Mix Engineer

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

A: 1. Good monitors. If you cannot hear what you’re mixing then you are doomed from the start. It’s important to hear an accurate representation of the sound so that you can make decisions with confidence. 2. A reliable computer with a DAW installed (I like Pro Tools) 3. Decent headphones to check mixes through. The majority of people listening to your music will not be listening on expensive speakers in an acoustically treated room. More likely, they’ll be listening on a pair of headphones, in their car, or out of their laptop speakers. It’s crucial to check a mix sounds great over any medium. 4. My analogue tape-echo box. It just sounds incredibly authentic, and no delay plug in matches it! 5. A Prophet-6 polyphonic synthesiser would make being on a desert island much more bearable.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Expression-centric. Ultimately, it’s my job to make recordings sound better than they did before, and my approach is to enhance the musicality that is already present in the production.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The way that music is presented informs the way it is interpreted. I find that the arrangement of a track is a crucial part of the overall sound and feel of your music, so take the time to experiment and find what works best for your song!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Creative problem-solving: Mixing can often involve creative problem-solving, as you work to achieve the desired sound for a mix while also considering the limitations of the recording and the desired direction of the artist or client. Collaborating with artists and other engineers/producers: It's great to have the opportunities to work with a wide range of people, contribute to the creative process, and be trusted with their work. Exploring new techniques and technologies: Mixing is an ever-evolving field, and I find it exciting stay up-to-date on new techniques and technologies, and to experiment with different approaches to mixing. Hearing the final result: Mixing can be a long and detailed process, but one of the most satisfying aspects of the job is hearing the final result.

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

A: In 2014 I began a music technology university degree, later moving to to Liverpool to intern at Parr Street Studios. There, I learned the skills needed to record, mix, produce, and master music to a professional standard under the guidance of MPG-nominated engineers and producers. After gaining my first degree, I couldn't help but go for another degree to refine my skills and bolster my audio production knowledge and abilities—a master's in music production. Since graduating, I've been mixing and recording in recording studios, on-location and remotely. Now, with all of this training and experience, I am ready to mix your music to the highest quality.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When working on a project, I typically begin by receiving and organising the individual tracks of a recording. I then set up my digital audio workstation (DAW) and begin balancing the mix by adjusting the levels of each track. From there, I use EQ and other audio processing techniques to shape the sound of each track and make it fit well with the rest of the mix. As I work, I may make further adjustments and revisions based on feedback from the client or the production team. Once the mix is completed to their satisfaction, I finalise the mix and deliver it in the requested format. It's important to note that this is just a general outline of my work process, and the specific steps can often vary depending on the project and the needs of the client!

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

A: As a mix engineer, I am responsible for combining individual tracks into a cohesive final mix, adjusting levels, panning, EQ, and other audio processing, and adding effects such as reverb or compression. The goal is to achieve the desired sound for the final mix, ensuring it is ready for release.