I'm a producer and engineer based in NYC. I have 10+ years of experience in both DIY and large-scale studio settings. I specialize in synth and guitar-based dream pop and indie rock, although I work on R&B and electronic projects quite often too. Recently I produced part of CHAI's new album, which came out in May on Sub Pop Records.
Depending on what you're looking for, I can arrange, write on, record, and/or mix your music. I can also do processing and effects treatments - ie run your existing multitracks through outboard compressors, tape echo - or more specific work like editing, pitching, vocal comping, etc.
I usually work in Ableton Live or Logic Pro, altho I’m also familiar with analog workflows and recording to tape. While producing I mostly play guitar, drums and keyboards. I often find myself working on projects where I have to produce a whole arrangement myself, so I've spent the last few years building a deep library of samples and software instruments.
Reach out to show me what you’re working on--I’d love to talk through how I can help. Please include an audio sample so we can talk thru details!
Some recent work:
* My productions have appeared at the Tribeca Film Festival, received 2 million+ streams on Spotify, coverage from Pitchfork, Stereogum, DIY Mag, Paste etc,
* I’ve composed music, ambiences, and mnemonics for clients including Maison Margiela, Virgin and Spotify
* in 2019 I oversaw audio production for the David Bowie Is retrospective AR mobile app
* I graduated magna cum laude from NYU Tisch's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music
, and worked there as a studio assistant for 2 years.
* I have a home studio in NYC where I can do 20-channel tracking and mixing
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
23 Reviews - 4 Repeat Clients
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Alex is such an awesome guy. He's a talented musician, as well as a great communicator. This is my second time going with Alex for a mix, and I'm super happy w/ the result. Alex's solo music is so good, and it's one of the reasons I love working w/ him. I can hear some of his music's influence in the mixes he does for my tracks :)
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Alex is an immensely talented producer / engineer, and an understanding, patient, and kind professional. I've had numerous delays in delivering my side of the project, but he was understanding all the way throughout the process. He will work to deliver the sound you're looking for — can't go wrong working with him!
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Αlex helped me with the production of my new EP and I couldn't be more satisfied about the result. It's not only his professionalism and his production skills but also the fact that he is such a kind and calm person. Feeling safe and trusting your music to someone is not easy, but with Alex it is. So glad to have worked with a person like him. Recommended to anyone
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I feel really lucky finding Alex on Soundbetter. He is a true professional, always so patient and takes time to make sure you get exactly what you want. Every time I asked him to make an adjustment he delivered it really fast and exactly as I imagined it. It's my first time working with someone online so I was pretty anxious, but this guy really fulfilled my expectations. Totally recommended to anyone who is searching for a trustworthy talented producer, multi-instrumentalist :)
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Always a pleasure working with Alex. Couldn't be more satisfied about the final result of this song. He is so full of new ideas, which personally is the reason why I will collaborate with him on my next project too :)
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Alex is an absolutely talented producer and musician. He really understood to my ideas and brought them to life. The most important is that he is so easy to communicate with, which makes everything much easier, and definitely will collaborate with him again in the near future. I recommend him to anyone who asks for a professional result.
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Alex is really cool, really talented, and really nice. He's professional, and he was on the same page as me throughout the entire process. I'm so glad I chose Alex to mix my song because it sounds 100 times better now. He steered me in the right direction, and if you need a mixing engineer, go with Alex. Oh, and, stream Cutouts on Spotify. They're a great band :-)
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Working with Alex has been an absolute pleasure. The guy is nothing but professional, clear, and extremely down to earth. A talented musician who can make your sonic wishes a reality. I would be happy to work with him again.
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Alex worked on my first outing as an independent artist, and fostered a dynamic and supportive creative process, where each step was handled with care and professionalism. His extensive knowledge of musical references, an ability to cook up nuanced productions, and his innate affinity for attentive communication makes him an overall amazing collaborator. Would recommend him to anyone and everyone!
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Great experience working with Alex! He communicates well, was easy to work with, and has great ideas. Hit all the revisions I asked for, never made me feel rushed, and sent off stems and files in a well-organized way. I'm very glad we worked together!
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Alex is a very talented producer and makes fresh, inventive sounding tracks. He produced a track I'd written and took it somewhere I wouldn't have thought to go. I recommend working with him highly.
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Alex is a fantastic person, and a great musician! He takes very good care of the artist's needs as a producer. He listens and replies thoroughly, his experience lets him easily come up with solid solutions and proper direction of the song. Communication was excellent and the whole process was great, will definitely work with him again!
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This is my second time working with Alex and as always, I can't be more happy than what he delivered. He's now my go to guy whenever I have a special song that I need good production on!
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Alex is an amazing songwriter musician and overall a super kind person, it was my first time finding collaborators on Soundbetter & as soon as I heard his sample I instantly felt in love with his sounds & contacted him with no hesitation. Alex offered lots of great interesting ideas & advice on my song & we had good constant communication throughout. I was extremely happy with our final product, and I hope I'll be able to work with him again soon! Thank you Alex!
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Alex is like Bob Ross.. but instead of colours, he's mixing sounds in a way that makes my music shine and breath.
Happy little details everywhere.
I'm so glad i've found him through this website. - check_circleVerified
Alex Did a Great Job. Great to work with!
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It's super nice to work with Alex, he understands what you are looking for and works hard for it. Thanks!
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I'm really happy how Alex understood what Sound i'm searching for. He helped me out with his creativity and production skills and made the Song sound amazing.
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It's really a pleasure working with Alex. Super easy to communicate with and he perfectly actualized my sonic imagination. Can't wait to work on more songs together.
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Alex is very creative, kind and professional! He did a really good and high quality production. I’ll be working again with him in new projects very soon. Highly recommended.
Interview with Alex MacKay
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Try running it thru a pedal
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Laurie Anderson, Genesis P-Orridge, Alan Vega, Nina Simone, Adrienne Lenker, Nicolas Jaar, Philippe Zdar, James Murphy, John Congleton, Merrill Garbus, Vivien Goldman, Shawn Everett, Todd Terje, Leon Russell
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use Logic Pro X and Ableton Live, running through a UA Apollo x8 with a UA Twin satellite. I monitor with Yamaha HS7s, an Avantone MixCube and Beyerdynamic DT1990s Pros. Usually I write parts on a Wurlitzer 200A, Roland Alpha Juno-2, Korg Minilogue, Kapa Continental, Roland TR-8 drum machine and/or Teisco Del Rey bass, often running through a couple guitar pedals. The amps I have on hand are a Traynor Dark Horse, a 20W Fender Harvard clone and a Trace Eliot BLX20 for bass. As far as outboard gear, I most often use a Roland Space Echo RE-201, a Golden Age Pre-73 MkIII and a Hairball 1176-style FET compressor.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm working on the next Cutouts record and a slew of side projects with friends new and old.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both are exciting and fun in their own ways
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Writing and recording new parts and helping build arrangements, shaping sonics and mixing.
I was the Producer, Instrumentalist, Mixer, Singer in this production
- Mixing EngineerContact for pricing
- ProducerContact for pricing
- Top line writer (vocal melody)Contact for pricing
- Film ComposerContact for pricing
Typical turn-around time in 1-3 weeks for most regular projects depending on scale. Price includes up to four revisions on mixing and production work.
- Beach House
- Tame Impala
- HOMESHAKE
- Roland Space Echo
- Wurlitzer 200
- HA 1176 Compressor
- Roland Alpha-Juno 2
- Roland TR-8
- Teisco Del Rey bass
- Sennheiser MD441
- UAD Apollo x8
- Yamaha HS7s
- Beyer DT1990 Pros