Pop/Rock Producer/Engineer

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

A: Actually the bossa nova project I recently finished was one of my most proud works because I learned so much about focusing on the source and actually setting up my instruments and projects in a way where the source has a lot higher of a chance being right immediately and with less work. It taught me more patience and how to go back and accept that something that was already recorded or done was wrong and to go back to the drawing board. There was also a song called Falling that I wrote and produced a few years back that was for my wife. It was the 2nd song I wrote for her and it was one of my favorite ones because of the arrangement and emotion in the song. Another one I was proud of was called Fall For You Again that I loved because of the structure and arrangement as well. I loved that song for similar reasons. Usually I'm used to writing and producing the songs to either a complete extent or at least 50% writing and production. Mixing kind of happens while I'm producing. I'd say 75% of the time, I finish the mixing myself or the other 25% is sent to an engineer for the final mix and another for the master.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently I'm writing for my own project and craft. I'm focusing on getting into writing more since I was in a bit of a jazz/bossa nova life for about 7 months and have just completed those projects. So, I'm getting into the swing of the entire process again since I was so production focused for so long and working on mostly done projects with the bossa nova writers who provided the demos.

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

A: I've never worked with anyone and gotten any services. But I hope to change that soon.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Preferably hybrid... But if I had to chose one... Digital. Having the freedom and flexibility of digital is incredible. So many plugins have gotten enough of a "correct response" back from emulating various hardware gear that the differences are noticeable to trained ears and noticeable when compared A/B but neglible to a final product and if done right, doesn't make the client or listener feel like they're missing anything which is proven by the many songs in the past 30 years that have been done purely digital with no one asking what's digital or analog.

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

A: I promise to put all of my effort into every project, put all of my emotions into each project, and communicate and be honest with my clients always about each step.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love creating music overall. I love putting my emotions into my work so that anyone who listens feels whatever we're trying to emote. I love the process. I love the end result. I love working with my clients. Watching their ideas big bigger and their visions being brought to life.

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

A: How much? How long? Just message me and we can discuss pricing. Don't take the quoted amounts as scripture or anything definite. If I truly like the project, I'll be more likely to be flexible. Just message me and if you think you have something good, I'll work with you. Same with the length. "How many passes" I'll do as many as I feel is reasonable. I won't just leave you with one if you don't like it. I want my clients to feel completely satisfied with the project. But also on the other end, if you are asking for 100 passes and we keep going in circles, that's too much too.

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

A: "They can only do pop" "They do too much stuff so they aren't focused or good enough as a producer, engineer, etc, etc." - I've been creating music since I was 12. By 14 I was practicing singing and guitar or piano combined for around 8 hours a day. By 16, those 8 hours changed to producing/engineering/writing for that amount of time while in HS. It hasn't changed now that I'm 25. Except now I've had formal Berklee training and personal coaching for Singing, Writing, and Production by Grammy Winners, Acclaimed Hollywood Coaches, or

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your plan/vision for the project? What do you want people to feel with the song or what did you feel while writing it? When do you need it done? What would you like me to help with? What are at least 3 references you used for the song regarding the writing and production of the song?

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

A: Make sure you get along with the provider and make sure the provider is making a connection and is trying to do better for the song and artist, not for themself.

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

A: Laptop loaded with my plugins/DAW Focusrite Scarlett Solo Mic/cable Acoustic Guitar Studio Headphones

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

A: I started off playing guitar/piano and writing about 15 years ago. About 13 years ago I began producing and engineering. In between and a little bit after those years I learned 10 other instruments and attended Berklee College of Music for Music Production and Engineering. Originally, I was focused on being a solo artist but began transitioning to writing and producing for other artists late in high school.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style overall as Pop. Everything I do has a pop foundation. However, if I sense or am told that the client wants the song to be pure rock, Jazz, RnB, etc. I will make is pure without the Pop undertones/ideologies.

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

A: Bruno Mars or Christian Nodal. Bruno Mars is an artist who I've loved since I was a kid and he has evolved his style substantially over the years. I would love to work on a 70s/80s vibe with him and the production crew and create something raw and authentic.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always have a purpose for whatever you add and get the sounds and frequencies correct at the source. Don't try to fix things in the mix. You can't polish a turd.

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

A: Pop, Rock, RnB, Regional/Bolero/Pop Spanish. But have experience and worked on Jazz/Bossa, Hip Hop, and Country.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Production and communicating with an artist to understand what they are trying to achieve. Bringing out the best and hidden visions of a project.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring emotion and authenticity by recording real instruments when I can and using my influence to take a demo or raw song to a full finished product that is streaming/radio ready. I realize what the artists vision is by creating a relationship with the artist or sender and trying to understand what they are trying to do and emote.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the project. But, I will write a song from either the chorus or beginning. It depends on the idea for the song and how much of a "blueprint" there is to work off of. Depending on the song, I will either write the song fully first then produce or write like >50% and produce while I finish working. After the song is written (or while), I will be gin production either at the intro if there's an idea and skip to the chorus or at the chorus and work down from the chorus. In some events, if there's a very clear idea, I will start from the beginning and just go from there. While the song is being produced I will mix as I go and when it's produced, do the final, emotional/sonic mixing.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: 2 Yamaha HS5's, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen, Les Paul Custom, Stratocaster, Streamliner, Cordoba, 214CE, DX1AE, Privia PX1000x, Alesis Midi Controller, Ableton Live 11, Waves Complete Suite, Omnisphere/Keyscape/Trillion, Arturia Synth Suite, Kush/UKG Complete, God Particle/Orion, Izotope Suites, Melodyne/Auto tune Pro, More But Can't Remember.

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

A: I've been heavily influenced by many musicians and artists over the years. If I had to make only the primary influences in the major styles/genres/roles I work in I would have to name Pop: Michael Jackson, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Bruno Mars Rock: My Chemical Romance, Slipknot, Daughtry Country: George Strait, Thomas Rhett, Morgan Wallet Spanish: Christian Nodal, Jose Jose, Napoleon, Carin Leon

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

A: Commonly, I will be asked to produce a song that someone has had either from a demo or just a vocal and guitar/piano track. For that, depending on the track, I will record guitar, bass, piano, or drums depending on what the song needs and arrange the song based off of the emotion first and style second. Before that happens, I will ask the client what they are looking for in the song, is it for sync, their own artist project, a show, etc. Based off of what I'm told, I will base the production off of that. On other occasions I will be asked to produce and help with the writing and/or engineer the song. I will ask the same questions and then style accordingly.