One-Stop music production

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: An aspiring band called The Many, and a singer-songwriter called Liloe Rix. Also another singer-songwriter who names himself Parker in Amsterdam.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital recordingnand editing with analog compression. Because it's cheaper to record digital, and most of my clients need the digital editing techniques to mask their shortcomings. However, it's a treat to be able to use the analog tube compressor on vocals, bass, and just about to everything.

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

A: That you will be satisfied with the end product, as well as with the process. It's a also important that the client has had a great experience recording the material, because he or she will have to work with it for a long time.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: To hear music that no one else has heard yet. To be able to shape how it will sound for the fans.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How well can you play the music? Which lineup do you want on the record? What existing record or artist do you want your album to sound like?

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

A: I would make sure that there's a click. Also, the producer should have the same idea about music in general. They should have overlapping tastes.

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

A: I started producing about 15 years ago, but I went pro about 8 years ago. I'm not depending on music production fees fortunately. I make most of my money playing live.

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

A: The latest album of Case Mayfield. It got great reviews, especially mentioning the sound of the album.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: No nonsense, very musical, flexible and experimental as well. I always go for the simple solutions. If I can record the drums with 3 mics, then I prefer that.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Yeah. Don't lose yourself in details. Nowadays, with the digital editing possibilities, it's often too tempting to get everything just perfect. My suggestion is to wait until you've recorded most of the tracks. Then you can decide which parts need editing work. Otherwise you might throw away some of that spontaneity.

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

A: Most of my clients are acoustic singer-songwriters, because I founded the Amsterdam Songwriters Guild. I'm a singer-songwriter myself.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say drumming. I started when I was 8 years old, and I never quit playing the drums.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Because of my singer-songwriter skills, I'm able to listen and feel if the song needs some more work. I can also arrange drums and rhythm section, because of my experience as a live musician. Because I'm a good drummer, I can feel if the rhythm is tight.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by asking what the artist wants out of the recording. Also, I need to know if the artist wants to track everything together, or work through overdubs. Both is fine, but you need a different approach with the two options.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have two rooms, separated by a wall. So you can't see each other. It's a project studio I would say. I got a couple of analog tube compressors, lots of nice mics and some great drum kits - I'm a drummer myself. We also got some small but nice amps, plus a Fender Bassman. We have a great sounding acoustic upright piano.

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

A: People like the producer behind the Dap-tones. What he can do with just 8 tracks is amazing. Also, hip hop producers like RZA or Timbaland have influenced me. Also Questlove, with his work on the latest D'Angelo album.

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

A: I mostly produce EPs for artists. 4 to 5 songs. That's what most artists want right now. Sometimes I'm indulging myself in producing a full length album, which I quite enjoy.