Mixing and mastering

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup was designed to be visually appealing as well as having a comfortable vibe for artists to feel relaxed in while being able to tackle main needs from each artist in it.

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

A: The Santa Muerte album from the rock band First Class Trash. They've been my music idol since 2013 with having such an abrasive and unconventional yet powerful sound. They sound how I'd love to someday with my own material :) My role was mixing and mastering as well as some additional vocal tracking at my studio with the vocalist.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Purposeful and hard hitting with depth and dimension. I use those words because whether I'm working on metal or a soft ballad, they still apply and I look to make the nuances and overall message of the song as impactful as possible

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Finishing an electronic rock album for a band from Vegas

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

A: Nate Perry

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either one, it's all about personal preference and what gets someone the sound THEY want whether its one or both. For me it's digital.

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

A: To make sure they get the best possible product that either matches or surpasses what they heard in their head. I work purposefully to make each song/EP/album have the quality the artist deserves.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Seeing people excited about their project coming together and how much they how it's sounding both during and after completion :) I'll never get tired of that.

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

A: Usually questions in regards to rates and pricing for the project and if it's something I'm able to or willing to do. Pricing and rates are estimated within the first session or two, whether mixing for a remote client or working in the same physically space so I can see the quality of the product I'm working with and what someone's general abilities are.

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

A: I'm not sure if there are any! I'm sure someone could think one extreme or the other about it but it honestly doesn't bother me

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: It changes a bit in regards to the client and job but I generally ask what their goals are with their project, if there are any deadlines, and I feel out their abilities (if it's someone I'm recording) so I can plan what needs to be done in the future with them. Basically I make sure everything stays as organized and stress-free as possible throughout the process.

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

A: Shop around and make sure someone is able to highlight your strengths but also able to compensate and help you through the weaker points to give you a solid product. Do you feel excited about your music when talking to them or do you not feel very confident in putting it in their hands?

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

A: Computer, my Schecter Hellraiser, Eleven Rack, speakers, and mic.

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

A: It's been as a music producer and one man band. I've been involved with music for 13 years but doing it professionally for 8

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

A: I've already been given the opportunity to work with one of my biggest musical inspirations and it's been an enormous honor and privilege :) Outside of them, Bret from Blue Stahli would be fun!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I'll do two! Creating contrast in your song or mix through the continuous removing and adding of various elements or layers goes a LONG way in a listener's appeal in a song. Second, mix quietly and pay attention to how you interpret and hear the balance of your song as a whole and what elements drown or overpower everything else and then go and adjust accordingly

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

A: Rock and metal

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Helping turn the artist's/band's vision into a product they can be proud of. I make sure it meets their specifications before adding the final 5-10% of the "glossy finish"

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I make sure the emotional strong points of each song are emphasized throughout the process of tracking/recording, mixing and post production to add the final 10% to make the end product hit as hard as possible or shine as brightly as it can.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For remote clients, I request that stems be organized and of decent quality but I'm also able to take less than ideal source material and make it usable through some creative editing. For physical clients in studio, I try to make sure the environment is relaxed but conducive to creative output and enjoying the process of recording, production, etc.

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

A: Musicians: First Class Trash, JayRay, Linkin Park and too many others to name. Producers: Jacob Hansen, Buster Odeholm, Joey Sturgis, Joel Wanasek

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

A: I balance between working with clients remotely as well as in my studio doing full production for local artists