Remote Mixing & Mastering

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I don't think I can my style is one that is always evolving as I become a better engineer a few things do remain consistent and my sound doesn't change but my mixes are always getting better if that makes sence

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

A: Michael Bublé ... Even though I'm more of a Rock / Metal engineer I would love to work with Michael simply because his music is complex and has a lot of energy that and he's a great artist. I thing his music would present a lot of challenges and if you don't challenge yourself how can you hope to improve on your weak points

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I learned this the hard way ... If you think you can "fix it in the mix" you're wrong get it right at the source get as close to the sound you want from the beginning and you'll make a good record even if you're not that great of a mixer, add a great Mix engineer to the project and he'll make a great record you CANNOT polish a musical turd.

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

A: Rock and Metal, but I've worked on films, rap, country, gospel, and I'm willing to work on anything.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Definitely mixing but I'm well rounded in many aspects of the production process .. Oh and I'm a drummer

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a unique sound and mindset to each song I use a mixture of Polished and Raw sounds a add textures and sounds I experiment with a lot of different aspects of the song in a mix and I always work with the artist to make sure I'm getting them closer or adding to their original vision. Outside of that I bring my own influences and personal tastes to each project no matter what role im playing in the project.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Is EVERYTHING! an acceptable answer?

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

A: That a full album can be recorded in a day or 2

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How would you describe your sound? Do you have the rough mix for the tracks? What's your budget? What are you looking for in the Mix? Who do you think you sound similar to? ETC... I as a lot of questions because it helps me better serve the artist I'm working for

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

A: If you come for recording then spend some time on pre production and make sure everyone knows their parts and service your gear make sure it's in good shape and get new strings and heads. be ready to tune a lot. If you come for Mixing or mastering then get everything ready find out what the engineer wants and needs from you and deliver and make sure the tracks are well recorded to start with

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

A: Guitar, Amp, Mic, Interface, Computer, and cables ... The real question is will I have power?

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

A: I've been working working professionally for 4 years now it started as a hobby when I was 12 I started with my dads band when I was 10 mom was their sound engineer and I followed her around helping however I could and learning a lot. If she was away from the mixer I was the one running it. My passion for recording stemmed from recording some of the live shows, and dad working on and off as a session musician in Nashville. I had a first hand learning experience in the pro studios of Nashville Early on and its all lead to this. On the side I've been playing drums since I was 3 and started my first band at 5 with the help of dad and that band was the first one that I recorded in my home studio.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depending on my role in the project it can be vastly different as far as mixing goes however I usually have my assistant prep the tracks and let me know about any problems with them or if any editing and such needs to be done so I can discus that kind of thing with the artist. Once the tracks are ready and the session is prepped I start my mixing process by listening to the artist's rough mix and taking mix notes and getting a feel for their vision. Then I'll pull in my reference tracks and get started on the foundation of the mix whatever that may be and I build the mix from there.

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

A: There's a pretty long list so I'll just list a few. Chris Lord-Alge. Dave Pensado, Bob Clearmountain. Graham Cochrane, David Glenn, Brian Hood, and a LOT more.

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

A: I commonly do Mixing and Mastering work for my clients and my workflow is ... well its a little different than most I like to keep the client closely involved. Once a client contacts me or I contact them I'll discus a time that we can talk either by phone or by Skype and further discus any questions, requests, and so on I will also do this at about the mid point of the mix sessions I'll pull open a mix and let them hear a bit of it and see whats going on through Skype and get their thoughts and see if I'm in the ball park and I will usually have a third call before I release the tracks for them to make revisions. I do this so that the artist and I are on the same page throughout the duration of the project.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both because why sacrifice one for the other when you can get the warmth and signature sound of analog and the ease and speed of digital.

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

A: That I'll make your record sound as good as I possibly can.