Mixing/Mastering/Production

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

A: I'm new to this so at the moment there aren't but I'll definitely look and do some homework and networking and add a recommendation in here when I have one. A friend of mine Mickey Shiloh is a huge advocate of SoundBetter and is the one who put me onto it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever needs to be brought, I try to just compliment the record and get the best and most authentic sound I can out of each artist.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on what I'm working on. I just cater to each artist and their needs.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I offer full recording mixing and mastering on site. We (Treesound) have a manley reference mic as our main vocal mic and run it through the 1073 and Cl1b. Mix wise we use a combination of UA and waves plugins, mainly do everything in the box.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Dynamic. I'd like to think I'm more multi dimensional whereas most producers and engineers kinda stick to what they're comfortable with. From a production standpoint I've been known to have some of the best kicks and drum programming. NOwI'm trying to incorporate more live instrumentation.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because it's mainly what I know, I stick to what I really know although I do love analog sound, I just haven't been involved in many projects yet that have the budget for it. It's amazing how far technology is come and even the digital replicas of analog gear, it's pretty wild when you think about it.

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

A: Usually rates and if they can do bundle deals (which I do depending on my current workload). Also get asked what gear I use or how fast I can get something done. In which I answer with a list and a realistic date.

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

A: Defintely the Guapdad album that's about to drop, Dior Deposits. I've spent the last year and half doing production and tracking for it and am on over 40% of the entire record.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Just finished working on Guapdad and Yung Pinch's albums, right now I'm just taking on outside projects and seeing what's next.

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

A: That they'll get high quality work with a fast turnaround, consistently.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That it's different every single day and that anything can happen.

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

A: That it's copy and paste. That every song and process is the same.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What their budget is, when they plan to release, things they like or don't like about either their demo or rough mix if it's a mix/master client

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

A: Just to know what you want, the more context and references i have the better I can materialize your vision.

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

A: Everything I got in the box lol. If i got my laptop and everything on it I'm good.

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

A: I started in my bedroom not knowing what I was doing and just learned on youtube and trial and error. From there I moved to LA, became an intern, got promoted to Studio Manager then went from there. Now I just focus on producing and mixing, I'd like to do more executive production as time goes on though.

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

A: 6lack was always someone I wanted to work with and recently got the chance to work with so that was incredible. I would have loved to work with Nipsey, rest in peace. Other than that, just whoever is trying to be the greatest at their craft that's what I'm inspired by.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Know who you're working with. The more context you have on the artists, the easier it is to create something authentic to them that they'll love and that their audience will appreciate.

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

A: Hip hop and R&B but starting to venture into pop and indie.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing quality tracks with a fast turnaround. Even when tracking records I'm mixing on the fly and give artists rough mixes that sound nearly finished.

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

A: Mixing wise, Mixed By Ali. Production wise: Mike & Keys and Wondagurl

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

A: Production, Mixing, Mastering, and Songwriting