Recording Studio

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently mastering a jazz fusion style album and working on some acoustic drum tracks.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I grew up with the whole analog thing and have had various studio configurations over the years using most of this technology. I think it really boils down to the music and quality of what goes in. I recently heard some old ADAT recordings that I did years ago. To my surprise they sounded great all at 16bit 48khz! As the saying goes "you can't polish a *(*&!"

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: What do I think of their music? I'm always honest but in the nicest possible way.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I don't know anyone on SoundBetter.

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

A: Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I'm my own boss.

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

A: Working with audio is like being a DJ. Buy lots of expensive gear and you can make a great record,

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is their vision for their music.

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

A: Go with someone that is a musician also and who is like minded.

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

A: Avalon mic pre, Neumann U87, my computer, KRK Expose monitors and a generator to provide the electricity of course.

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

A: 25 years of working in the recording/music industry.

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

A: Nick Freer's album as it featured the cream of Australian musicians. My role was to produce, record, mix and master.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Difficult to answer this one.

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

A: Vinnie Coliauta as he is my favourite drummer of all time.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If it sounds good acoustically it usually will sound great recorded. Trust your ears.

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

A: Good music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Perspective as a musician / sound engineer with finely tuned and and experienced ears.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Perspective and vision. Objectivity and a fresh set of skilled and experienced ears. I'm great with grooves and feels so if something isn't right I can usually pin point it and resolve any issues.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Listen first, offer suggestions if required, get a good sound acoustically, record, mix, master.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The facility comprises three different size rooms, all visible to each other and able to accommodate large bands and small chamber orchestral groups comfortably without feeling confined. Plenty of natural light and beautiful scenery together with individual personal monitoring makes recording a joy and allows the flow of creativity.

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

A: I'm really inspired by musicians really. Without fail a good musician is always easy to record and always sound good. I really like Don Bartley's mastering work.

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

A: I find myself recording, mixing and mastering and contributing musically too. Being a drummer and percussionist I find I have a real advantage as I have a musical as well as technical perspective. I also provide additional services such as producing, audio restoration & audio archival and forensic audio.