Mixing/Producing/Remixing

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals with these tracks? Do you have any references (as in who do you want it to sound like; a certain song from a certain artist or band)?

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: No matter what gear or set-up you use or can afford, it all comes down to mastering what you have.

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

A: I just did a mix of a live song for a church nearby. I was the mixer/producer. I am proud of it because while I usually work on synth driven material, this had none of that, and it was a live recording. I felt I impressed myself because I didn't know if I could do it or not being outside of my usual type of workload.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Possibly a 10-track live album. Tracks for a 2016 release from electronic/industrial act Candy Berlin. Some other one-off singles in the pop/singer-songwriter genres. Currently getting certified in Mastering.

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

A: Trevor Fedele out of NYC. I only had him do one project for me, but I was very very pleased. Look him up.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: After many years of this ole debate, I concluded that I personally don't care. Times change. Use what you have and do the best you can.

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

A: I will give you what you want.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: It's what I love to do with my life. It also offers a very flexible schedule so I can do many things with my wife and kids.

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

A: I tend to forget that my view of music is different from others. While I am thinking in great detail of arrangement, balance, sonic frequencies, etc., usually the other person is thinking does it just sound great. Usually questions just tend to be about a certain way they want it to sound. It varies.

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

A: I don't work or have a job. I think most people think that about those involved in the arts.

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

A: Check out the sound samples. Ask questions and be up front about your needs.

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

A: Could you really take gear assuming there is no electricity?

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

A: "Born in 1985 south of Birmingham, AL, Channon’s love of electronic synth driven music is the last musical route one would suspect from a southern boy raised on classic rock. With a firestorm passion for music that went from spark to flame in 1998 after hearing a version of David Bowie’s ‘Cat People (Putting Out Fire), he would perform and eventually release his own material under the pseudonym Nikki Phoenix with the band BLACKICE. A decade into the 2000’s saw him move to Orlando and graduate from Full Sail University with an Associate’s in Recording Arts and a Bachelor’s in Music Business followed by further certification from Point Blank’s Electronic Music School in London. Since 2010, Channon has founded indie label White Strings Records, started a new group reminiscent of Depeche Mode and Gary Numan… Candy Berlin, and has gone on to mixing, producing and remixing as a full-time opportunity."

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Synth-ilicious.

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

A: Depeche Mode because I am in this line of business because of their music.

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

A: If a track has a synth in it, then it is up my alley. I love mixing songs that don't too, but from a production and creative standpoint, I lean toward synths.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: OCD and time. They are also my weakest links. I use them to make sure your song(s) are 110% where YOU want them to be and sound. I bring my knowledge to the table and spend more than enough time and critiques to give you exactly what you want... not exactly what I want. These songs are your babies.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Perfection. I spend way too much time trying to get a mix 110% where it should be.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When I begin a project, it involves me disappearing, drinking a lot of coffee and tea, and growing my beard out. Checking the final mix too many times. I like to break a day or two and go back to check it all again. Repeat until happy. Go back to normal life.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I can do the majority of things in Logic Pro X. My external gear is listed above.

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

A: In no order... Depeche Mode; Gary Numan; Brendan O'Brien; Rob Zombie; Trent Reznor; Human League; Ian Anderson; Roger Waters; Rush; too many...

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

A: My #1 focus is mixing. I receive the tracks, and handle all aspects of each song up unto the mastering stage. While I prefer to work with an artist side-by-side from creation to product, mixing also is a remote opportunity for those artists that cannot be here in person.