Producer, Mixer, Studio

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

A: Zach Allen

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Waking up everyday, turning knobs, using my ears, and seeing smiles on faces when something magical happens in the studio.

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

A: Do you play an instrument? Yes, I play guitar, piano, and drums. I'm a multi-instrumentalist. I play most of the instruments on my productions, along with hiring A-List musicians.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How can I serve you today? What do you expect from me as your producer or mixer?

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Music Production & Mixing

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: World-class arranging, producing, and engineering. I try to find the emotion and setting behind a song. Music is like a painting to me. Every person will see or feel something different in a piece of art. Music is the same way. Find what makes it shine, and bring it out. I carve and sculpt until it's just right.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am a cross between digital and analog. Pro Tools (latest version, UAD compressors, retro 176, Neve 1073, Neumann microphones, UAD and Grace Converters. Focal Monitors, and Dolby Atmos Emersive. I use a ton of plugins. To many to mention. I've tried everything. I tend to gravitate towards UAD, Waves, and Plugin Alliance.

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

A: I am inspired by anyone that has a passion and works hard everyday at their craft.

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

A: To provide world-class sound, musicianship, inspiration, and guidance throughout the entire music-making process.

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

A: I often get people that think they can't afford me because of the budgets on this site. I will work with my clients on pricing and figure out something that works for everyone.

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

A: I came from a very musical family. My father performed with Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban and more. My grandfather and Uncle Don were jazz musicians who worked with Count Basie and other various big band leaders. I did go to technical school to learn mixing and engineering. As well, as some formal education in music theory. I am primarily self taught, and learned from years of listening to music. 15+ years of experience.

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

A: I worked on recording a dozen recording artists and doing covers of classic songs for The Voice video game. It was great working with different singers everday, and re-uniting with their producers and vocal coaches to create a custom music package for International Game Technology's game. We worked directly with NBC on approving each rendition of the song(s).

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Music for singer/songwriters and independent artists all over Nashville. Also, a few big video game releases featuring a dozen or more of my scores.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because you can do everything in digital recording these days. There are some amazing plugins out on the market. I can do things with plugins that I can't do with my analog hardware. Analog hardware tends to do "its thing" really well. But plugins are reckless, and you can recall your settings better than ever!

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

A: Be honest with your music and be realistic about your career path.

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

A: A microphone, a guitar, a small field recorder, a notepad, and a pencil.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Dynamic, emotional, and commercial.

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

A: Hanz Zimmer. He's not only a genius composer, but the world's best music producer. He understands emotion to it's highest capacity. He does score cinematic scenes, that might have something to do with that.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Limit your palette. There are so many music making tools on the market. Learn what you have really well and use it. Don't get bogged down by technology. The computer doesn't make decisions for you. You tell the computer what to do.

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

A: Country artists, singer songwriter, and film scores.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: 9-6. Do what's best for the song and client. Be creative, emotional, musical, and know when somethings done. Be a good decision maker.

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

A: I help world-class songwriters and artists record their music from a worktape to a professional production. I also write soundtrack music for films, video games, and more!