Mixing Engineer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A track recorded with the great saxophonist Dean Fraser, all instruments and background vocals were recorded in Kingston Jamaica. The lead vocal recorded in the PJ Mixing Lounge. Every single part of the recording was recorded very well making each element easier to place in the mix.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When a project is sent to me first thing I do after import is listen a few times getting a feel for the song. While listening I'll label tracks and move them into the order I like to work in with drums up top then bass, the guitars etc finally moving on to the vocals. I listen for any anomalies that may be in each track that may need to be edited out, once that is complete I move on to eq on tracks that may need it.

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

A: I do most of the recording and mixing for my clients, many of them are musicians with live instruments.

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

A: That we can take an awful recording and magically "fix it in the mix"

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

A: Like I said before if you're coming here to record know ahead of time of what you want to do to save yourself some money. I've seen too many ppl waste money by making up the lyrics in the studio. For mixing an artists music, have an idea or direction in where you want to take the song(s) or just be at ease and see where I'll take it on my own.

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

A: Well I'd need a solar panel system to generate electricity so I could plug my laptop, vs100, mpc touch, 2 turntables and mixer.

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

A: I've been doing this for about 15 years, and the last 5 years only recording and mixing, the 10 years before it was my day job along with occasional studio work.

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

A: Rihanna, for some reason I'd just love to mix one of her songs and bring my own flavor to one of her productions.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Know your lines/lyrics before you come to the studio. Know what you want as in the sound you're aiming for in a mix.

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

A: At this time mostly reggae, hip-hop and rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening! When you listen to the music and to the artist you're able to bring out what they want out of their composition.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I started out as a dj (still do) so with the knowledge of a vast amount of different genres on how they should sound in various environments; I bring that to each song. As a drummer I know how I'd like a drum to sound in a song, as a lover of music I mix in a way to bring out the feelings in a particular song.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio set up is simple and based around Sonar. I did start back in the day with reel to reel and cutting tape and using a real mixer, so when I went digital I studied everything and most definitely wanted and need a mixer/control surface to go along with the outboard gear I have. My computer is custom made when Rain was doing that a few years ago. I've made my custom patchbays which are along side a couple dbx patchpays and I have focusrite and the vs700 system for my i/o into the computer.

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

A: Dean Fraser, saxophone player, I've worked with him and watched his professionalism and knowledge in the studio. Earth Wind & Fire the way they crafted their music and lyrics, Quincy Jones and Roger Troutman for the same reason.