Engineer/Producer/ Studio too

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

A: When I was a kid my brother loved The Minutemen a seminal Punk band from San Pedro, we lived in Ny. I got to Engineer a bunch of songs with Minuteman Bassist Mike Watt and when he asked me to record his Autobiographical record, Contemplating the Engine Room , I was pumped. We recorded at Front Page on a Neve 8108, and Ampex Tape. The band was Nels Cline on guitar and Stephen Hodges in Drums. We made it like a movie , no breaks and with sound effect interludes so I linked ProTools and Analog Tape and mixed it in an SSL 4064 at Aire La studios, my former home . My role was Recording And Mix Engineer and SFX recordist . It was released on Columbia and unfortunately didn’t sell many copies, but still a favorite of mine

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Shane Cassidy EP Single and a B Side Vol 2 Peter Childs Delaney Holland

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

A: I am new to SoundBetter so I will be back to this

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both . For Editing, manipulation and fine Dynamic, Eq Tunings, the computer beats Tape. But For all Recording and Mixing I use Analog chains for the excitement factor of seeing the lights and meters move and Oh the smell of Tubes !

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

A: I won’t be Happy til You are Happy

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love listening to music and it’s that Love that brings me back to the studio for over 30 years.

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

A: Tell me about your studio gear, I tell them Analog and Digital Hybrid Studio using my channel strips from my favorite consoles and Tubes and more tubes .

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

A: That I am a Wizard

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Is this a Photograph or a Full On painting ? Meaning do you want a recording of you at that moment with no extras or a production that has many layers and ideas .

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

A: My advice is practice and practice some more if you want to have a great performance and that will yield a wonderful recording. I move fast and am inspired and that inspiration may ask that you change or add to your songs, be flexible

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

A: Requisite Audio Y7 Universal Audio 4-710d Avalon 747 Yamaha NS10 /Yamaha P2002 Telefunken M80

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

A: Moved to La in 1984 loving Cars,Girls and Music. Went to a 10 week course and got my first job at a radio commercial recording studio. Learned to edit tape there and I was off and running . 11 years in Los Angeles working in the Best Studios including Aire La, Encore, Crystal, A&M..... 34 years at this.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Punchy to Pretty , fast and flexible, passionate...intelligible Mixes

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

A: The next James Brown, Quincey Jones, Jimmy Page, John Coltrane... Or= Meshell Ndgeocello Why She plays Live and curates and dictates the flow and groove and melody as a team player ...sweet vocals and an all the colors human being

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: For Rock, Record at least 3 takes of Vocals and blend them lower than the main. Adds thickness and randomness.

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

A: Rock,Folk,HipHop,Jazz, Classical,Country, Funk to Punk...basically all genres

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: People skills. I understand the psychological motions of an artist and provide a safe space for them to let loose the emotions and put em to song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring an emotional mix with peaks and valleys and a 3D sense of movement to the song . I make intros, intros and Breakdowns in songs that don’t have those.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I record into Presonus Studio One with great Mics and PreAmps. I edit and bring Tonal and Sonic depths to songs .

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My Analog Digital studio is housed in a Chevrolet StepVan that was previously the Humboldt County Evidence Van. I come to your house, rehearsal studio or outside venue.

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

A: As an Engineer / Producer the type of work I do is to Record and Mix and objectively critique the performances, and arrangements.

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

A: Prince to Joe Chicarelli,