protools. Entirely in the box. I remember hearing The Black Keys 'Brothers' and I was so fascinated by the sound of that record, I then discovered Tchad Blake had mixed that entirely in the digital world, and after that I decided to do the same. I love analogue for recording, but in mixing I like the freedom digital provides.

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

A: I love Tchad Blake, his mixes are incredible, so much depth. Nigel Godrich is also a huge inspiration.

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

A: Mostly mixing. Clients send me their files, I mix them in two days, sometimes less. I send mixes over as MP3's, and then we take it for there.