EDM Producer & Mixer

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

A: For synch, I am proud to be a part of multiple songs nominated for 2019 Production Music Awards. My favorite project to date would be my forthcoming EP on my artist project. The vocal and production work on the project is some of my best work yet and I'm excited to release it.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I do synch work full-time with a media house in LA who specializes in TV/Film ad placements. This helps hone my efficiency as a producer. I also have my 2 artist projects to foster my creative side and explore new sounds and techniques without limitations.

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

A: None yet! Still new to the community!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Mostly digital, little bit of analog. I love the quirkiness of analog gear, but I often find myself more efficient with digital gear.

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

A: I promise to work diligently to craft your next best song or that top-shelf quality mix you've been looking for. Even though I'm still new to 1-1 customer audio work, my tenacity and willingness to continue learning means you will always be taken care of and your needs met as my customer!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The ability to sit down and CREATE something. The satisfaction I get from creating a musical work or great technical mix is amazing. Add on top of that the gratification of having someone else also love your work and it's intoxicating!

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

A: - What's the turnaround? Production - 1 week. Mixing/mastering - 1-3 days. - How many revisions do I get? Unlimited revisions. I work until you're happy! - Do you have any package deals for production+mixing/mastering? Yes! If a client wants production+mixing/mastering or any combination of the two, I have various discounts to accommodate their needs.

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

A: That it's quick and easy. Even though many people have made a living from music production and mixing without formal training, that does not mean it's an easy road to get there. Music production and audio engineering in many ways can be just as technical as mechanical engineering (and I have a M.Sc. in M.E. from Georgia Tech!). Creative energy doesn't always come to the surface when you need it to, so there are methods and tricks for working with and around little blocks like this. Being able to utilize both creative and technical skill sets at the same time is a learned skill and takes years of practice.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: - References, references, references. This is almost always first. - What are the goals of the project? - Do you mind me utilizing some creative freedom? If not, that's perfectly ok - but best to clarify upfront. - Who are your influences? - How do you plan to distribute the finished project?

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

A: First off, know what you want from your project. Is this a fun hobby, or is it a serious passion? What do you want to be "your sound"? I strongly recommend that every client has a solid idea of the goal they wish to accomplish with each project, and that they have 2-5 references of what style they want their project to sound like. References are important because they give me a baseline when working on productions/mixes. They allow you, the customer, and me to establish an immediate connection and understand each other more effectively. Once you know what type of sound you want from your project, then you can start to understand the creative choices I make as well since they will be within the context of the references you give me. Above all, be honest with yourself. Are you trying to become the nest pop sensation? Or do you just want a tune to jam to and show off with friends? Both options are equally admirable in my opinion, and I'm willing and prepared to work with both types of customers and everyone in between.

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

A: - Macbook pro, i7 - Audio-technica, ATH-M50s - AKAI MPK 49 - Apollo Twin interface - Fender Stratocaster These are my essential gear. With these, I can produce, mix, and master just about anything.

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

A: I started music production and engineering back in college, about 8 years ago and have been working since. While I am musically self-taught, I have a formal technical background in engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. This has helped me hone my technical skills more efficiently over the years. I've had successful client work for the past 3 years.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Layering, layering, layering. Even if a song only has 5-7 elements, it most likely has 2X-3X as many individual tracks. This is especially true in modern Pop music where most songs focus on only a handful of unique elements, but each element is crafted to perfection to ensure a great production.

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

A: I usually work on EDM and pop tunes, but I also have experience with trap and hip-hop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is writing catchy and energetic EDM/pop anthem chords/toplines

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring creativity and uniqueness to my productions and mixing work. I have the baseline skill and competency to blend-in and match the pro's work, but I prefer to use my skills in more creative ways to distinguish myself (and my work) from others. While you may be able to identify my productions and mixing and having the polish of radio-ready hits, you will also notice the intricate details I put into every last corner of my work to ensure it sounds the best it can.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For productions, I like to start by talking with the client to get a sense of what they want out of the song/production. Things like reference tracks, favorite artists, influences, etc. can be really helpful here. Once a style and direction is established an agreed upon, I then work on the first draft (demo) and send to the client labelled as the "TITLE [Demo 1]" for review. This is an early demo to ensure that production is on the right track and to help get the client excited early on (music should be EXCITING!). Once the first demo is approved, I will then move to creating a full production, including a mixed and mastered product. As for my workflow, I like to start with a strong chord or melodic progression depending on the genre, which I usually write on my keyboard. A strong core concept is key to a good song, so I like to nail that down first. Then I proceed to the rest of the production. For mixing, I start in a similar way to my production work - getting to know the client's needs and expectations for the project. Mixing work is often on a much shorter time line than production work, so I make sure to make use of my multiple monitoring devices (headphones and professional loudspeakers) to get an accurate and clear sonic picture of the mix to ensure it translates properly.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a modest setup, but am always working to improve it as opportunities arise. I strongly believe investing back into my craft is the best way to ensure my longevity. Here's a quick breakdown of what I currently have: - 2, Yamaha HS-80M monitors - Apollo Twin audio interface - AKAI MPK 49 MIDI controller - Blue Yeti microphone - Audio-technica AT2020 condenser microphone - AKG K712 headphones - AKG M220 headphones - Audio-technica ATH-M50 headphones - Fender Stratocaster guitar - B.C. Rich Mockingbird guitar - Alvarez electric-acoustic guitar - Custom-built Mac (i9-9900K, 32 GB RAM, dual monitor, widescreen displays, etc.)

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

A: Musically/creatively, Porter Robinson is huge inspiration for my work. The idea of creating a space apart from the daily bustle and grind of real life is massively important to me and something I learned from him. I try to incorporate that feeling into every project I work on. Mix-wise, I love Tom Lord-Alge's work because he single-handedly sculpted the soundscape of Punk and Rock music (the stuff I grew up on) for decades.

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

A: I mostly do vocal mixing and full production work. I specialize in EDM/Trap/Pop but I'm able to dabble in a range of genres.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like to walk the line between dichotomies: bold / apprehensive dark / uplifting strong / fragile The most beautiful songs are the ones that successfully capture the dichotomous struggle seen within and around all of us.

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

A: Porter Robinson or Said The Sky. They both do an amazing job of creating music that seems simultaneously larger than life but intimate at the same time. I would love to get a glimpse into their writing process.