Multi-Platinum Mixer (Rap R&B)

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

A: What is the difference between a "2-Track Beat" and a "Full-Tracked Out Beat"? Please explain what "Editing", "Alignment", and "Tuning" entails? A 2-Track Beat is the stereo bounce of all the instruments and drums playing together. A full, tracked-out beat is every sound on a separate stem / multitrack of its own (example: Kick, Snare, Bass, Melody, etc.). Editing involves cleaning up the audio by removing any unwanted noises, pops & clicks, or breaths from the signal as well as making sure there aren't any mistakes in the recordings. If there are mistakes, I must fix them before I move forward with the mix. If there are many vocal takes that need to be comped, this is also done in the editing phase. Alignment is making sure all the vocals are on rhythm and synced up with each other as well as the beat. If you have a lead and doubles playing on top of each other, they need to be time aligned so it doesn't sound bad and unprofessional. I sometimes have to go syllable-by-syllable and time-stretch each word to make sure it's on point! Vocal tuning is making sure all of the vocals are tuned to the key of the song and are hitting the correct / intended melody notes. The singer should definitely try their best to sing the correct melody notes as best as they can before being tuned. Software such as Melodyne and Autotune as well as a few other pitch plugins I own will help keep everything in tune. Editing, Alignment, and Tuning is something I do before any EQs, Compressors, or FX are applied.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When it comes to post production and mixing, organizing the session is the most important and first thing I do. Putting all of the most important sounds at the top of the session starting with the kick drum and working my way down. Proper color-coding and bussing is the next step. I like to balance everything out volume-wise before I add any eqs, compressors or fx. After that I will edit the vocals, choose the best takes (comping), and make sure everything is time-aligned properly. Next I will tune the vocals if needed. Now that all of that is complete, the actual mix will begin!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I own some some pretty cool digital and analog keyboards, synths, drum machines, samplers and more! Some of my gear includes: Korg M3, Yamaha Reface CS, Yamaha Reface DX, Yamaha Reface YC, Yamaha Reface CP, Korg Volca Modular, Korg Volca FM, Roland TR-08, Roland JU-06A, Roland D-05, Roland JP-08, Casio SK-5, Bastl Microgranny, and a couple of old cassette recorders for lo-fi production. The DAWs I use are Pro Tools, Fl Studio, and Cool Edit Pro.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just recently released a retro 80's / synthwave inspired instrumental album called "Synths The Beginning (Pt. 1)". Check it out!! Just search Steven Q-Beatz - Synths The Beginning (Pt. 1) on whichever platform you use. I produced and mixed the entire project. Besides my own company Steven Kubie Productions, I'm also a member of production team QST Music Group and have done a lot of work with 12th&Collins Ent. I also love collaborating with other talented producers, songwriters, artists and musicians.

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

A: My production team QST also has a Soundbetter page!

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

A: People may not think I'm as experienced as I am...

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: "What kind of sound are you going for with this song?" "Can you send me a ruff demo / reference of the song you need mixed or produced?"

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

A: I get inspiration from many different genres from all different eras!

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

A: I would be willing to work with any artist who has a unique voice and is open minded!

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

A: I am a co-writer on Chris Brown's song "Wet The Bed" feat. Ludacris. I programmed the beat and played the main keys/synths. The song appeared on his "F.A.M.E." project and won a Grammy in 2011 for Best R&B album! I received a Grammy Winning certificate for my work. I also received an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award for the song. The album is currently 2x Platinum and the single is currently more than 1x Platinum. I recently received a Latin Grammy Nomination for co-writing the song "Eres Top" on Ozuna's "Nibiru". "Nibiru" received a nomination for Best Urban Album at the 2020 Latin Grammys.

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

A: Fl Studio, Cool Edit Pro, Protools, Mac, PC

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I've been told that my drum programming skills, arrangement skills, time alignment skills, sample flipping skills, and vocal tuning skills are the best! Also, a few mastering engineers have told me that my mixes were so good that they didn't really have to do much lol.

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

A: I will do whatever it takes to make sure that my clients are happy with the results.

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

A: Hit me up!! I am ready to do anything music & audio related!!

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

A: I have been doing music for over 20 years!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Since I love listening to all kinds of music for inspiration and enjoyment, I have adapted many different styles into my music productions. I don't just stick to one sound. I believe it is important for a producer to have a signature sound, but they should also always be versatile. I can make music that can fit right in with today's hip-hop and r&b and I can also produce an 80's inspired synth-pop song. I know which drums / sounds are best fit for the style I am currently working on.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I do what I love to do! I'm able to do my dream job!

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

A: Music Production Drum Programming Audio Editing (Time Alignment, Quantizing, Comping, Vocal Tuning) Mixing Mastering

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Nowadays most digital stuff can do the job and the consumers can't really tell the difference. I still love using analog gear in my productions including synths, cassette tapes, eqs and compressors.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Flipping the polarity / phase of your kick drums can make a huge difference!

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

A: I typically work in the rap / hip-hop, R&B, and retro 80's genres and sub-genres. I also have plenty of experience in pop, dancehall, and reggaeton genres as well.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I pay close attention to detail. I know the importance of arrangement and song structure. I like to make sure that about every 4 bars a new element either comes in or changes to keep the listener interested. I make sure the drums hit hard and are the right fit for the song.