Mixing and Mastering Engineer

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Rupert Neve Console, LA2A, GM EQ, 1176 compressors, DBX, Pro Tools, Logic, TC- Helicon Voicelive 3, Bass and Electric Guitar, Piano, Keys, Drum set.

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

A: Im satisfied with every project I work on. If i'm not proud of the work, I keep working until I am. Whatever it takes.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Muncie, Indiana

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

A: Daniel Luttrell

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog because each piece of analog equipment has its own unique characteristic when sound is passed through it that simply can't be accomplished through digital. It can be close but there would be tons of plugins needed just to get that one sound verses just sending it through the analog. However, digital does some pretty amazing things. Both are good at the same time if you have access to both.

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

A: I promise to deliver quality results.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that no matter how long I've been doing it, there will always be something to accomplish or something new because that's how broad music is.

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

A: Do you know anyone who's willing to master for pay? My answer: Me of course!

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

A: The biggest misconception about what I do is that many people think i'm some want to be rapper to just makes beats in his basement. It's actually hilarious because I consider myself industry overqualified in many areas because of what I can do and what I've learned professionally from other professionals. Not to mention my accomplishments over time. (not to toot my own horn)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of music do you like? Is there an artist or song in particular you want your music to sound like? What are your goals? How can I help you achieve those goals? What are the specifics that you need from me? What is your deadline?

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

A: I would say try to know what you want, and have everything extremely organized in a folder so that the process is easiest for both of us. As far as personal advice, if you really love what you do, keep going because it will work out at some point if it hasn't already.

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

A: A drum set, a guitar, bass guitar, a synth, and a Sax. Only because I can learn all those instruments and be a complete monster at analog production and recording.

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

A: I started off as a drummer in middle school, and when I hit the seventh grade in 2007 i picked up FL Studio. As the years went by I had the luxury of being in a top 10 high school band in the nation so I was educated on music at a high level. After graduating I still made beats but had no intention on it being more than that. However I decided to go to college to learn something I already had a head start on. So I attended the Music Media Production program at Ball State University and have one more year before I complete my Bachelors. Im 25 years old now.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is definitely Pop/Hip Hop. I also play drums so I love making sure the drums sound amazing on the tracks. I'm very creative, so I have a very unique sound, but in a good way.

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

A: Any artist at Columbia as I would like to be apart of Columbia one day.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The best tip I would offer is make sure your mixes aren't clipping when producing. Try to keep the mix as clear as possible as you go. Take your time, and most importantly have fun. Find out how to use as many different tools as possible, and the science behind how they work making it easier to accomplish your music goals.

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

A: I work on pop and hip hop music the most, however I just as good with other genres as I have dozens of completed files from many different genres.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is recording.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring clarity, stability, resolution, warmth, brightness, and high quality to a song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start with the stems, map them across the Console, and start with levels. Then I listen for the parts that stick out the most and make adjustments. I bring out the best sounding part of each sound course and and EQ them to get a great balance in the mix. Then I add compression, and FX. I use different plugins and gear that appropriate for the mix. I always make sure the mix is at -23 LUFS. After I get a good mix, I work on the wav track for mastering, and once i'm done, I bounce the project anywhere from -22LUFS to -10LUFS depending on the platform the music is going to.

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

A: There are so many music professionals that inspire me, however ones that inspire me the most are musicians like Marshmello, Skrillex, Diplo, Timbaland, Pharell, Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, Calvin Harris, SG Lewis, Logic, Sia, Etc. and old school artist like the Gap Band, Earth Wind and Fire, S.O.S Band, Loose Ends and the list goes on. Theres just way too many artist that i'm inspired by to go on this list.

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

A: The Most common work i do for my clients are Recordning, Mixing, and Mastering.