Drummer / Mixer / Producer

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

A: For the past 8 years I have been working as a live FOH engineer touring the SA music scene from smaller intimate shows to festivals. At the same time I was also drumming for numerous bands throughout my career including Hiccup, Cadillac Sun and I am currently playing for Afrikaans solo artist Jakkie Louw. I have been privileged enough to have shared the stage with some of South-Africa's biggest artists, including playing at one of SA's major music festivals called "Oppikoppi" with Cadillac Sun.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a fairly simple and effective setup. The tracking room is a small but a highly treated room, resulting in pretty dry and punchy drums. I use a combination of Audix D series microphones as well as a few selected Shure mics depending on the specific sound or song. All mics are routed into a Soundcraft Mh3 Mixing console for pre eq and filtering before it runs into the DAW. From there the signals Run into a Focusrite Scarlett, Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 and a M-Audio profire taking care of A/D conversion. I run a Protools rig coupled with a pair of Yamaha NS 10s for monitoring. Additionally I also have a active Tannoy sub that I turn on and off as required. I also double check mixes on a pair of Audio Technica ATH series headphones. I use a number of selected outboard gear as well as plugins depending on whats needed for the specific project.

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

A: Dave Grohl, Butch Vig, Taylor Hawkins, Chad Smith, Zac Brown, Travis Barker, John Mayer, Elvis Blue, Mutt Lange, Chris Lord Alge, Warren Huart, Muse, Rival Sons, The Black Keys, Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, The Beatles, Queen, Def Leppard, Metallica, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews band, Dire Straits, Ed Sheeran, Eric Clapton, Fokofpolisiekar, Jack Johnson, Jeremy Loops, Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum, Led Zeppelin, Live, Lumineers, Michael Buble, Norah Jones, Paramore, Pearl Jam, The Police, Prince, Taylor Swift, Toto, Tracy Chapman, U2, James Brown, Florence + The Machine, Stevie Wonder, Riana Nel, Bruno Mars, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Roxette, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimi Hendrix, The Eagles, CCR,

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I am a true lover of analogue as I'm a vinyl enthusiast and love raw acoustically recorded music, but as much as I love it you have to admit that it has its obvious down side. The digital revolution though has made so many things possible (like doing business online) It is beautiful and powerful in its own right. At the end of the day it's all about the song and how that translates.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Doing what I love doing, making music! It's all about the music. Constantly being in a creative freeing environment is good for the soul and being able to share that same feeling with the world becomes a much bigger story.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently I am doing a full 10 track album production for South-African Artist "Garnet Deacon" My roles Include drumming, production and mixing.

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

A: Probably the biggest misconception of all time! People think that a sound engineer and a DJ are the same thing!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: All that matters is what comes out of the speakers! Listen, If it feels right it probably is. Dont try and fix something that's not broken in the first place.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Life, groove, rhythmical texture, foundation.

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

A: Live drum tracks and mixing.