Mixing/Recording/Production

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

A: After 40 years...there are, just too many to list. Being able to help a client make a song transform into all that they dreamed of, will always one of my favorite honors. the 1992 Extreme project, "III Sides to Every Story" will always hold a special place in my heart...for it is a master class in what can happen when you start with a band, doing the demos that get them signed, working on a #1 single ("More than Words..." Grammy Nominated and was #1 in 14 countries) but even better? when all of that experience of longtime working relationship with a client can so effortlessly create a work of timeless art. More than anything...Extreme III is a labor of love and passion. Why would i be proud of this? Knowing how many so appreciated every moment of that disc. I engineered, co-produced and mixed the project...

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently just finished a project (mixing/mastering) with Barry Goudreau's Engine Room (formerly of the iconic band "Boston"). My fourth project with them; Completed a new track from Grammy Winning Latin Rock Band "Black Guayaba, "Cielo..." Currently working on ATMOS mixes for longtime clients "Extreme" for June release.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I'm a die-hard analog guy. I learned this art ON analog. However, 22 years ago, as I was sitting in the studio recording an artist, I started to notice a somewhat disturbing trend; the personnel in the studio was: engineer, protools operator, producer, assistant. I started to notice quickly, that unless I learned to use DAWs, I was going to be the odd man out. I learned the system, and never looked back. Yes, I still love my analog gear, but the majority of my work is in the box. One of the things clients most often ask me, is how much of their music was going through the analog equipment. They are shocked when I tell them how little I use the analog equipment. Digital or analog...is more of a choice/discipline than anything else. Everything I do "sounds" analog...because my work flow and choices in plug-ins, are uniquely analog, even if it's in the box.

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

A: I will positively make sure you are 100% delighted and in love with the music we make together. No exceptions.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: To be a part of helping an artist realize their dream...whether it is producing, recording or mixing their music. I feel fortunate to be able to wake up every day and be a part of creating that art together.

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

A: While, in mixing, I can make near anything sound like it was recorded in a recording studio (when it wasn't), I can't create emotion in a performance if you didn't capture it. There is no plug-in for emotion. While, as engineers and/or producers, we aren't the artist...we are facilitators for artists.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always love to know what their musical influences are; to know what kind of music/mixes/styles they are most into...so I can use it as a starting point for our audio relationship. I ask what the songs are about...for these things help me get a visual of the sonic environment/treatment we'll be using on the mix.

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

A: Don't be intimidated by my credits or experience. As I said earlier, I'm only as good as the music we'll make together. Be honest about your music and how you've recorded it...and what your vision is for your music. And I'm always negotiable on price.

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

A: Heiserman H-47 microphone, John Hardy M-1 Preamp, DBX 165 compressor, Avid Protools/Apogee Converters, Genelec Monitors. And a lot of coffee :)

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

A: I bought my first piece of recording equipment (Tascam 80-8 with DBX noise reduction (8 tracks on 1/2" tape) back in 1982. While I am a classically trained musician, the only thing i have ever wanted to do, since I was a child, was work with music as an engineer. 40 years later? I still wake up every day, excited to be a part of the creative process with so many amazing artists.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I am not an engineer/producer who seeks to put his own "style" or "imprint" on your music. As I said earlier, no two songs or artists are alike...and I treat each song as it's own unique entity.

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

A: The artist I really would like to work with? Is YOU. While i have worked with dozens of legendary artists...I am only as good as the music we'll create together. 70% of my clients, are people who have worked with me over 15 years, exclusively.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I would rather have a great performance with an imperfect recording, than a perfect recording of an average performance. Take your time and get the performance you want. While we can do a lot of things with technology, the one thing we CAN'T do, is create a performance with conviction. And also...use the technology. Don't let the technology use your. Don't get wrapped up in a million plug-ins and audio gear.

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

A: I have extensive experience in rock music, rock en espanol, latin christian music, pop music and jazz.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Patience and experience. The often unspoken skill in engineering and production, is getting inside of what the artist's desires are for the song...and how it will sound. All too often, there are engineers who dominate the artist with their OWN vision for a track. But in my eyes? This music is YOUR music, not mine. I am a facilitator for pulling the best out of the song, within the context of the artist's vision. While i work on this music for a few days...the artist will live with it forever. I go above and beyond to make sure they are positively delighted with the music we create together.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: To carefully bring out all of the elements that you have recorded...and work a song's sonic fingerprint in concert with the arrangement...to build dynamics and drama within the mix.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Although I feel most songs dictate their own direction, merely by style and instrumentation, I enjoy talking with the artist and finding out what their inspiration and dreams are for each song. As far as work process? I treat each song as an individual work of art...for no two songs are alike, even on the same project.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My setup is a hybrid Digital/Analog studio. I work both "in the box" and with a large compliment of vintage analog compressors, eq's and reverbs. I am equipped for Stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 monitoring, and have mixed numerous 5.1 releases.

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

A: I get asked this question frequently. My inspiration as an engineer, are Bob Clearmountain, Hugh Padgham, Mike Shipley, Bill Schnee, Al Schmitt. As producers: Tom Dowd, Trevor Horn, Rick Rubin, Mutt Lange.

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

A: I have specialized in mixing for the past 20 years.