Mixing & Mastering

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

A: I'm especially proud of my work on Frankie J's 2014 release "Faith, Hope, y Amor." I produced four songs and did eight mixes on this record. One of the tracks I produced was written by legendary songwriter Diane Warren. This album received a Grammy-nomination for best Latin Pop Album.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working with my team The Artizonals on tracks for Mexican La Voz star Jass Reyes.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Mickey Shiloh! My production team The Artizonals just released "Insomniac (feat. Mickey Shiloh and Aynzli Jones)." Mickey is an amazingly talented songwriter/vocalist with an incredible work ethic and a great personality. I would highly recommend Mickey to anyone looking for amazing top-line and vocals.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Good music.

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

A: I promise to take my client's projects seriously and do my absolute best to execute their artistic vision.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Working on music all day! I have the best job in the world!

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: How much do you charge for a mix? It all depends on the length and the track count of the song. Short songs with lower track counts cost less than long songs with a hundred tracks.

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

A: The biggest misconception about what I do is that it's easy. Most people think that studio life is exactly how it's portrayed on TV. They think you go into the studio and emerge five minutes later with a hit song.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What vision do you have for your project? Do you have specific mix references that you'd like me to check out?

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

A: I've been a musician all my life. I started working professionally as a drummer in junior high school. I went to New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and received a degree in jazz performance. After graduation, I moved to Brooklyn New York and started my own recording studio which I ran for eleven years. In 2011 I was offered a job at Atlantic Records in Los Angeles. I worked there for almost three years. Currently, I have a mix/production room in West LA where I mix records for both major label and independent clients. In addition to my work as a mixer, I am also a member of The Artizonals production team, and co-owner of AMG Records. I have been an audio professional for fifteen years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Eclectic.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill as a mixer is my ability to identify what elements are most important in a song. Once I've accomplished this, it's not hard for me to take the song where it needs to go.

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

A: Find somebody who loves what you do!

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

A: Power Mac Pro Tools Apogee Symphony Dangerous Monitor Focal Twi6Be speakers

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

A: I've had the good fortune of working with a lot of high profile artists over the years. While this can be very exciting, I really enjoy developing those artists who are on the verge of becoming the next big thing. The energy, creativity, and willingness to explore that I've encountered working in these situations is both exciting and engaging.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: 1.Cut before you boost 2.Try parallel compressing the entire mix. 3.Hi-pass filter tracks that don't contain important low frequency content.

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

A: I work in all genres. That said, these days I mix a lot of mainstream pop/rock, R&B, rap, EDM, and acoustic singer-songwriter. I love it all!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When I'm mixing, I like to start by having a very detailed conversation with my client. I like to learn as much as I can about the song and the intended market before I start moving faders. I'll listen to the rough mix a couple of times and take a few notes. Once I've been acquainted with the song and the direction I usually start by dealing with the drums.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My taste and many years of musical experience. Throughout my life, I've been fortunate to have had a broad range of musical experiences. I've played in symphony orchestras, rock bands, gospel choirs, and jazz quartets, and recorded everything from African Mbira albums to chart-topping mega pop.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a Pro Tools HD rig with an Apogee Symphony converter and a ton of plug-ins. I monitor through a Dangerous Monitor that feeds Focal Twin 6Be Monitors. For tracking vocals I use a BAE 1073 that is usually sent through a distressor. I also have a UA 2-610 that I use from time to time.

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

A: Musicians: Prince, Miles Davis, Bjork, D'Angelo, Led Zepplin, Chick Corea, Bruno Mars, Maxwell, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Rascal Flatts, Sade, R. Kelly, Zedd, Mint Condition, Sting, and The Artizonals Music Production Professionals: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Justin Niebank, Trevor Horn, Dr. Luke, Dan Huff, Raphael Saadiq, Stuart Matthewman, Max Martin, Quincy Jones, Chris Lord-Alge

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

A: I mix records and produce songs for my clients. These days I primarily work on pop, R&B, EDM, rock, and acoustic singer-songwriter records.