Mixing and Mastering Engineer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both - because you should always use what’s at your disposable to achieve the best possible result.

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

A: The best possible quality. I don’t put my name on anything that I’ve not given 100% to, so I’ll use all the best skills, tools, plug-ins etc I have to help your song achieve it’s full potential. I see people charging extra for using ‘premium plug-ins’, ‘vocal tuning’ or ‘analog hardware’ but that’s all standard for me. My pricing structure only depends on the amount of tracks i.e the size of project therefore the time it will take to complete, but I never penalise or charge extra for quality. For me it’s either 100% or none at all.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What’s the vision? I usually ask clients to supply about 3 ‘reference songs’. These could be songs that directly inspired the creative process, songs with similar elements they like or songs they want their final master to sound similar to.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Clean and crisp vocals on top of smooth instrumentation with drums knocking.

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

A: Mac Miller. Never will be able to but no other music speaks to me like Mac’s.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Plenty! One of the most important ones has to be GAIN STAGING. Set your levels early: give yourself at least 6dB or more headroom and you’ll be able to do everything you want in a song and make it sound good before even adding any fx. Just playing with levels and some panning is the key to a great song.

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

A: I come from a background of hip-hop, rap, trap etc when it comes to producing and mixing. I have done a decent amount of work on RnB, Soul and Gospel, but more from a production rather than mixing side.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Realising creative vision. An idea is just an idea until you can make it happen. Many people have great creative vision but lack the technical ability and patience. I work persistently until I make it happen.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: What’s needed and lacking. Sometimes it’s some creative input to make the song more interesting and original, other times it’s the technical knowledge and ability to bring to fruition a creative vision. These are both achievable through either production and/or mix & master.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Universal Audio Apollo Twin Interface, Neumann TLM 102, Logic Pro X, NI Maschine, Yamaha electric piano, Universal Audio/Antares Auto-Tune/Waves/SoundToys Bundle/Izotope/Arturia and other plug-ins

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

A: Normally I work with clients in person. We get into the studio and either work on a track from scratch, pick up an idea the artist has started or a pre-made beat. I track the vocals through my Apollo Twin interface and then go away, do additional production if necessary (such as playing some more instruments, tightening up the drums, changing arrangement) and mix and master the track. When mixing and mastering online, clients normally reach out via social media or get my number via a referral. Upon agreement of work, I send instructions along on how to prepare a song for mixing and then schedule a phone or video call to discuss the vision. We remain in touch through the process and usually within 3 revisions the client is satisfied with the final product.