Mixing and Recording Engineer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Hopefully your next song or album!

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

A: Probably that everything needs to sound the same. We all need to try to be a little more unique and willing to think and hear outside the box

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't lose track of the goal, which in my book is to enhance the SONG. Tricks and gimmicks are cool, but it needs to be about enhancing what's already there and get it to make you feel and move! (Physically and emotionally)

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Knowledge of modern pop radio mixes and productions as an engineer with a background as a musician.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I work hard to serve the music. What we do as mixers can be fun and nerdy, but at the end of the day it has to be about the song and/or the singer. I pride myself on enhancing the performance of the artist or band. My goal is to get a song to really make you move, and get all of the emotion within it to shine through to the listener.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: When I'm not recording in one of Nashville's many amazing studios, I'm generally mixing and editing from my own studio space that I've built into my home. The balance of working in studios vs working from home is really nice! I've got a small vocal booth, but mainly mix and utilize a combination of ITB and Analog gear.

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

A: Sure! Darrell Thorp. That guy is insane good.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. One's not better than the other, just different. I'm experienced with both worlds- being a tracking engineer working with bands that play instruments live on the floor, and also a modern mixer where digital work flow allows us all to work and recall quickly and easily.

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

A: I'll care about the work I'm doing for you. I'll be 100% invested in your art.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that I get to do what I love. It's different every day which keeps things fresh. Also, you're never done learning. I like the thought that in 20 years I'll still be trying to get better at what I do and changing with the industry and technology.

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

A: Q: Does the snare need to come up a bit? A: Probably not.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals for the project? Budget? Most recent favorite records?

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

A: Have your ducks in a row! Make sure you're ready to roll. Be happy with the arrangements and have a session organized and ready for mix. While I'm happy to try a few arrangement changes during the mix process, if it gets out of hand it can really bring a project to its knees. Then it becomes really easy to lose perspective.

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

A: I grew up playing drums and dabbling with guitar. Eventually I decided I wanted to have a career in the music industry, so after studying at Berklee College of Music, I moved to Nashville and began working at Sound Emporium Studios. After several years navigating the industry, I've been fortunate enough to work on Grammy nominated and winning records, and learn from some of the industry's greatest minds. I now focus on recording and mixing while calling Sound Emporium my home base.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Musical

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

A: John Mayer. Because he's John Mayer.

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

A: Country, pop, rock

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing for the song and performance, not the world's greatest kick drum sound...

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

A: Darrell Thorp, Justin Niebank, Dave Cobb, Dann Huff, Serben Ghenea

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

A: Recording and Mixing