Online Audio Production

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

A: That its meant to be easy, quick and cheap and too many people can deliver what I can. You can put two percussionists in the same room and have them each play the exact same thing and they each will be vastly different from each other. The inner nature, styles and approach that I bring to any project is unique and not everyone can deliver what I can, while I certainly cannot deliver what anyone else can.

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

A: 2 things: 1. Good, Fast & Cheap - they can pick any two (Good & Fast or Fast & Cheap or Cheap & Good) - Never all three 2. Clarity: A specific and detailed description of the finished product they would like to hear before commencement of production saves a lot of hassle for the future and gives me an opportunity to get on the same page as the client well before.

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

A: An acoustic guitar, microphone, macbook pro with logic pro x, UAD apollo quad, power supply

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

A: I have been doing Radio for about 7 years and actively involved in music production for 2 years. I started in Radio as soon as I graduated 7 years ago and since then, many avenues for both Radio and music production have opened up for me to be engaged with

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Edgy, deep and very spacious

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

A: If I have to be particular, it would be any unsigned, aspiring artist who's music has the ability to capture people's imagination while breaking away from anything that's been done in the past or present

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When composing, focus on emotion. When mixing, focus on bringing character to that emotion without upsetting the balance

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

A: So far I have worked on ambient, rock and pop styles of music. In my spare time for Radio broadcast, I have produced quite a few short pieces of dance/electronic music and also produced the odd filmscore styled orchestral theme. However my strengths remain in the pop/rock realm

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is perseverance. From the moment I realise that a song/idea can go in a certain positive direction, I stay in relentless pursuit of ensuring that the song reaches that point where I instinctively know that its ready to go places. I'm not one to be satisfied very easily, and in turn this also helps me constantly raise the bar for myself.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As far as composition is concerned, I try to produce the songs with the objective of being a little groundbreaking in terms of ideas, yet commercially viable for the Radio. I try to steer away from the norm and focus on how I can change the norm while still being fresh. From the mix point of view, I first focus on ensuring that the song integrates seamlessly with existing music on the radio/user playlists and always try to bring a sense of emotional depth, space and dynamics into the finished mix.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Since I produce most of my artists from start to finish, composition & arrangement tends to run in parallel with mixing. However, once the entire session is complete, I do two to three more mixes after to polish and identify alternative soundscape probables after which it generally gets prepared for mastering

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: 8 core Mac Pro 2010 (cheese grater), Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Alesis M1 Active MKII speakers, sE X1 Mic Bundle, Roland TD 20SX Electronic Drum Kit, Novation SL MKII 61 midi controller. Pro Tools, Logic Pro X & Reason 8 software

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

A: Musicians that inspire me are from different backgrounds, starting from Chart toppers of past and present as well as local musicians and performing artists. Some of my favourite producers are Bob Clearmountain, Teddy Riley, Quincy Jones, Trevor Horn, Rodney Jerkins, Brian Eno, Steven Wilson, Max Martin & many more

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

A: Commercial voiceover production, music for broadcast and music production for performing artists

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. A clear indication of the scope of work 2. An idea of the budget involved 3. Any qualitative benchmarks they may have (examples of other work) 4. Are they open to any creative input or wish they are delivered exactly what is asked for