Producer, Mix/Master Engineer

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

A: I pull a lot of inspiration from Quincy Jones. He is all time for me in so many ways. So many others to list...

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

A: I am looking to foster new relationships with many creatives on SoundBetter and would like to do so in order to keep our niche community working and active.

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

A: Can you work within my budget? I can make anything work within people's budgets within reason.

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

A: That anybody can do it without time, practice, and great ears.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your budget? Do you have any references that you would like to strive for while also making sure the original authenticity is taken into account to deliver the final product.

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

A: Vett them and see what work they have done. Listen to their sound and start creating a happy interacting relationship together.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Authentic. I can adapt to whatever anyone is looking for.

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

A: Disclosure. I am a huge fan of their sound and development as producers.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It varies per project, but the most important thing for me is to get to know the client I am working with firsthand and establish a great working relationship. The relationship is paramount for me and I do what I do because i love it!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My signal flow is as follows: Apollo X16, Apollo 8 & Apollo Twin X AD/DA Converters, and a UAD-2 Satellite Processor with a total of 16 DSP cards to offload the work away from my internal RAM. I am a Universal Audio Beta Tester with all the top of the line current plug-ins for production, mixing, & mastering. Apollo X16 Interface feeds 16 IN's of my Neve 5059 Analog Summing Mixer > Neve Master Bus Converter which is the Master Clock with "Silk" & Master Bus Limiting. > Mix gets printed back into Pro Tools. I use state-of-the-art PMC Monitors for playback. Going into my rig I have the following Analog Signal chain set up. Neumann U87 > Neve 1073 > UA 1176LN > Apollo Interfaces. (Keyboards) - Dave Smith Prophet 6, Roland Fantom G8, Roland Juno-6, Yamaha CP Series, (Controllers) - Maschine, Komplete Kontrol. (Guitars) - Washburn Semi-Hollow body Electric, Music Man Custom Sting Ray Bass, Fender Strat, Taylor 310-CE Acoustic.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: There is a lot of science involved in the music making, and especially the mixing process....Don't forget to listen with your ears and not your eyes when working. At the end of the day whatever you are doing must sound good, regardless of what a screen may display or show you.

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

A: I co-wrote a song with a few friends called "Sauce" by Naika which is currently the song for the new Apple iPhone 12 commercial. The Parson James, Wrabel, VINCINT record titled "Oh Love." I am super proud of it because it was supporting a great cause for the LGBTQ community and the performance was live-streamed. It was also my first time co-mixing it with a fellow producer/engineer with who I have since bonded after that experience. We can all teach something to one another and have a lot to learn from all humans.

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

A: All types of music, but predominantly all forms of Pop-ular & various genres of Dance Music.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Writing and producing a bunch of pitch songs for various pop artists as well as mixing records for various clients.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I am the most passionate about what I do. I eat, sleep, and breathe all things frequency and music related. I like meeting new people and letting the world hear the projects I am working on. It is all more practice to keep growing and becoming better at our skillsets everyday. I keep learning new tips and tricks everyday!

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

A: Super fast Apple computer Neumann Microphone UAD Audio Interface Tube-Tech CL1B Compressor All the best plug-ins.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: A hybrid Mix. A combination of both these days for the sake of being able to maximize your output. Without the use of computers today our workload may lessen. They are all tools which we must use to create. No shame in either or.

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

A: Professionalism with friendliness. Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Depending on the role, I always try to bring the best qualities and characteristic out of the individual I am working with at any given time. I am willing to bring as much as needed to get the project to the next level and keep the utmost amount of authenticity while doing so.

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

A: I started out by learning the basics of music technology at Santa Barbara City College in 2007. I then moved to LA to go to SAE Institute for Audio Engineering and was actively interning at a well know production studio at the time as well. After that I was asked to go on the road as a drum tech and handle other various roles of touring for a small world music group called "Playing For Change." From there I managed to climb my way through various ranks and roles with many world renown artists such as...Eagles, Joe Walsh, Don Henley, Dave Stewart, The Jackson's, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, One Republic, Avril Lavigne, Ke$ha, A.R. Rahman, Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, David Cook, New Kids On The Block, Johnny Reid, Cassadee Pope, Playing For Change. my Job description changed from tour to tour, but overall I ended up as a Tour Manager, Production Manager, Tour Accountant and Front of House Engineer. I toured for 7 years and have been in the music business for 11 years. I am now working full time as a producer / mix engineer / mastering engineer / songwriter / DJ / FOH Engineer. I work with a wide demographic with artists trying to excel my career and recognition in the industry.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing & Mastering. Along with the music production process and songwriting. I am a big collaborator and love co-writing.

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

A: Full production, start to finish. (Songwriting or beat-making) Vocal Production / Comping / Tuning. Stem mixing for songs or tracks. Mastering of finished material.