I Make Viral Music

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

A: My latest solo album was mixed and produced entirely by me! I'm really proud of the reception its gotten by the fans, and the feedback from my mastering engineer. I already feel like I can one-up in next time. But so far it's been nothing but positive feedback on the project!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A new Maddy Kay EP! Phenomenal folk singer signed to my label. Plus loads of 'here and there' sorts of stuff. Always making instrumentals and experimenting every spare moment as well.

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

A: Camilo Silva F., true professional.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because it has gotten so damn good that the benefits far out-weigh the costs. Workflow to me is everything and stopping a session to troubleshoot a pre-amp when a singer is in the zone is probably the best way I've found to miss out on a magical moment. Digital has a name because at the beginning it wasn't as sonically pleasing as analog, and people didn't understand/respect the boundaries of digital gear. Just listen to some of the squished records being put out in the 00's and you'll hear what I'm talking about. Now that the digital growing pains are out records are sounding as warm and spacious as ever, many of which are mixed entirely in the box.

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

A: Your record will not be a background track. If it comes on at the party people will start bobbing their heads and ask "Who's this? I like it!".

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The challenge. I'm the type of person always pushing myself to get better and better. With new styles and sounds always emerging, there is no limit to the challenges and creative possibilities I may face as a producer/ mixer.

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

A: I've had people ask a lot 'How do you get my vocal so clear?!' I think it's just good EQ/ Compression and too much attention to vocal effects (especially pre-delay times and reverb imaging).

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

A: The biggest misconception about mixing is that it should be tackled as a piece by piece process. So many people spend too much time emphasizing the parts and not the whole. No one care about your killer 808 or fancy vocal effect if the song doesn't groove. I believe that's where many young mixers go wrong.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: It's important to me that clients know what they want, and how much control of the project they are willing to give up. Too many artist have no idea what they want when they approach me with a song idea, which makes the beginnings of the process quite slow and tedious. It's absolutely essential as an artist to develop style, and taste. Know what you want and even more importantly, what you don't want in your track.

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

A: If you're looking for that next level quality at a reasonable price, don't be afraid to take the next steps. Even if you're looking to mix and master your own music in the future, it is worth your time and money to connect with and learn from other artists! Much of what I've learned is from working with/for other musicians.

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

A: I Fender acoustic/electric (my first 'nice' guitar), my Sennheiser 441 Dynamic microphone, Neve 5023 portico preamp, my iMac loaded with Logic X, and some NS10s. As long as I can track down and XRL and some wifi, I'll be set to make some records haha

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

A: I have been writing and creating music since I was 14 years old. I'm now 23 years old, and have broadened my skill set to production, mixing, mastering, in addition to my own solo career.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I definitely have a distinct 'sound', for better or worse. I think it's because I like to leave a lot of transient content in my mixes, in a world where songs are getting more and more squished and compressed.

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

A: Anyone who likes to take risks! I love the new sounds/genre blending that we've been hearing in recent years. Nothing inspires me more than something I've never heard before.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Learn the fundamentals. Know the rules, so that you know when to break them.

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

A: Primary hip-hop, pop, rock, and alternative.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Clients and fans tell me that I am good at creating dimension and ambience in my music. Setting a scene and telling a story sonically.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to prioritize and emphasis the 2-3 most important elements of a mix and really make them pop. I like loud vocal, loud drums, and lush reverb.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: After listening and making notes I emphasis frequency balance before I get into the bells and whistles. Typically mixing the first half at least in mono. Once the sonic landscape is flattened and levels and balanced I add the spice ;)

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I'm an in the box guy. I mix off Logic X using my NS10s and ATH-M50 Pro headphones. I actually have the pleasure of mixing in my 11"x16"x40" studio, which I've built myself from the ground up. The mixing space is probably the highlight of my set up for sure! I'm fairly adamant about the quality of digital mixing, and I think you'll find more and more of the best in the world are staring to agree. It's the ears not the gear that makes a mix.

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

A: Tyler the Creator Anderson .Paak Kanye West Mac Miller Dave Pensado

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

A: Hip-hop mixing and production