Pop Rock Producer and Mixer

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

A: The band that I have worked with the most in my career is a band called Alesana. I've made almost every record with them, I've even lived with them for a couple years. I've been to Mexico with them, been on several tours with them... I have gotten to know them as people inside and out and when I am in the studio with them things just go exceptionally smooth and laid back. We all have our inside jokes... It's like a mini party/vacation every time we are together and I look forward to building more relationships like that.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: 90% of my work at the moment is mixing for some incredible bands/artists. 10% is recording, writing with some very talented people whom I love. That 10% also eventually turns into mixing as well.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being creative is not something that you feel 24/7. I love that I am my own boss, and I can work on what I please. It keeps me feeling fresh in the morning. I get to wake up and be excited every morning about what I have going on for that day and I am so very grateful for it.

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

A: I am selective about what I take on because I need to really believe in what you are doing in order to give you my best. So I first will say that if I take on your project I'm guaranteed to put everything into it by default. If I don't think I am the right person for the job, I will be straight up and honest with you, and I will recommend you to someone who I know will be an great fit for you.

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

A: They will commonly ask me "how much?" before we even talk about their song(s) because it's unfortunately how the industry has trained everyone. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to price. Some projects will only have a few tracks and take me an hour or two. Others will require weeks. I don't think it's fair to charge a client for several weeks worth of time if it only will take me a couple hours. Tell me about your project, who are you? What are your goals? Are you on a tight budget and so we need to make some sacrifices? What should those sacrifices be? etc etc.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Tell me about your project? What are your goals and aspirations in the long term and for this short term record cycle? What are your promotion and marketing strategies? Do you plan on touring? Do you have management and a team in place? If you were to close your eyes and picture what this record would sound like in a perfect world, what does that sound like? etc etc.

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

A: All of us professionals lean into our credits to help qualify the type of clients we want to work with. BUT keep in mind that just because someone has worked with a band or artist you love, it doesn't mean or guarantee that you are going to work well together. Myself included. Be mindful about the team you surround yourself with. You want a team of like minded people who all believe in the music and understand the vision/goal. You want to find someone that you want around for the long haul.

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

A: If you are looking for the best pop writer/programmer in the business today, hit up my buddy Kenny Carkeet form Awolnation. I work with him all the time.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I think this is a silly question. Either is a viable way to make a record. I have certain things that I like to do digitally and others that I love doing analog, but I could take one or the other and make it sound just as good.

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

A: A lot of people confuse all 3 of the processes of making a song/album. There are three steps in the process: Writing/Recording, Mixing, Mastering. See my answer to "What do I bring to a song" which actually goes into more detail.

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

A: I am a 2009 Full Sail graduate. From there I have been fortunate enough to study under several mentors from both the west and east coast; Oregon, California, North Carolina, Florida.... As well as helped start a record label (which yes is still around today). In 2016 I decided to focus solely on my own work/studio and have been doing it ever since. In total I've been recording/mixing records for over 17 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Big Punchy drums, thick guitars, in-your-face vocals.

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

A: 1) Computer 2) Headphones 3) Prism Converters 4) Inward Connections Vac Rac 5) Empirical labs Distressor

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

A: Anyone that works even harder than I do. I am always trying to improve because that is something that keeps me excited and keeps things fresh. I am always hungry to learn and I want to work with people who have the same mindset. I want to surround myself with amazing people who all push each other to achieve our goals and aspirations.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Forget about the gear. Forget about what you don't have and be grateful for what you do. You don't need "that thing" to be better at whatever it is you are wanting to achieve. Double down on what you feel your good at and what you're strengths are. Quit trying to do a little bit of everything in an attempt to appeal to everyone. Pick that one thing that makes you happy and focus on that. That is all you need to make music that is better than 99.9% of the world.

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

A: Anything with Drums and Guitars I feel right at home. I got my start with "Warped Tour Bands" (Alesana, A Skylit Drive, Issues, Dance Gavin Dance etc) and have since found myself working on a much larger scope of projects. Pop Rock, Alternative Rock, Hardcore, Melodic Hardcore... just to name a few.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Motived. I am crazy motivated and passionate about what I do. I work harder than anyone else because of it. Drums and drum sounds have a special place to me when I am mixing. I obviously love it all but punchy, thick, big drums get me especially excited.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to use a cooking analogy lol: When you are recording and writing, you are gathering the ingredients in the specific proportions you know you would like. You know you want to make a pop song or a rock song or whatever it may be, but as to what your specific dish will sound/taste like is still a little unknown. My job is to take all of those fresh and beautiful ingredients that you provided me and really bring out ALL of the flavors.... Blend everything together in such a way that all the flavors blend and compliment each other in the best possible way. Maybe we need some butter there... salt and pepper here... an exotic herb and a thai chili would go perfect here etc. And finally in mastering, that is when it gets plated for you. The final presentation for you to enjoy.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I try to work as fast an efficiently as possible. I have developed several systems and streamlined processes in an attempt to get things done fast while also keeping my ears and brain fresh, which is a must if you want to put out top quality work. I am also always trying to improve my process/skills. Every project I take on I learn something new and it excites me.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a studio in North Hollywood. Rooms A, B, C and D. Room A has a full SSL Console and is where I record any live instruments like drums, guitars Vocals etc. The other three rooms are mixing/writing suites with various amounts of equipment (we have a TON of it). Rooms A and C are both also available to the public to rent if you're simply looking for a space to work. Ask me about any of it and I'd love to talk to you about it!

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

A: Anyone that is willing to work hard and put in the time. You can learn an instrument fairly easily, and you can train your ear to mix, but you can not train someone to be passionate and work hard at something they don't really want to do or take seriously. The people that have both talent and work their tails off are people that inspire me and those are the types of people I want to work with.

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

A: I primarily mix. I also offer mastering in the sense that I am lucky enough to be surrounded by a team of talented mastering engineers that I can get great prices from. I will select which mastering engineer I think would be best for the project. This is also included in my price so there is no need to shop around for a mastering engineer too.