Sebastian Mathews on SoundBetter

Hi! My name is Seb. I am a young audio engineer devotedly passionate about music and the sounds of life. I have been experimenting with sound since a very early age; my whole life led me to the choice of this path comprised of science and art. Let me tell you more...

A young, charming engineer, who constantly works on mixing audio both in the digital and analogue spectrum. I avoid using general approaches when mixing, I analyse and delve into the audio with intent to bring out what's best in the material.

I believe that there is always a best way to work with each particular artist, and aim to find it at the beginning of each session.

When mastering, I work with external material, and sometimes master my own mixes when required. This is my personal favourite part of the production process.

Some results of my work amassed several thousand views on sites such as YouTube.

I conduct location recordings; I can travel and track 16 channels and more.

I run sound at live events and have my own Meyer Sound line arrays.

Since January 2016 I have been working at The Claw Recording studio, my duties include: preparing and running recording sessions, microphone techniques, studio management, mixing, mastering, ADR & VO, post-production, sound restoration, troubleshooting, maintenance, vintage equipment restoration, pricing / budgeting projects and customer service. We have temporarily suspended the studio in order to find a different location.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

1 Reviews

Endorse Sebastian Mathews

by Jnana Music
Sebastian is an awesome partner to work with! He puts his all into every track and won't stop until it's perfect. With his analogue desk, you will be gladly sorted. From London and beyond. ~ Jnana

Interview with Sebastian Mathews

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What do you expect of me? What is the deadline? Do you have a direction you wish me to follow? May I offer a second opinion on production choices? Do you have any equipment and production requirements? Possible recorded examples of performances by the musicians involved in order to recognise the style and pick the best approaches and equipment to the production. What is your budget?
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I shall try to provide all that you expect from me, and beyond.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Mixing and mastering a HardCore Punk album for Low Rollers, mixing and programming drums for a black metal album for Fenn, mixing and mastering an electronic album for Jnana, engineering sound at live shows
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Best of both worlds, neither can truly substitute the other
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The fact that I can immerse myself in it for days on end and feel truly alive
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: "Do you control the music?"
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Let's have a conversation, tell me what you have and what you expect me to provide for you.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Neumann U87, MacBook Pro, Pye TVT SM8, Genelec Monitors, Harrison Premium I/O
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started as a 4 year old trying to record a keyboard and the sounds of nature to tape.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: The passionate one, because we could collaborate on an amazing level and achieve the most
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen to the artist, to the sound and to yourself
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Heavy, as I find it the most challenging. Electronic, usually dark genres. Jazz, R&B
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Extreme adaptivity and truest passion. Projects I work on tend to take over my daily life
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I try to bring out the best of what I receive, be it a source of sound or recorded audio. I strive for reality, soul and highlighting the most important elements of the performance delivered by the artists.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Whatever I find best suited to the presented situation. The best approach is tailored to requirements.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: A pair of great, organic ears. MAC with Protools 11 and Harrison Mixbus 3 utilising a variety of industry standard plugins. And more. 2x 1985 Soundtracs 16 8 16 analogue mixing desks. Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitors, AT Mx50 & AKG k512 Headphones. A range of microphones comprising of Neumann, AKG, Audix, Shure, Superlux and more. Meyer Sound M1D line arrays Planning to purchase a Midas F32 analogue mixing desk for live and studio purposes
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Scott Burns (Sound Engineer). Ray Manzarek (The Doors). Jeff Hanneman (Slayer).
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing / Mastering music. Bringing the best out of the music and helping it shine how it should. Recording. Capturing sounds in a variety of ways to retain the life within them