Recording and Mix Engineer

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

A: I work in all fields of sound engineering. I work as a recording engineer for Number 9 Audio Group on a vintage Amek Angela board. I freelance as mixing and mastering engineer. I also freelance as a beatmaker and producer. My work changes depending on the interest from clients at that time.

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

A: Hire someone who cares about and likes your music.

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

A: I was born and grew up in County Mayo in the West of Ireland. I shared my bedroom with my brother Stephen growing up. He got a stereo system for his birthday one year and from that day forth I woke up to various albums playing out in my room in the mornings. From Jurassic 5, Cyrpus Hill, NWA to Sonic Youth, Ben Harper, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Rory Gallagher and Jimi Hendrix. Each morning was a new musical experience for me. Soon after I caught the music bug and began playing the drums. After a few years in a band gigging around my area, we broke up. At the time of the band breaking up, my brother had began producing electronic music on Ableton Live. I decided to open up the software one day when I was bored and the rest is history. I became addicted to producing music. All types of genres. As the years of producing music rolled in, I became more and more interested in mixing and mastering. The smallest of details in a mix/master can change the dynamic of a song and this really intrigued me. I enrolled in Pulse College (Audio Music and Technology) and began to learn more about my trade. My love of music led to me co-founding a record label called “Clockwork” which I have been running for over 4 years now. We have had various Hip Hop releases over the years and I yearned for professional sounding releases that could compete with the big names in the music industry. I offered my mastering skills to the various artists and label owners I met over the years and completely immersed myself in mastering music. After that, I moved to Toronto to further my learning and really concentrate on bringing my skills to the next level. After a few months, I was employed as a Junior Recording engineer at number 9 audio where I continue to advance my skills in recording, mixing and mastering. After years of working on various projects, singles, EPs and Albums, I decided to start this freelancing business. This way, I get to work in the industry I love, helping people achieve the sound they want and the goals they set. 

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Jazzy and soulful hard-hitting beats.

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

A: Kendrick Lamar. So I could see how a lyrical genius works in person.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Learn about mid side EQ. It changes the game.

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

A: Hip Hop music. Modern trap style music but also old school style boom bap music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing down songs. I'm very creative when it comes to mixing down songs, especially vocals. A lot of my vocal mixing has been inspired by MixedbyAli (Kendrick Lamars engineer). Similar to him, I enjoy automating vocals effects during breakdowns and particular words and phrases. This can be automated panning, phasing or chorusing.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: https://number9.ca/recording-studio/#overview

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

A: J Dilla, Madlib, Kendrick Lamar, D'angelo, J.I.D, J. Cole, A Tribe Called Quest, Kaytranada, Anderson .Paak, Jimi Hendrix, Flying Lotus, Redman.