Songwriter.Producer.Musician

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a hybrid setup with both analog hardware and Universal Audio Plugins to give all of my productions a distinctive analog vibe. I utilize analog outboard gear from SSL, API, Rupert Neve Designs, Harrison, Neumann, Peluso, Mojave, A Designs and Tegeler Audio Manufaktur along with an extensive list of virtual analog gear from Universal Audio. I take advantage of 32 channels of analog I/O via Two Apollo 16 interfaces and their associated processing power into a Mac Pro running any number of DAW’s! I monitor through a matched pair of extraordinary Focal SM9 monitor speakers and a Dangerous Music Monitor ST. I utilize the studio’s great sounding live room for some beautiful natural ambience as needed per project! And if you get the opportunity to visit I will make you a killer latte on the in house Espresso Machine!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A project called “Time Lord Soliliquy”. It is a single from a singer/songwriter duo. I think it would best be described as Fantasy Rock! Due for release December 2018!

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

A: GAT3 Productions! I graduated from their recording program in 2014 and became good friends with Glenn, Susan, Madelenn, and Wade! Fantastic folks and an incredible facility of the highest caliber!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I like the colors that analog brings and the flexibility that digital brings! Best of both worlds!

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

A: I will always give my absolute best to your song, your project!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I absolutely LOVE creating new original music! There is just something about creating something brand new that the world has never heard before that really inspires me!

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

A: That I can make less than stellar performances sound....well......stellar! :-) I can do a LOT, but there ARE limits! The better the INPUT is.....the better the OUTPUT will be!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. What is your ultimate goal in this project? 2. Who will your audience be? 3. Digital release? Physical release? Both? 4. What is your timeframe? Do you have any rock solid deadlines? 5. What would you say your style is? 6. What are you looking for from me?

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

A: Try and find someone whom you feel will put your music first, who genuinely cares about your songs and how they sound and transfer to the world!

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

A: Neumann u87, Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Quad, Complete UAD plugin package, Shure SRH1540 Closed-back Mastering Studio Headphones, Line 6 JTV-69 Variax HSS.

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

A: I started in 1989 with two cassette decks and an old Radio Shack mixer and I would spend hours and hours creating music by bouncing tracks back and forth between the two decks and adding other live parts. I was hooked! Over the years I continued to grow and expand my studio and skills. In 2014 I graduated from The GAT3 Recording Program and began to really expand the studio’s capacity and quality to what it is today!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would say I love vocal harmonies, and creative use of vocals as “instruments” in a song. Love to experiment with guitar and different guitar textures to create a certain feeling as well.

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

A: I would absolutely LOVE to work with a young singer/songwriter by the name of Chelsea. Currently she is an unknown, unsigned talent. SO much potential in this girl! Incredible songwriter, amazing vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, fantastic entertainer, and a very personable, attractive young lady! Oh the things we could create together!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I find that for me it is good to step away from the technology and focus on the song first. That is why I usually start with a quick static mix that I will take with me and listen casually as a “listener” while doing other tasks. It seems to inspire many more creative ideas than sitting in front of my console. Don’t ask me why it works, but it does!

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

A: I have probably worked on more Contemporary Christian music than anything, but I have also worked with Singer/Songwriters, Rappers, Country, Rock, Folk, Americana. Would love to work with more Jazz, Bluegrass, Newgrass.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am a great listener! I can listen to a song (usually takes me 3-5 listens) and quickly come up with creative solutions, ideas to add spice to a song!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I would say I have a knack for focusing on each individual song and what THAT song needs to be the very best it can be! Creative use of delays, vocal harmonies, and various instrumentation to creatively lift a song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Initially I will create a quick static mix of a new project and do a quick mixdown. I will listen to that mix as I am running around to try and get the song “down inside me”. It is at this point that I can begin to formulate creative mix solutions or suggestions for additions to the mix that I believe would lift the song to a new level!

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

A: Steely Dan, Dire Straits, Queen, Alabama Shakes, Brad Paisley, Chris Lord-Alge, Glenn A. Tabor III.

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

A: Tracking, Mixing, and Mastering for full productions while offering some creative production suggestions with a heart for enhancing a particular songs impact. Working toward adding video production services as well.