Producer // Engineer

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

A: Don't base your decision simply on price. Affordability is always a factor, but paying big fees doesn't guarantee success for your project. Listen to the music that person has worked on previously and see if that fits your own style. Second to that is communication. Agree on a plan, talk money and get it all in writing.

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

A: - My MacBook Pro - Native Instruments Maschine - Adam Audio Monitors - AKG C414 Microphone - a kettle

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

A: I started DJing in 1996 while studying sound engineering and music production at college. My first job was buying and selling vinyl for a major London record store - my dream job as a young DJ at the time. This led to me working for an electronic music distributor, and managing releases for a tonne of underground labels. I then went on to manage a recording studio and live music venue in Reading, UK. Throughout that time I have been writing, producing and recording music, working with other artists and writing for independent labels.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: You don't really need lots of expensive gear! I have worked with artists who have written whole EPs using an app on their phone. They just needed help to mix it properly.

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

A: I work on a wide spectrum of electronic music flavours but predominantly house, and bass music. As a writer my style is a bit broader with influences from techno, dub and electronica.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: People skills. This is a people oriented business, and i love working with other people.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: At the writing and production stage i bring a comprehensive array of soft synths and contemporary electronic music production tools. This is backed up by 15 years of technical expertise with an ear for detail, and experience as a DJ for what works on the dance floor.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I love working to a brief whether i am working with an independent artist on their first song, or a project for one of my media clients. So i first like to establish what their vision is for the project, and what the end goal looks and sounds like. This is usually done by sharing playlists, discussing favourite artist or songs so i can get a feel for the vibe a client is looking for. Working with an artist for the first time i like to dedicate time listening to what they have already, be that musically or lyrically and discuss what they feel is their best work and how we can bring ideas to life.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am incredibly fortunate to work from two studios. I have my own studio from where i do most of my writing, mixing and production work. Its a purpose built wood cabin in my garden with pretty much everything in the box on my Macbook Pro. I am huge Ableton fan, which is my go to DAW and i use a lot of soft synths from Native Instruments as well as Serum and Omnisphere. I have a Yamaha electric piano, a couple of of midi controllers including my Maschine MK3 and my monitoring is through a pair of Adam A7X studio monitors via a Focusrite audio interface. Studio 2 is Charborough Media where i have access to a large live room, vocal booth, mixing desk and a bright spacious control room complete with its own kitchen and comfy sofas. This is where i work on my bigger recording projects with lots of space for vocalists and session musicians.

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

A: A few years ago i was fortunate enough to do a remix for MC Tunes from 808 State, who were a well known electronic music group from the 90s that i used to listen to in my youth. Also In 2018 i produced a sample pack with singer and songwriter Sabrina Findlay called 'Shots From The Lips', which has been really successful. So successful in fact that i have heard samples from it pop up in tracks, which is quite surreal.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment I'm producing and co-writing an uplifting, disco-fuelled vocal track for Million Media. I'm finishing a new EP release under my Tom Freethos alias, and i am producing music and podcasts for a major new fitness app called With U Training. I also started a new radio show during lock-down called the Beats, Bass & Riddim show which goes out live on Cutters Choice Radio, so that's been a really fun opportunity to share some music from some of my favourite artists... https://mixlr.com/cutterschoiceradio/

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: To be honest i think this is a debate that's becoming harder and harder to answer. Digital software emulations of analog gear are now so accurate it's (almost) impossible to tell the difference. However coming from an engineering background at a time when the shift from analog to digital was happening, i know that there are fundamental characteristics and nuances that only valve capacitors, physical circuitry or a needle on vinyl can produce.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Listening to music all day, everyday!

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

A: I'm hugely inspired by artists and producers who's work transcends different genres, or their music finds its way into other areas such as film and TV.

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

A: My day to day studio sessions are a variety of mixing, recording and production work for independant artists and labels. Alongside this i do a lot of audio production, editing of podcasts and music beds for apps and creative media companies.

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

A: Dave Pemberton : https://soundbetter.com/profiles/2092-dave-pemberton He is a sound guy who has mastered tracks for me, and worked with artists including The Prodigy, Groove Armada, and Kasabian.

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

A: That music producers, artists and DJs earn loads of money and fly around in private jets. A few do, 99.99% struggle to pay the bills.

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

A: Diplo. He's an incredibly talented producer who has transcended into an artist in his own right. His 'sound' has been the midas touch for a lot of other artists.