Recording and Mixing Engineer

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

A: I have served as mixing assistant on records mixed by Collin DuPuis, such as Guster's "Look Alive", Boy & Bear's "Suck On Light", and Ex Hex's "It's Real". I'm very proud of my small role played on those records, and it makes me happy to hear them on the radio when I'm not expecting it. I have many works that have pending release dates that I've played chief engineer on, be it recording, mixing, or both.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on loads of instrumental tracks for purchase, as well as some solo music!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog front end, even tape recording, but ultimately I need to mix digitally. It's so much faster to get what I want accomplished, and the recall is instantaneous.

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

A: I'll make it right no matter what. Ultimately, I want you to love your music and what I've done to help you, so I'll do whatever I can to make it exactly that.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I LOVE creating music, it's my drug, and I feel compelled to create quality music products.

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

A: Honestly, most people want to know how much I cost to work with, and I tell them my flat daily rate. Time is time, and time has to equal money in the capitalist society we live in.

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

A: I think the biggest misconception about producers is that it's easy and that what we ask is too expensive. I've taken many many years to practice my craft and hone my skills, and while I can get things done quickly, sometimes you can't rush quality.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What music inspires you personally? What music inspires your sound? Who do you think should have won a Grammy? What instruments do you want in your song?

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

A: Please just provide me with as much information as possible so we can work together to achieve your goals.

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

A: I would take my Vanguard Audio Labs V13 and a ribbon mic that I designed and built myself, my Universal Audio Apollo Twin (does that count as one piece of gear since it's 2 preamps?), my laptop with my Pro Tools rig, and my favorite guitar, my 1970's Ventura hollowbody with a Bigsby.

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

A: I started recording music in a very basic form when I was in high school in the mid 2000's. I played in bands in high school and college, participated and toured with DCI, and eventually finished my recording degree and started my studio. I've been operating out of my current studio, Magic Square, since 2017.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is quite varied, since I grew up listening to and learning to play so many eclectic styles. Overall, I thrive on an "analog" and "human" style, since I don't strongly edit and make things too perfect.

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

A: The one artist that would be a dream come true to work with would be John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees, Damaged Bug, and Coachwhips. He's always got creativity flowing, and I'd love to capture his sounds and give my best to him and the song.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Capture the source as best as possible! Your microphone is your first instance of EQ and gain structure.

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

A: I work on indie, psychedelic, rock, indie pop, chill vibes, funkadelic, and many more types.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my arrangment/composition capabilities. Half of a great mix is made by a great composition.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring experience and maturity to a song, which helps a lot of artists from cluttering their song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Not all projects are the same, but typically I'll meet with an artist, get on the same page for vision and creative process, then execute.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have an analog front end, equipped with great microphones and pres, fed into a Universal Audio analog to digital conversion. Once converted to digital, I record in Pro Tools, as well as edit and mix. I mix solely "in the box" for recall and quality assurance.

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

A: Producers such as Kevin Parker, Beck, and Brian Eno all inspire me.

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

A: I produce, record, and mix songs for solo artists, as well as mix music created by bands.