Producer Mixing Engineer

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

A: A guitar, keyboard, good mic, headphones and a laptop. That's all you need really to make music nowadays :)

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

A: 2020 has been a very challenging year for all of us but I have been really blessed. I think the song "Imagination" I wrote together with Tamar Davis and Jellybean Johnson, is one of the most special releases at the moment. It is also the first song on my Soundbetter medley so feel free to have a listen but most importantly, there are more coming soon!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on several EPs and Albums at the moment and they are all from different genres. I have recently scored a short film by Magnus Walker, "Big Apple Outlaw" which was a super fun project.

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

A: Oh there are many producers, songwriters and top liners I would recommend in a heart beat. If I know I'm not feeling it I would always recommend someone who can do better than me. I work with several Soundbetter members and they always deliver their best.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both actually, digital gives you the speed and efficiency which is so important while creating but analog gives you all the feels, colors and flavors.

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

A: I always give them my best. The word "almost" or "good enough" is not in my dictionary.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I think it's how unpredictable it is. Every project is different and I'm always so excited to start something new. Also, I pretty much get paid for playing most of the time. Can't beat that :)

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

A: They usually ask about my approach and what my process is. You need to get to know each other a bit if you are going to spend some time in the studio together and I respect that. I just provide the space for the to create freely.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask about the goal and the vision for the project. We have to be on the same page and know exactly what we are aiming at. It's a creative work but it has to be efficient as well. We should know the competition, the audience, artists's strengths and weaknesses. It's a team work and in the end, those recordings stay forever.

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

A: Please know where you are headed with your music. Have a clear vision of what you want to achieve as an artist. Have an open heart and mind. Every musical encounter could be an amazing inspiration if you allow it to happen.

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

A: I started playing piano when I was 12 years and really quickly got into it. Got my hands on the first DAW (Sonar Cakewalk I believe) in the studio environment when I was 17. But that was just studying and having fun. I would say I've been doing this professionally for more than 10 years now and been fortunate to work with some really amazing voices over the years. Had multiple songs on top of the charts, placements with major record labels and I have definitely grown a lot after moving to California. Being able to work with the best talent in the world is a dream come true.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Someone described it once as "Vibey". That should be pretty accurate. I've been growing up listening to funky 80's and I love strong rhythms and beats but I also love moody, cinematic sounds. These two worlds are definitely present in my production. The music has to be able to take you for a journey when you listen to it. You might love it or hate it but it definitely needs to leave a mark.

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

A: Prince...no doubt! The way he was able to bend genres but stay true to his vision is still the greatest mystery to me. He was able to play pretty much every single instrument on Earth and would bring creative people together as a family. That's very rare nowadays. Created so many bands and projects in his career...I don't really know anyone with such an amazing potential these days.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: It might sound obvious but just don't be lazy and leave your ego outside the studio. Always do what's best for the song because in the end, that's all that matters.

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

A: I would say it's mostly pop related genres. I love darker, underwater, moody synth sounds but since I moved to California I discovered so many new genres like Country and Americana, and I absolutely love them all! Also, absolutely adore working with unique voices, choirs and a-capella groups. They just have one instrument, which is their voice, and it's incredible what they can do with it. Its so organic and natural.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever the song needs. It's always all about the song. Sometimes it's just a mix, sometimes there should be a change in lyrics or change of a key to make sure artist is perfectly comfortable delivering the story. I bring another set of ears , experience and intuition. I always try to follow what feels right.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's definitely one of my favorite places on earth. Located in Los Angeles, the studio has a very cool retro vive to it. The setup is hybrid with 1980's Trident 65 Series analog console as a centerpiece, calibrated with modern summing from Looptrotter Audio. My main DAW is Ableton which I have been using pretty much exclusively since 2008. The acoustically tuned live room with hardwood floors is big enough to accommodate a live band for a full live recording.

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

A: Every musical encounter is an incredible inspiration. It's all about the right energy. There is nothing better than being synchronized in a creative process with an artist in the studio, exchanging ideas and forgetting about an outside world for a minute. That's why it's so important to collaborate with as many artists as possible. It's a beautiful journey.

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

A: Most of the time I'm asked to do a complete music production from scratch to finish, whether it's a single, EP or the full length album but I really enjoy having demos or song ideas and turning them to the finished, release ready product.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think it's synchronizing with artists in a creative process. Once I get inspired everything happens really fast. I have a pretty strong intuition for a guy so I'm able to feel the artist without asking too many questions :)))

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I can work with anything just to start with. Could be just a vocal loop, drum loop or a particular sound that I like. I spend a lot of time getting to know the artist's music taste to make sure we are on the same page. I like to make things happen quickly and hear the final project as soon as possible so there no time to overthink stuff. It's just better to be spontaneous. Music is nothing else then live, evolving art.

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

A: Let me put it this way, sometimes it's not about the music at all, or that snare sound or what mic to use. Sometimes it's just about the connection and support that record producer has to give the artist he works with. You may be the most talented producer in the world but if you lack interpersonal skills you are not going anywhere.