Mertkan Özkan on SoundBetter

Lets reflect all your emotions to the song!

*** 1 million+ streams on Spotify! ****

I have been playing guitars, bass, synthesizer, piano and drums for over 15 years. So I have developed quite a hearing. Above all of my personal skills, I am a sensual artist who likes to reflect your emotions on the song. Because its all about the emotions, whether if it is a tender feeling, or a solid punchy agression.

I have active collaborations with the biggest record labels like Sony Music and many more in my country.

I am running a studio which I do recording sessions, hybrid mixing and mastering. I got analog preamps, EQ and compression, which are pretty fundemantal for any mix. And I have got UAD premium plug-in series to meet any kind of need at a professional scale.

You can check my Spotify profile below.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6PY0jfDNXGvg6uqSSJ0sZh?si=xDsHWOhQSQitGNn2mvp4VQ

I am new here, so I would like to give you special pricing to show you what I am capable of :)

Stay with music!
Cheers,

Mertkan

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Languages

English
Turkish

8 Reviews

Endorse Mertkan Özkan

by Camilo Silva F Mastering
Verified (Client)
It's been a pleasure! An amazing track, and a super nice guy. 5/5 100% recommended! Thank you, Mertkan. I'll see you on the next one!
by Alex Hoeffken
Verified (Client)
Amazing production with Mertkan. I recorded drums & perc on 7 versatile songs of him and had a ton of fun!
by Alex Hoeffken
Verified (Client)
Another great production with Mertkan. I love to record drums to inspiring songs by creative and open minded people. My pleasure.
by Maxim
Verified
Good mixer, perfect for lo-fi genres, particularly post-punk!
by Alex Hoeffken
Verified (Client)
I had a great time recording drums for Mertkan. He wrote a great song, knows what he wants and communicated clearly which made it easy for me to work on his vision. Would love to make more music with him in the future. Highly recommended.
by Alex Hoeffken
Verified (Client)
Loved working on Mertkan's song. The track has such a great vibe and Mertkan gave just the right directions for me to play on it. Clear and appreciative communication, highly recommended!
by legatomastering.pl
Verified (Client)
Mertkan is a brilliant singer and musician and we both had a lot of fun working on his song. He has a clear vision what he wants to achieve. Recommended !
by Nate Barnes
Verified (Client)
Great experience working with Mertkan- awesome material and a great communicator, highly recommended!

Interview with Mertkan Özkan

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: It was my first single project. I was doing a collaborative work with a disaster mixing engineer. I thought we are failing but I never gave up on myself. Even if I had strict deadlines, took the whole responsibility. I have managed to overcome the obstacles nicely. Then made a huge difference on the mix. Even mastering engineer couldn't believe the updated mix. You can't live without listening to your heart. Well, I can't :)
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am working on a 3 song EP to an emerging band, as a producer and mixing engineer. Also working on my new project
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Alex Hoeffken for drums!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: It depends. For recording purposes, analog preamps and compressors are absolute winners without a doubt. For mixing purposes digital equipment is really useful. Digital is not what it used to be. There are some serious companies that makes golden digital gears. And there is great simplicity in utilizing digital gear. You can easily modify the whole channel strip with just a few clicks.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: SOUNDBETTER :)
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I am being a part of an artistic act. I am touching somebody's dream and soul.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: They are generally in love with the demo version of their song. So they ask if I can make it sound more like the demo version. I am giving them a couple of days to rest their hearing and listen to mix afterwards. 90% of the time my clients are preferring the newer version.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: People mostly think mixing is just a constant process. They think if you know the theory, you can do it properly. But it has a soul, it has a huge artistic part and it needs a great hearing. Not all mixing engineers are capable of combining those skill set.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What bands are you listening to? What kind of sound are you going after? What is your number 1 and 2 element on your song?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: It is all OK if you know what you want.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Analog Gear: RME Babyface PRO sound interface, AMS Neve 1073 EQ, Klark Teknik KT2A Compressor, TLA Ivory 5060 Channel Strip (modified) Universal Audio Setalite for UAD plug-in library Kali LP 6 Reference Monitors, Sennheiser HD598 Headphones, Beyerdynamics DT990 Pro Headphones Sonarworks Reference 4 Instruments: Fender 52 Reissue Hot Rod Telecaster Fender Jaguar Bass (Japan), NI Komplete Kontrol A61 Novation Mininova Avantone CV-12 Shure SM-57
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: SSL Fusion Teletronix LA2A Avalon V55 Studer A827 AMS Neve 1073 DPX
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started with playing guitar when i was 12. Then met with the DAW's when I was teenager. I have been working with a variety of famous artists and engineers in my country for more than 5 years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I am reuniting the classical retro flavor with modern sounds.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would like to work with Kevin Parker. Because he can go real crazy with all frequency registers and it still sounds perfect.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Try not to overdo anything you learned recently. Close your eyes and try to imagine what you want to hear. Then go for it!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Alternative Rock
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I am a great communicator. Calibrating my vision to my client's.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Emotion. If it needs to be soft, it will be soft as a pillow. If it needs to go crazy, it will be shouting out loud. 3D imaging, liveness, commercial sound (if needed to be aired on stream platforms) and character.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: First I need to understand what my client needs to hear. After we clarify the style of the mix, I can go for either solid punchy mix or more gentle mix. Although it depends on the project, moslty I start with drums & bass. Then go for other instrumens and vocals.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: English progressive rock bands with huge sound characteristics like Arctic Monkeys, The Last Shadow Puppets, Temples, Foals, and modern synth monsters like Tame Impala, Pond.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I mainly do mixes for alternative rock genre. But I am used to do indie style mixes as well.