D. Mark Owen on SoundBetter

The driving force behind Cryptic Cadet, with Tim Lefebvre and Cam Tyler, Mark is a Cum Laude graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, a seasoned veteran behind the keyboards, and an accomplished producer, mix engineer, and songwriter.

D. Mark Owen is a pianist, keyboardist, producer, mix engineer, arranger, music director, and proprietor of his own innovatively designed studio, Nonebody Productions. Formerly based in Las Vegas, Owen spent 13 years as the Associate Conductor of Cirque Du Soleil’s mammoth show KÁ, the largest production in the world, where he played keyboards, composed and arranged behind the scenes, and managed the Ableton playback systems. He is the driving force of the pop group Cryptic Cadet along with Cameron Tyler and electric bass giant Tim Lefebvre which released the 2021 album Disconnected featuring vocalist Olivia Rubini, and is preparing to release their newest full length album, Terminus, featuring Michael Landau , Lyle Workman, Will Champlin, and Lucy Woodward.

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Interview with D. Mark Owen

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Cryptic Cadet-Terminus. My favorite project so far. Closest I've come to bringing my vision to life. I acted as producer, songwriter, lyricist, keyboardist, pianist, recording engineer, mix engineer, and mastering engineer.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Writing songs for the new Cryptic Cadet record.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Tim Lefebvre. Best bass player out there.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I make liberal use of both because both have their ups and downs.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will never lie to you.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The constant variety of music.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How did you learn to play like that? I've spent most of my life in a room alone with my instruments.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it's easy.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are your expectations? How much input are you looking for during the process?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Begin with the end in mind.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Moog One, Prophet Rev 2, Oberheim OB6, Access Virus Ti2, and my Yamaha C7 piano.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: More than 40 years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: If Pink Floyd and Steely Dan had a baby with Radiohead.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Donald Fagen because he's a master at integrating the jazz and pop worlds.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Use less reverb!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: All kinds. I don't believe there is bad music, just music that is badly performed or produced. And I"m here to help that.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Producing and playing.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Decades of experience performing, producing, writing, mixing, and being involved in the music business in all levels.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: That depends on the needs of the client. I try to focus on what will be most helpful to their particular situation. Sometimes it's just a piano track. Sometimes it's a full production.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Mac Studio/128G RAM into Lynx (n)32 A/D conversion, Shadow Hills Equinox 32 channel summing mixer, Neve Portico II, Stereo Neve 542 Tape Emulation, Console One Mk3 with Faders, Yamaha C7 grand piano, Moog One, Moog Mother 32, Moog DFAM, Prophet Rev 2, Oberheim OB6, Arturia Polybrute, Access Virus Ti2, dual Korg Minilogue XD's, Novation Peak, Erica Syntrx 2, Adam 7's with Adam 8 sub, Focal CMS65, too many software synths and plugins to name.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: George Massenberg, Terry Manning, Mutt Lange
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Produce, play keyboards, mix and master.