Creative Lively Dynamic Mixing

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

A: I worked with tv star Dash Mihok on his Diz and the Fam project. I brought in musical director Morris Hayes from Prince as well as American Idols Elliott Yamin and Mikalah Gordon. I proceeded to work with Morris Hayes on a few productions that to this day are my most memorable moments. What a legend!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently I'm finishing my own instrumental EP and working with an artist on remixes and new productions in the groove, rock, funk, soul world with some R&B/pop sprinkled in.

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

A: Shaley Scott is a phenomenal singer and writer. She has been working in the industry for over a decade and is a true professional. Shaley also happens to be very easy to work with, is extremely talented and has humor for days.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! Analog for true grit and warmth. Digital for further synergy and sound destruction. Morphing sounds and creating a unique vibe that represents who you are uniquely as an artist is the goal. Analog and digital together give the most creative possibilities.

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

A: You will not be unhappy. We may take a different journey than we initially envisioned but we will not stop until you're happy.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Starting with complete silence and finishing with a completed song/production.

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

A: "I wanna sound like so and so, can you do that?" The answer is "we'll do our best"! I'm open to anything and I believe most artists are capable of more than they think they are - they just need to be in the right environment to thrive beyond their own expectations. However, there are so many intangibles that go into a sound, especially a vocal, so my real answer is "let's figure out what YOUR unique voice is and let's unleash it!" The only true way to stand out is to be uniquely YOU and original.

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

A: "Fix it in the mix". Most issues people think can just be taken care of in the mix stage are production issues that have to be revisiting in the production stage FIRST, then brought back to the mix stage once they have been addressed.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you need? What do you WANT? If you don't know these answers then what is it that you like? What moves you, what is your passion? How do you envision your process? What excites you what makes you not be able to wait to get back to singing/writing/playing?

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

A: Our job as creators is to make you happy! Don't waste time with someone who puts themselves above the client and above music, making it all about them. Some people have hits and major credentials under their belt yet even these talented individuals have one purpose - to create the best music possible and make the client happy.

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

A: A guitar, a ipad, a mic, a synth and a speaker!

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

A: I began playing studio guitar professionally in Los Angeles seventeen years ago. My first session was for jazz legend Joe Sample and really set the stage for my focus and approach. Roughly fifteen years ago I began recording/engineering and mixing as a way to create my own music and help friends as studio time was very expensive. After a few years my skills had improved and I started producing and mixing music for local artists. As my skills expanded and were honed I continued to work on different styles and with numerous types of artists.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm a very polished and precise rock/pop musician. I love huge impactful nasty sounds that conjure feelings of attitude and energy. There's a fine line between energy and aggression so I'm living right in the gray area. Even clean beautiful music can be huge and impactful. This is a paradigm and not just an approach.

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

A: I would love to work with Christina Aguilera. She has so much power and potential but I feel no producer has pushed the rock edge within her. I'd love to get her right on the edge of her vocal comfort zone (if that even exists!) and push her right through it. Would be incredible for all of us to hear what would result!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Start simple and fill all the sonic spaces. Sound is not just one or two dimensional. A production and a mix need to be seen and heard with height, depth, width and are living organisms that change over the course of a song.

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

A: Rock, funk, Hip Hop, EDM, metal, Pop, indie and soundtrack music are the styles I work with most but am open to creating in other styles as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Hands down guitar is my focus and prominent talent with mixing a close second. I have been studying music and playing guitar since I was nine years old.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: When creating music or designing a mix strategy I focus on bringing an organic yet slightly futuristic aspect to the sound, part or production. By this I mean something people haven't heard but doesn't necessarily stand out as trying to be obvious. Subtlety is key and balancing classic techniques with modern tools and approaches is my comfort zone. In terms of guitar I bring a true Sunset Strip rock approach similar how Slash affects the musical parts and song around him. Today many players are focused on tapping, fusion and elevating the shred techniques of the 80s. I am focused on melody and moving the listener. Goosebumps are the ultimate proof I'm doing my job!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: While developing my work flow I specifically worked in many different ways so that I could adapt to whoever I'm working with. Some people enjoy being completely rehearsed and prepared before entering the studio and some people need the spontaneity of being in the moment. No matter your approach I am comfortable and can thrive as a producer this way because my strength is finding positivity and creativity in the moment, especially when there's a block.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Great tracks and songs start with high-quality, clean tracking. Microphones ranging from the Manley Reference Mic and AKG 414 to the Slate VMS System give vocalists endless frequency response options to be as comfortable as possible when tracking vocals. In the guitar department I use numerous different amps and speaker cabinet Impulse Responses to tailor precise guitar tones that make any virtual amp or plugin obsolete. Lastly, artists and musicians can document their process with professional LED photography/video lights and a 4K video/HD photo area. Whether you want a high-quality shot or BTS video for social media both are easily done. The vibe of the studio is changed and controlled by colorful LED lighting that sets the stage for any mood and character.

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

A: Electronic production and sound design really blow me away! For all the years I've been doing this my jaw still drops when I watch the really good engineers work their magic. Conversely but also jaw-dropping are the old-school engineers truly manipulating analog gear to shape the sound they desire.

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

A: Studio guitar work (acoustic and electric) is my forte as well as mixing. Therefore I find myself doing these two most followed by production and songwriting close behind.