Mixer, Producer, Guitar/Bass

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

A: My favorite song I've ever done was "We Forget" by Alina Cherone. I did the mix and helped with production. She's just such an incredible songwriter and producer, and I was inspired bringing it to completion.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A full length LP with my band Even Us and an EP with Alina Cherone

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

A: Adam "Yukon" Harr

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Obviously Both! I love analog gear because there's a little something extra. And even when going all digital, the aesthetic is informed by analog processing. It's just the era I grew up in so it's what I like. It's all about many different kinds of subtle saturation.

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

A: I promise I'll give my whole heart to your project and not send it out until I know I've done everything I can to make it great!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that moment when a song stops feeling like a pile of crap and starts feeling like a hit!

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

A: Can you make this sound like X Y OR Z? Probably! I'll try my best.

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

A: A lot of people believe in "fix it in the mix." I have a ton of tools to fix things, but I don't believe in deferring decisions until the end of the process. I'm not here to put my stamp on someone's song, but to present their vision in the most awesome way possible. So the more an artist or producer does to clarify the project before sending it to someone else the better.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I mostly ask for references so I know what they love and where they want their music to "live"

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

A: Make sure you've taken your song as far as you can. Don't hire a mixer or a session musician to fix problems in the arrangement and writing. Guys like me are here to enhance your song and present it in the best possible light, not to fix it.

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

A: Laptop loaded with plugins, Strat, Dave Smith OB-6, UAD Apollo, PMC speakers

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

A: I've been playing guitar for 25 years, producing for 10, and mixing professionally for 5 years. I started out playing rock music as a kid in Philadelphia, going on several tours as a high-schooler. Then I studied classical guitar for several years at the Oberlin Conservatory. After graduating I spent several years playing r&b, gospel, reggae, and world music all over the East coast. I taught private lessons for 10 years and worked in recording studios in the Philadelphia area. In 2019 I moved to Los Angeles with my girlfriend Alina, and incredible artist, and we formed a band called Even Us. I now split my time between the band and doing mix and session work professionally.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Dynamic and Colorful

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

A: Radiohead because they're the best band ever.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more! Make every sound have a special and unique character, and write more interesting melodies or chords rather than add on new parts.

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

A: I usually work on pop, indie rock, funk, soul, and house. But I've worked on many genres besides that and all types of music excite me.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring Energy and Intention! A song is all about the dynamics and the feel. You should never get bored or wonder when the song's gonna end. I try to keep the listener captivated. Sometimes that means making a section smaller, narrower, dryer, so that the next section can EXPLODE! It's all about contrast! That's my approach no matter what I'm doing - producing, mixing, or playing. Give the song a shape and energy architecture that honors the core message of the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When mixing I'll listen to the rough mix while setting up the session. I do a quick balance to get all the levels where they feel right, and then I'll set up my routing so that I'm listening through my beautiful master buss. After that I'll start with whichever sound I think is the "hook" of the song and give it the color and texture I like. I'll then spend hours detailing and sculpting, and doing automation to bring the track to life. About halfway through the process I'll listen to references to make sure my mix is better than everything else out there! If I'm doing guitar or bass work I just listen to whatever I'm sent and play whatever feels great, refining as I go until there are beautifully sculpted parts that perfectly fit the song!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a beautiful studio in Highland Park, LA. It's a well-designed, well-treated room in a 10-person studio complex. I use PMC, Focal, and Auratone speakers which give me an incredibly detailed image of the music in front of me. I listen through gorgeous Lynx Hilo converters and record through a UAD Apollo x6 with an assortment of hardware preamps. When mixing I sum into an Alan Smart C1 (SSL compressor), Chandler Curve Bender, and Neve Master Buss Processor. This outboard equipment adds a beautiful depth, power and space to my mixes that I haven't been able to recreate with plugins. When tracking guitar I play numerous guitars through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, using pedals and plugins to sculpt the sound. Lead vocals are usually recorded with a Manley Reference Cardioid through a Chandler TG2. I love my little studio and I'm super proud of the sounds I'm able to get.

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

A: My favorite mixer by far is Michael Brauer. I'm completely inspired by Mark Ronson, Diplo, and Ian Fitzpatrick when it comes to modern production. My favorite producers ever are Quincy Jones, Brian Eno, Leon Sylvers, and Maurice White.

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

A: My two main services are mixing and session guitar/bass work