Mixing Engineer

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

A: I was mixing a song. Us mixers, will set there for an indefinite period of time, but to have someone trust you with their work and story is one of the highest honors.

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

A: Unfortunately, I’m new here.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Why not both?! We can have the warmth of a multitrack but the workflow of digital in terms of recording and plugins.

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

A: Quality and efficiency.

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

A: “How much?” It’s never a set answer and we can always negotiate.

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

A: I just turn a couple of knobs and then voilá! We have to make sure that the mix is congruent with the lyrical content of the song.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are some of your expectations for the mix? When is the deadline day?

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

A: Headphones Interface Guitar Laptop Midi Controller

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

A: I want to be a mixing engineer. I've been doing this for 3 years.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening. I think that many artists, producers and engineers hear, but don't listen. And there's a huge difference. To listen critically, as we zoom in with our ears, to the attack and release of the sound.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I'd listen to your project, and start making list of roles. Once my list is created it’s very simple to get into the flow.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: As I’m a remote mixing engineer, I have a MacBook, Sennheisers 280 Pro and work on Pro Tools and Studio One as a DAW.

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

A: John Mayer and Jason Isbell. Their production is all natural and if I can achieve what they do on your record, I'd be more than proud!

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

A: Mixing is in my blood but, I’ll lay down acoustic guitar onto songs. Think, Neo Soul, Funk, Folk and Pop - let me handle the 6 strings on your project too!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A Neo Soul album perfect for the mother land (South Africa).

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The joy of knowing that it just makes me happy every single day!

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

A: No man (or woman) is an island, collaboration is needed.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: L A I D B A C K yet very serious. I can joke around and have a laugh when it's time to do so, but when I work, I work.

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

A: Jason Isbell. He is probably the greatest lyricist that his generation has to offer.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Sometimes we can over produce, keep this in mind: a song isn't complete when you can't add anything more, a song is complete when you can't remove anything.

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

A: Neo Soul, Funk, Pop.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Feeling. It's all heart that I pour out onto a production.