Music Producer & Mix Engineer

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

A: Probably the first project I ever worked on. Through a friend of a friend I met an aspiring rapper, and we hit it off immediately. He wanted to released an Extended Play and I was very interested in helping him achieve that. It was my first time being hands on, and in person, with an artist. Nothing like your first time trying to help someone express their self.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently helping a folk singer and songwriter complete his 12 track album, its been a lot of fun and we have both learned a lot in the process. I also am working on a personal album, which has been fun, yet challenging at times. Working on a personal album has been interesting because I am able to work with a wide variety of singers and musicians based on my artistic intent.

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

A: Sunni Colón, really cool stuff right now.

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

A: "How long does it take you to create a track from the ground up?" - Sometimes I get hit with inspiration immediately and can sketch out a rough mix in the same day, sometimes it can take longer based on feedback and communication with the client. "Do you write lyrics, or Ghostwrite?" - I have done some songwriting in the past, and can definitely lend a helping hand, but I try to stick to my strong attributes. "Whats your worst experience when working with an artist?" - I was just getting started and knew that I would have to do some free work for people to get my name out there. Unfortunately, one of these first artists I worked with called it quits halfway through the project and decided he did not want to pursue music at the point in time. It definitely hurt to see a bunch of work just thrown by the wayside, but I definitely learned some things about working with people.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Each has their pro's and con's and I think having both is beneficial depending on what you are trying to achieve. There are so many different ways to do one thing, you should never use ONLY one or the other. Be open to new possibilities.

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

A: To use every resource, ability, and creative design I have in my possession to fulfill your vision.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to meet all different types of people and help them on their path of artistic expression. Plus, I flat-out love all music and can never get enough!

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

A: I'm not a DJ.... Every time I tell someone I just met that I produce music I always get the respond, "Oh you're a DJ! Thats so cool!"

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who are your influences? Do you have other finished work that I can listen to, or examples of the kind of sound you are after?

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

A: Be honest, and open in our communication with one another. I want you to succeed as much as you do. Give me your best performance and I'll work my hardest, and some, to set the stage for you.

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

A: My computer, a keyboard (Rhodes specifically), studio monitors & subwoofer, my Fender Strat, and my pre-amp (I love the character it gives to just about anything you run through it)

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

A: I've always had a love for music, and was fascinated by the guitar from a very young age. Played a bunch as a young boy, but as a I grew up I fell out of touch with practicing and playing. It wasn't until I was almost done receiving my Bachelors in Business Marketing that I really dove head first into music production, audio engineering, sound design, and mixing. That was about 6 years ago, and I haven't looked back since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: It really depends. I can get the sub moving air, and bring a danceable energy to a track.I also enjoy working on pieces of music that is more laid-back, and allow vocals or instrumentation to tell a story. I do, however, prefer more upbeat, loud, and powerfull music

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

A: Frank Ocean, because he has one of the most amazing voices and some of the most dynamic contemporary pieces of music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Rework your ideas until you think you can't anymore, and then rework them again.

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

A: R&B, Soul, Electronic, House, Pop, Hip-hop, and Folk

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Seeing the full picture of what the artist wants and relating to him or her through the expression of our work together

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever the artist needs. I can help an artist with his or her vision. I can add arrangement value, or help develop musical ideas further. I can also create entirely new tracks based upon the artists' needs/wants/vision.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Sit down in person, on the phone, Skype, or over e-mail and discuss with the artist their intentions and the direction they would like to go with a song or complete body of work. Based on the artists' needs, I will develop a few ideas and run them by the artist and see where we stand and what direction to go from there. I have learned that a lot of communication back and forth really helps each of us during the process.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I do all my producing and recording through Logic Pro X. Outboard gear consists of a Pro MPA pre amp, Pro VLA compressor, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 audio interface. I use a native instruments Komplete Kontrol 61 keyboard as well as a Maschine MK3 production system. I also have a custom Fender Strat, Ibanez Bass, and Epiphone P Bass. Sampled instruments and synthesizers: Komplete Ultimate 11, Serum, Arturia V Collection, Arturia Pigments, Arcade, Minimoonsta, and various others. Plug-ins: FabFilter Suite, Waves Mercury Bundle, HD Cart Reverb, Valhalla Reverb Suite, Auto-Tune, Melodyne, and many many more.

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

A: Classic Rock - The Beatles, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac R&B Soul - Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Ray Charles, The Temptations Pop - Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake Rap/Hip-Hop - Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Lil' Wayne, Kante West, Jay-Z, Tupac, J.Cole, OutKast Dance - Calvin Harris, Tiesto, Diplo, Zedd, Major Lazer House - Zhu, Disclosure, Daft Punk

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

A: Full song production for musicians, as well as arranging and mixing of steams sent to me be a client. Audio recording and editing for artists and podcast hosts.