Production, Mixing & Mastering

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

A: I had to produce the anthem of Magic Planet - a theme park in the UAE. The plan was to create the song of samples I recorded in the park. I really enjoyed this experimental way of doing music, as I had to imagine the sounds that I was looking for, and figure out how can I produce them on the location. It also reminded me to the old times, when samplers were the new stuff in the 80's so bands like Depeche Mode used to do the same experiments.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a chill-out album and ghost production of electronic music tracks.

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

A: I'm new here, so for now I'd recommend myself first:)

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I'm a fan of analog, but digital is more practical these days.

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

A: I never had sad clients. I never give out anything out of my hand, til the client is happy.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That I create something new.

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

A: They: - How much is to produce a song? (without additional details) Me: - It depends.

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

A: People think that mastering is the magic, but it's production and mixing. The other common thing (true story!) that some people want to come to record their vocals, but it turns out that they don't have the song :) I never understood this, they may think I have all the instrumentals of the world with me.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your goal? Can you share some examples of tracks you really like? (melodically, sound-wise etc.)

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

A: Try to be well-organized, so we can achieve results faster. If you have a vision or a reference track or more tracks, share it, so I can understand you better.

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

A: My Macbook Pro, the UAD Apollo, my monitors, my HD with my samples and a Virus TI keyboard.

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

A: I got my first synth when I was 13, since then I produce music. My first released song as a composer was released by Universal Music when I was 18. Since then I've been working with music - I used to work for Korg, Yamaha and Shure, where I made various demos for fares and exhibitions, presenting the latest technologies. My first international release happened at the age of 21, and it went up on the UK charts. Now I teach DJing and music production in my studio as well.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Melodic, groovy and focused on emotions.

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

A: Alan Wilder is a big inspiration, I'm still amazed how he developed the sound of Depeche Mode in the 80's.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less can be more. If you can't hear something in the mix, there's no need for that channel in that specific time.

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

A: Usually electronic music from the range of chill-out to deep house and house music. In other times I do stock music as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Production. I've been using Cubase for 20 years, it's in my fingers.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I can be a one-man show, from starting to finishing a song including vocal lines and lyrics, but I like to work with songwriters, so I can focus more on the production part.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I'm very organized, I created my templates to start different projects.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The core of the studio is a Universal Audio Apollo Quad with a Satellite Quad to have enough DSP power. I use a mix of hardware and software synths. For virtual analog sounds I use a Virus TI, for real analog a Waldorf Pulse 2. I have the Native Instruments Komplete Ultimate Collector's Edition and Maschine as well, plus the main VSTi's like Sylenth and Serum. The DAW is always the latest Cubase, but I have the latest Ableton Live as well.

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

A: There are many, I respect all professionals in different genres, even if I don't listen to all of them. In my car I listen to Depeche Mode, Paul Van Dyk, EDX, Nora En Pure or chill-out music.

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

A: Many people ask me for mixing and mastering, but it turns out that they need help in production, so that's what I do the most.