James Page on SoundBetter

Recording, Mixing & Mastering music since 2014. 500+ songs released on major platforms.

James Page is an audio engineer / indie producer with credits by Dave Keuning, Michael Hampton, Lige Curry, Aviator Stash & Double Great.

"Working with artists to bring their creative vision into reality is the best job in the world and I'd do it even if capitalism and currency disappeared from the equation. The music industry (much like every other industry) is going through a difficult and ever-morphing transition as we attempt to adapt to new technologies, but sound and music will always be necessary ingredients in the magic of translating 'feeling' into 'understanding' - be it for personal enjoyment, commercial entertainment, or otherwise.

Being given the power of influence over someone's creative goals is a very personal and uniquely human gift. While my main goal is to help artists express their vision as they see it, I often find collaboration leads to the best outcome when mutual creativity can be achieved and something new can be synthesized using the talents of many."

James has spent the past decade building, maintaining, and working as an independent audio engineer/producer in a home-built professional recording studio designed from scratch to help artists and musicians do what they do best: create, refine, and release meaningful works into the world.

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Credits

4 Reviews

Endorse James Page

by Alexander E Bravo
James Page is the best kept secret in San Diego for music and content creators alike! His recording space is awesome, knows exactly what his strengths are for each project, and is incredibly determined to meet a project's vision and goals. He is also extremely adept at working ProTools, finding the right spots for mic sounds, and never runs out of good ideas to try out. You may not notice, but he's also a very skilled guitar player! Above all else, he's incredibly down-to-earth and a joy to work with. Could not recommend more highly.
by Dylan K
Have recorded with James since 2017 on about a dozen albums for various projects in that time. James is great to work with on all fronts. Great communicator, super accommodating with both his time and his willingness to help mold the music and recordings to the visions of the me and my bandmates and musicians. Super knowledgeable about recording and production techniques, and incredibly patient! Very easy to work with and understanding and with a great attitude. Have a number of other projects in the works with James at present and plan to work with him on many more in the future!
by Sal
I have worked with James for years and he has always done fantastic work, he’s got an amazing, state of the art facility, he’s super easy to work with and I will be working with him in the future.
by GK
I’ve been working with Mr Page since 2016 for my project Aviator Stash. Couldn’t be happier with the experience and the quality of every release. James is very understanding and an easy producer / engineer to work with.

Interview with James Page

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Mike Butler is an excellent engineer and I try to make it out to his monthly showcases as often as possible. Also, if you're looking for a killer country guitar player/producer - he's your guy.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: While I understand peoples' desire to keep recording to tape for reasons sonically and artistically; I'm in favor of digital when it comes to creativity in general and being able to manipulate something both quickly and easily. Being efficient with time and the ability to quickly send clients updates doesn't hurt either...
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I want to help you make the best possible version of the record you hear in your head. Whether that goal is reached by using an itemized list of influences and ideas from the artist or mutual production collaboration; my job is to help elevate your song to its maximum potential.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started working right after finishing an audio engineering course back in 2013 and I've been working out of my home-built studio ever since. I was fortunate enough to work with the secretive and elusive (but very active) San Diego music scene and scrape by doing what I loved. I wouldn't know what else to do even if capitalism died tomorrow and we no longer needed to work for currency.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Like many children of the '90s and early 2000s - I grew up listening to my parents' music (Santana, Led Zepplin, ACDC...) but the indie music scene of the 2000s - 2010s (Grizzly Bear, The Dodos, Ty Segall, Pinback) probably imprinted on me the most in terms of style and influence when it comes to projects where I'm asked to produce.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Experiencing someone else's creativity and being asked to help mold and shape it into what they dream it to be. Audio Engineering in today's world is a very unique job that requires as much social prowess as it does technical knowledge. Every client is unique in both creativity style and personality type(s). Chatting with clients and getting to hear and or exchange stories is one of my favorite aspects of the job.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: My clients vary from genre-blind Indie Rock to Heavy Doom Metal. I also have much experience working with complex progressive/avant-garde music - I'm a big fan of variance and genre-blending/bending.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Understanding and Adaptation.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Whatever it needs to help create the artists' vision. Some artists know what they want and my job is to grant that wish for them. Others want to share ideas and see what I can impart to their song and I'm always happy to contribute ideas their music inspires me to think of.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Detailed Organization > Listening and Analysis > General Mixing Pass > Creative Mixing Pass
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Steve Albini, Ty Segall, Mac Demarco, Daniel Rossen, Rob Crow
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Professional Studio built into converted house space. Isolated and professionally treated iso booth, live, and control rooms. Pro Tools, Burl Audio Mothership I/O
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Recording, Mixing, and Mastering

Double Great - Situs Inversus

I was the recording, mixing, and mastering engineer in this production

Mixing EngineerAverage price - $600 per song
Recording StudioAverage price - $500 per day
Mastering EngineerAverage price - $70 per song
EditingContact for pricing
Vocal TuningAverage price - $50 per track
Podcast Editing & MasteringAverage price - $100 per podcast
Post EditingContact for pricing

Mixing: 50% deposit of estimate/invoice - 3 Revisions Per Song
Mastering: 50% deposit of estimate/invoice - 2 Revisions Per Song
Please send references as well as any notes or ideas you may have