Producer/ Mixer/ Engineer

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

A: There were 2 young local bands who almost got signed. (I know almost only counts in...) "Waking James" from Drew University. Great band whom I produced and record their 1st record. And "Central side" A great pop punk band from Chatham who I produced and recorded a debut CD as well as several masters for a follow up release.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently mixing a 13 song CD project that I tracked, played guitar on and co produced.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, all the way. Actually I was one of the last people to give up my multi-track tape machine but I would NEVER go back. Just the ability to fix a wrong note on a bass or guitar track hours or even weeks after the player has gone home is priceless. Add to that the mix capabilities of "in the box" automation and it is no contest.

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

A: I do the best job I possibly can and don't settle for "good enough".

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love music, hanging out with other musicians, being in the studio, hearing a great play back

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

A: The most common question is "how long do you think it is going to take?" A big part of that answer is, "how well are you prepared?" When a band has their stuff together and really know their parts, we can do a lot in a day. What takes time is when people come in before having worked those things out. This is one of the biggest reasons I do pre production and stress rehearsal

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

A: I am not a magician. We can fix all sorts of things these days with software, but not everything. Also things in the studio take time, you generally don't record a 3 min song in 3 minutes. Also, mixing (if you want ti dong right) takes several hours.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Type of music? How many songs? What sort of instrumentation? Demo or release?

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

A: Hire someone who is a good fit for your music. It's the same with Lawyers. If you are buying a house you hire a real estate lawyer. If you are litigating an injury you hire a bodily injury lawyer etc.

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

A: Mac book pro, Sony 7506's, Focusrite interface, EV Re20, a decent Stratocaster with a rosewood board

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

A: Started playing drums and taking lessons in the 1st grade. Have been playing in one group or another, writing, recording and doing gigs ever since. (I am old enough to remember the Beatles on Ed Sullivan)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Quietly confident. I have been around for a while and have learned that the people who brag and go on about how they are "all that" are usually not. The great players rarely ever talk about how great they are. When you've got the goods it isn't necessary

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

A: John Eddie. I've known John for years and used to open for him in the 90's. Great songwriter, under rated IMHO

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure the headphones are "right". If they can't hear they can't perform.

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

A: Singer/Songwriter, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Funk, it varies, last year I worked on a Reggaeton project.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Staying focused, staying positive, having a strong background as a musician and songwriter myself, and good "people skills"

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: That depends on whether I am producing or not. If it's a straight recording gig, I do my best to stay out of the way, make sure things work, and make suggestions when it is appropriate. Sometimes it is important to just keep quiet and make sure the technical aspects are covered. If I am producing, then I will help with arrangements, suggestions on lyrics or melodies, hire players as well as play and sing on the project myself.. However, all of that is with the understanding that it's your record, not mine, and if the artist or band doesn't like a given idea, then no worries and we move on

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For an original music project I will usually do some per-production with the artist or band to make sure we all agree on the arrangement and details of the song. If I am also producing I usually like at least one rehearsal, or if it is a band, I like to sit in on a rehearsal or see them live at a gig.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My CR is 18x15 with good sound treatments including corner traps, wall panels and bass trapping along the ceiling. My Audio Arts Wheatstone Console is the centerpiece delivering 28 Jensen style mic pres' 8 Busses and 4 Aux sends, with 24 channels of tape return. The converters are SSL Alphalink and the monitors are Event Opals and Yamaha HS7. The live room is big enough to comfortable accommodate 4 musicians with the Pearl Recording custom drums for tracking dates.

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

A: Robben Ford is my favorite guitarist, Clapton, Scofield, Mick Taylor,The Allmans etc. On the production side, Mitchell Froom, John Leventhal, Vance Powell and, of course Bob Clearmountain and Bob Ludwig

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

A: Audio recording, music and voice ranging from a simple demo to a full band for commercial release.