Sound Design/Mixing/Mastering

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

A: All of my sample packs on Sample Magic and Splice - I'm very proud of all I've accomplished over the last 10 years.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Several projects related to sound design, scoring, and as always, on my main project, The New Division.

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

A: It depends on the style, but I do know some people I'd recommend.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both are great, but I primarily work in the digital realm for about 90% of the time. The other 10% (analog) is only used when I'm doing bus-processing (drums/bass/vocals) or for mastering.

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

A: If I do not deliver what you're looking for, you're more than welcome to give me another try or I'd be happy to recommend someone who can deliver what you need.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I enjoy taking a track from a 5 to a 10 in terms of mixing and mastering.

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

A: It varies from client to client, but often times customers want to know how they should deliver their files. Answer: 24-bit WAV is always preferred in terms of formatting. You're also free to deliver a DAW session, but in this scenario its important to advise on what plugins are used. I work on PC (Windows) so I cannot work with AU plugins.

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

A: Often times people will confuse "producing" with "mixing". Production is the process of sequencing, arranging, and sound design that goes before the mixing process. Mixing is the process whereby we ensure proper gain staging, and sonic clarity of the overall mix. For clarification purposes, "mastering" is the final stage where we ensure your track is ready for distribution. This can, but not always include, stereo imaging correction, limiting, master equalization, and adding sheen to your mix.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: - How many tracks does your song have? - What musical references do you want your song to sound like? - When do you need work delivered by? - What formats would you like your work delivered in? - What DAW are you using? - Has everything been labeled properly for ease of use on my end? - What do you wish to accomplish with the final mix?

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

A: Don't be afraid to reach out - I might not always be available but you can try to reach me at another time for your project.

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

A: Power generator, laptop, interface, headphones, and a lot of coffee.

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

A: I have been producing, mixing and mastering for over 10 years. I've also been a sound designer for the same amount of time, working on over 80 packs for Sample Magic, and Splice. I also love synth sound design, and have created over 20 synth banks for Serum, Massive, Sylenth1, Spire, Astra, and many more.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Laid-back, easy-going and happy to collaborate on projects where the client and I understand what the vision for their track.

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

A: Jon Hopkins - he's a very talented producer/musician and has a forward-thinking approach to creating something beautiful.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always leave some headroom for your mixing engineers. This will not only translate into a better mix, but will leave you with plenty of space to add depth into your final mix.

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

A: Chillwave, Indie/Electronic, Synthwave, Progressive House, Progressive Trance, Darkwave, Post-Punk.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing, Mastering and ability to understand the clients

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Depth, energy and power to a mix/master.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: + I like to work with projects that are almost or near finished (but also am happy to work on projects that are nowhere near the finish line), require final touches on both mixing and mastering. I prefer not to do a lot of extra production (synth and drum re-programming), however I'm always able to consider doing any extra production if need be. + Organized and properly labeled files / projects are a plus. + Mixes / Masters for one track can be finished with the day depending on client's deadline requirements. + I love it when clients send musical references of how they want their tracks to sound like.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Monitoring: Focal Twin6be + Focal Sub Headhpones: Audeze LCD-MX4 Interface: UAD APollo Twin (Black Lion Audio Mod) Outboard Gear: Shadow Hills Dual Vandergraph, Neve 1073, Rupert Neve 542 (Stereo) DAW: Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Pro Tools, Bitwig, Wavelab Plugins: Fab Filter Collection, Plugin Alliance Collection, UAD (various plugins), and much more.

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

A: Com Truise, Above & Beyond, M83, Eric Prydz, CHVRCHES

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

A: Mixing, Mastering, and some producing.