Vocal Tuning, Music Producer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a few projects with people from Soundbetter which I'm really excited about. Also wrapping up and album and conceptualizing some music videos for it.

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

A: TORNA music - Ronnie DiSimone! https://soundbetter.com/profiles/239126-torna Great friend and collaborator, I can't recommend him enough. Truly incredible.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It just depends on what your aim is. I've learned that certain approaches are appropriate for certain tracks - for example, if a live recorded grand piano already exists in the track, I won't want to record my guitar in DI. I'll probably want to mic the amp, run it through some analog processing, etc. However, if a production is made entirely in the box and I'm tasked with adding to that, software synthesizers and DI instruments will oftentimes sound better than the analog.

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

A: I will always go above and beyond to help you achieve your goals.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love meeting new people and learning about what it is that motivates them or drives them. This work has taught me so much and I have learned something valuable from everyone that I've ever worked with.

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

A: That clients are paying for the amount of time that I work on something - in reality, they are paying for all of the time that I have spent over the years getting as good as I am at what I do.

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

A: I started out playing guitar when I was 10. I went to Berklee and studied vocals there - from there I did a lot of work playing as a keys player, singer, and music producer. I've had an extremely varied and diverse career!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Retro, soulful, dynamic, tasteful. I draw from modern inspirations as far as textures and sound design goes, but I am rooted in the American classics of rock, soul, funk, and RnB.

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

A: Mostly stuff in the Alternative/Retro domain- whether it be Indie, RnB, or Rock vibes. I don't particularly specialize in making "pop" or "hip-hop" sounding recordings, even though I am personally fans of tons of music from those genres.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work with a modest home set-up. I use very high end plug-ins and have an apollo interface with an vintage 80's AKG-414 XLS that I do my vocal tracking through. I also have done some contracts acoustic proofing rooms and churches so I build my own acoustic paneling for my room.

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

A: TME MCHNE, with R&B Singer Songwriter DAJ and Producer Akira Shelton. I was a Singer and Writer for the project. We had an excellent EP that came out a decade years ago, and although the group was short lived, the project still holds up.

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

A: Lappie, OB6, Apollo Twin, Headphones, Microphone.

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

A: Paris Strothers- I think she is an absolute genius. King Krule- his approach and sound palette are so unique- I'd love to be a fly on the wall in his workspace.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: We will complete 2-3 demos that consist of a verse and chorus. You can choose one of the directions, give feedback, then we can sketch out the rest of the instrumental. From there, once we get the vocal from you we can provide you with a mix and a few revisions- and voila! You're ready to send it off to mastering.

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

A: Jai Paul, D'angelo, Jamie Lidell, Pharrell, James Blake, Paris Strothers (King), King Krule

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

A: It is a mix of performance, production, songwriting, and mixing. We usually end up in a jack-of-all trades position while working for our clients.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have a unique feel for instruments and groove. As a vocalist, I approach production differently than most producers do, having a more keen sense for how my arrangements are interacting with the top line. I also usually contribute to my projects with stylized background vocal arrangements, which clients have given me great feedback on.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: 80's pop/soul/funk arrangements, vocal arranging and synth layering.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Minimize your gear and samples, learn how to use what you are working with. Use your limitations creatively to your own advantage.

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

A: Do your due diligence and talk to at least a few producers. Find someone who has time to listen to you and understand what you want. When I was in the artist game I made the mistake of hiring producers who had credits and expertise who essentially put me through their factory line... the end product was not what I was looking for. Find someone who loves and is a specialist in the genre you want.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are some references for your vision? What are your favorite drum sounds, your favorite vocalists, etc. The more references I get, the better I can do for you.

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

A: Quick turnaround, very easy to communicate with, punctual and reliable.