Composer, Produce Mix & Master

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

A: I cant disclose because i am under NDA

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I cant tell you.

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

A: Saad Ayub.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog, because it sounds better.

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

A: The promise is quality work, and I will not let you down by rushing the job by compromising quality. If it takes longer than promised, its because i have pride in my work, If they are upset about it, i give them a percentage off the next project they hire me for.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Making clients happy, and when my fans hear the music I make under my artist name, receiving feedback of how much they enjoy it... Its humbling and feels really good.

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

A: How long will it take you to finish the job? I try to set expectations with a buffer time for changes and make sure that they aren't in a hurry. If they need a very quick turn around time on something that is alot of work, i will politely refuse taking on the job.

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

A: Client's think the job is easy and that it takes no time at all. They always want a deal and don't understand the time it takes to do a good job or how much the time and expertise is worth. especially with a seasoned producer and engineer. Also another one is when people ask me what i do for a living they say "oh wow cool you must be LOADED" well in some cases thats true, but it's really a constant grind to keep work coming in to make a living.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: It depends on whether they want mastering, a mixdown, an orchestral composition, a full instrumental track, or a ghost production. From there i will ask questions like, which style are you looking for the song to be? I'm assuming you have a reference track or two correct? If not please provide a few so I can properly servce you. This also applies to mixing and mastering. Otherwise its a complete shot in the dark. It will ultimately set us both up for failure and waste a lot of time. A reference track isn't cheating..and im not going to copy it. Major engineers in hollywood and all over the world use reference tracks to get levels right in order to deliver the best product for the client.

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

A: Please take my advice and let me guide you through the process, Be specific about what you are looking for, don' tell me you aren' really sure what you want because i am not going to guess. Come prepared, be specific and allow me to do my job.

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

A: I can't even answer the question. lol. no comment.

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

A: I started as a ghost producer for quite a few people and that was very sustainable for a llong time. I also produced my own songs and did collaborations with other artists. in 2004 i Markus Schulz and I were nominated for a Grammy for our song Clear Blue which was invluded on the Paul Oakenfold Creamfields compilation. I've been doing this for over 20 years and i'm not slowing down. I absolutely love it.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Uplifting, emotional, at times dark, brooding, heavy, ambient, hypnotizing, and definitely not cheesy.

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

A: Dont do this to me lol. There are so many great artists, i would have to say Hans Zimmer, because he is my favorite Film Composer and 9 times out of 10 his music takes me on a journey and i get completely lost ... it helps me escape from reality and it helps me take a break from the routines of life.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When you are working on music keep your mixer faders at -12 db's for ":headroom". This will allow for a very clean mixdown with no distortion.

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

A: I work on many styles. My favorite is electronic music but I love orchestral film and tv music alot. Occasionally i'll get experimental and have some fun making something totally different, generally i consider myself very versatile.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Writing a strong melody and keeping a song in key without any off color notes. i could list more skills but you only asked for one :-)

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I am classically trained and have 20 years or more of experience, and have worked with some of the biggest artists in the world and have spent time in studios working with some of the most talented people. That experience is not something you can buy or go to school for. Being out in the field and witnessing those moments and working along side other artists who show you their way of working sharpens your skills and therefor makes you even better and being in the room to experience those moments is more valuable than anything. I bring not only the years of classical training, piano lessons and organ lessons, and playing by ear and natural ability to compose, but also learning from the professionals and really popular and talented artists ive had the pleasure to be around. Im very grateful and lucky.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: There is no specific way of working, sometimes i will begin by opening a virtual instrument and finding a sound and then playing on the keyboard while going through presets until something inspires me to write a melody or theme. I then start building the track from there and everything comes together layer by later.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run an apple Mac Pro, with 2 30 inch screens. An antelope audio 64 bit analog audio interface with a word-clock that eliminates digital distortion which allows for the highest quality audio possible. It is very high end and rivals a Pro Tools studio setup. I have Cubase, Logic Pro, Ableton Live for my digital audio workstations. Plugin Alliance bundle, Fabfilter, U-HE suite, Serum, Spire, Native Instruments, Orchestral Libraries, and a list of plugins that is too long to name. I run everything in the box and the quality of the end result is as good as any professional recording studio in the world.

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

A: Armin van Buuren, Timbaland, Hans Zimmer, Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten, Pharrell, Tale of Us, Tiesto, and honestly there are too many artists and producers to name. I am inspired by so many artists and very many things it's difficult to answer this question with a pointed answer.

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

A: Mastering, Mixing, Electronic Music Production, Classical Orchestral Music, Full Instrumental Track, Editing, Vocal Processing.