Mastering

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

A: How should I send my tracks to be mastered and what sample rate/bit depth should I send for mastering? My answer is please send .wavs files and in whatever sample rate/bit depth the mix session is in!

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

A: That mastering can be done via an online source, like Landr. While I am sometimes impressed by the results these AI mastering services get, it's still best to have a human ear master your songs.

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

A: Rock, pop/rock, reggae rock, punk, rap, indie, folk

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

A: I have 20+ years as a lead/rhythm guitarist and bassist, I've toured all over the USA, and opened for many major acts. I was always into recording, started in 2002 with a Tascam 4 track cassette machine in my garage. I've always loved being in the studio for my music projects through the years, so I took a few courses through Berklee College of Music and began recording/mixing/mastering local NYC bands in 2016. I'm currently pursuing a Master's degree in music technology.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Planning/ pre production is everything. Prepare everything in advance, such as instruments, drum head changes. etc. Get things right at the source and then tracking, mixing, and mastered will come easier.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For mixing and mastering: listening to the track, listening to any reference tracks, evaluating what may need to be done, tweaking the track, taking a break, and then re-listening with fresh ears.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Home studio with AVID Pro Tools, Wavelab, Izotope Ozone, Izotope RX, various plug ins from Waves, Slate, Fab Filter, JBL LSR306 monitors, various guitars, basses and effects pedals as well as midi instruments and plugins

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening for what works best in a song and translating that into my mixes/masters.

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

A: Rancid, Hole, Nirvana, Sublime, Elliott Smith, Machine Gun Kelly, Blink 182, & much more Producers/Engineers: Tom Lord Alge, Sylvia Massy, Nolly

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

A: Laptop, MIDI keyboard, interface, guitar, and sm57 mic.

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

A: Travis Barker- he is influenced by so many genres (hip hop/ punk rock) and it reflects with the artists he works with.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Cover play through videos for YouTube, solo material, and anything I get sent to remote mix or master.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Helping my clients realize their visions.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As far as being a musician, understanding when a song is done, playing for the song, not overproducing, and leaving room for each piece to breathe.

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

A: Mastering music.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always like to know what direction my clients would like a song to go in and usually ask for reference material.