RCK Sounds on SoundBetter

I specialize in programming, editing, vocal tuning, and mixing for home studio musicians and full time producers to make their tracks sound the best they possibly can. You worked hard writing and recording it, let me help you get it ready for release.

Hey how's it going? My name is Ryan Kahl I began my audio production career in 2011 after finishing the Audio Production Program at Mesa Community College. My first full time audio job was mixing front of house live sound at Club Red in Tempe, AZ. While working for Club Red I worked with many local, national, and international acts while also producing his friends’ bands on the side with a mobile recording setup. I even had the opportunity to go on tour around the United States mixing live sound for Authority Zero in late 2014

At the end of 2014, I stepped away from working for music venues, with the intention of helping and working for artists and bands get their music out to the world. I opened a studio with my friend from school, Mike Bowen, called B&K Sound Labs in Tempe, AZ. Since then, I has helped produce local artists’ records such as Jason DeVore, LB +The Brothers' Cosmos, Moment of Ruin, Perfect Sense, Interfate, Sluts These Days, and Inept Hero.

Through the years I have developed a reputation of having an attention for detail and helping artists put out polished, punchy, and professional sounding productions. I looks forward to talking and helping you with releasing your music for what ever your end goal is whether its to give to a significant other or in order to continue growing your fan base and careers.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

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Interview with RCK Sounds

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The last project I worked on with Inept Hero was entered into a radio contest for local bands and won. I co-wrote, produced, edited, and mixed this song.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am currently producing Interfate's next album and also working on new mixes everyday for return and new clients.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not yet.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital, for quick and easy recall. Analog costs a lot of money to acquire and maintain for something that does not have a direct return on investment (ROI). Digital software can sound just as good, and you can have an unlimited amount of use out of the plugin in a session.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: You do not pay unless you are happy with your product. If I can't get it right within 5 revisions then I will not take offense taking your project elsewhere.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The art of music is great when collaborating with others. Having an opportunity to be part of that process with my clients is my favorite part of the job.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How long does it take you to [fill in the blank with service]? It depends on how well it was recorded and how many tracks there are.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: People tend to think that if they download and use the same software and equipment that their favorite person uses they will sound just like them. It takes years of practice to develop your own sound and typically when you get to that point you do not need specific gear to make your sound come to life.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are your goals for the project?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make sure to talk to a few of us to find the right fit. We all have our own styles so picking the right one to fit your sonic vision is important.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My Macbook Pro, Pro Tools, Melodyne, Waves, and Sennheiser HD650
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: 10 years professionally. I started school for audio production in 2010. I graduated in late 2011 and started working at local music venues doing live sound. I then toured in 2014 around the United States doing live sound. After touring I stepped back from working for music venues to work for bands directly doing their studio and live sound mixing.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I like punchy drums, upfront/in your face vocals, and wide sounding instruments.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would absolutely love to mix a Thrice record.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: It's about the ear not the gear. If it sounds good it is good.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock, Metal, Hip Hop, Punk, Country, Pop
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Mixing music is my strongest skill, I have been doing it for live concerts and in the studio for over 10 years.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I make drums sound punchy and larger than life. I make sure vocals are always upfront to understand every word being said along with being placing in the right sonic atmosphere with delays, reverbs and other effects. Finally I make sure the supporting instruments are placed not only left to right in the sonic soundscape but front to back. Having a 3D sounding mix is what I am always striving for.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I download the ZIP folder containing all the stems that need to be edited or mixed then load them into my DAW template for the service I am hired to do. I then rename, organize, color code, and route all the tracks for quick locating while editing or mixing. If needed I will then go through and add MIDI notes for the shells of the drums for quick triggering and also re amp any guitar DI tracks. Once these session is prepped I do a quick balance of the tracks and listen for opportunities to emphasize and reduce sonic characteristics of the tracks. Once I have a good sounding product I will sleep on it and give it a quick listen in the morning. If it passes then I will send it off to the client for revision notes.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I run Pro Tools on a 2018 15" Macbook Pro with a 2.9 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i9 processor and 32 GB of ram, plenty of power for large sessions with virtual instruments. I am completely inside the box with no analog gear, which makes recalls and revisions quick and easy. I have Slate and Waves plug ins along with amp sim softwares and software instrument packs from Native Instruments.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Adam "Nolly" Getgood, Beau Burchell, and Joey Sturgis.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I edit and mix music for home studio musicians and full time producers.

"Pharmacophobia" by Inept Hero

I was the Producer and Mixing Engineer in this production

Mixing EngineerAverage price - $250 per song
Programmed drumAverage price - $50 per song
EditingAverage price - $20 per track
Time alignment - QuantizingAverage price - $20 per track
Vocal TuningAverage price - $20 per track
Podcast Editing & MasteringAverage price - $100 per podcast

Up to five (5) revisions on all services. You will receive wav files back in your sessions sample rate and bit depth. Mixes include a mastered version and a non-master to send to a mastering engineer.