Mike Oz on SoundBetter

I've been producing, mixing and mastering for over 25 years. I own only CLASS A recording and mixing gear: from a Museum Edition Telefunken U47 AE, the Retro Instruments, Chandler Mixer/CurveBender/Zener, Api 2500, UBK Fatso/Clariphonic and much, much more! Stunning quality...fair prices!

Hi! I'm Mike Oz, and I've been a producer, mixing and mastering engineer for over 25 years! I'm also a singer, vocal coach, songwriter and arranger...but most of all, I know what it means to be the client because I still am one! I've worked with the likes of Dean Jarvis (Nelly Furtado) to Gavin Brown (Three Days Grace). I've produced and mixed/mastered every genre known to man: from Heavy Rock to Country/Bluegrass and EDM to Classical. I use a hybrid studio with Class A analog equipment found only in the best studios around the World.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Credits

7 Reviews

Endorse Mike Oz

by Jeannot Boudreau
Mike is always a pleasure to work with. He's incredibly efficient at mixing and has a great ear. He also listens to the customer's point of view instead of doing what HE thinks is best. He takes the time to explain things and is a wonderful teacher. Also, MiniMoog!
by Yves T
Mike is an amazing producer/sound engineer/musician. He's got all the gear and is passionate about what he does. I would recommend him for any project big or small
by Michal Bandac
Mike Oz is one of the most refreshing and ethusiastic coproducers/engineers I have ever worked with. Ever. "Tender Loving Care" would be the my favourite way to describe his approach. He makes you feel like he would rather be nowhere else, doing nothing else, with anyone else. (And if you happen to be in the EXTREMELY-catchy-hooks-dept., you need look no further - he will juice your vision for all it´s worth...and more!)
by Corey Chen
My first ever time recording in a professional recording studio was with Mike. He's obviously got really gear at his disposal. But I think what really makes Mike great is how passionate he is about the music. No matter what kind of song you give him, he tried his absolute best to make it sound the best it can be. If you were set to make the best album you will ever make, Mike is your guy.
by Nicholas
Great guy! Great gear! Awesome sounding tracks!
by Marc LeBlanc
Mike is a very talented, intuitive, fast working, efficient, musician, producer, mixing/mastering engineer and uses top of the line new and classic gear. Top quality musical output for a very affordable price for what he offers as a package. Best bang for your musical buck!
by Seventh Sam
Super guy to work with, exceptional musical instincts, extensive knowledge and experience, high-end industry standard equipment and very reasonable prices. Highly recommended!

Interview with Mike Oz

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The Sculptures of Sound album with Gavin Brown took over a year to complete, but is one of the best rock albums out in the last 10 years in my opinion.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: a LP with Cameron Molloy, Vocals with The Motorleague, an EP with Ryan Mazzerole and working with 2 students
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: David Mohacsi
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Mostly 80% Analog for the warmth and colour, but some subtractive linear EQ to transparently fix problems.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will follow your suggestions and make you proud to publish your music!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Taking a client's idea and turning it into reality...sometimes even better than they could have imagined!
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How do you get my tracks to sound so amazing? 25+years experience and the best gear in the business at my disposal.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I can read minds...please, the more you describe the song or album you are looking to put out, the closer we might get to that vision.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What the song is about, what songs is it going to sit next to on an album, what kind of textures they are looking for (smooth vs aggressive), what artist or published song might come close to their vision...and more...
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make sure you are as specific with musical references of songs or albums you would like YOURS to sound like.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Chandler Curve Bender, Chandler Zener, Telefunken U 47, Dynaudio BM15A, API 2500
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Hi! I'm Mike Oz, and I've been a producer, mixing and mastering engineer for over 25 years! I'm also a singer, vocal coach, songwriter and arranger...but most of all, I know what it means to be the client because I still am one! I've operated 5 studios from Rome, Italy to Toronto, Canada
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Smooth and polished to aggressive and in-your-face!
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Tool as they are quite complex and produced by Sylvia Massy, but also John Mayer for that real polished acoustic vibe I'm known for.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Keep ALL your gain staging at -18db and you can thank me later!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock, Country, Electronic
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Translating the client's vision to a finished product.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: As a singer/songwriter in my own right, I tend to produce, mix and master from a client's perspective. I work FOR THE SONG...because as a client, that's what I expect. I really listen to what the client's suggestions are. At StudioZ, my motto is that WE BUILD IT TOGETHER!
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I clean up mixes in linear eq (no phasing) then add warmth with analog outboard and mix through the Chandler (Abbey Road) Mixer. Mastering is done mostly in analog outboard, unless there are some repairs, then they are done transparently in digital.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I own only CLASS A recording and mixing gear: from a Museum Edition Telefunken U47 AE, the Retro Instruments, Chandler Mixer/CurveBender/Zener, Api 2500, UBK Fatso/Clariphonic...I have extended FX (Moog, Lexicon, Demeter, Eventide), Pro Tools 2018, Logic X, Cubase 9.5, Ableton 10
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Chris Lord Alge, Phil Anderson, Sylvia Massy, Manny Marroquin, Gavin Brown, Three Days Grace, John Mayer, Deadmau5,
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I produce, mix and master songs. I also arrange and hire session musicians to play on my clients' tracks.