Mixing & Mastering

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

A: I am super proud of It's OK (Live Maple House Sessions) by Nightbirde! I recorded and mixed that song and it hit #1 in 5 countries on iTunes and #3 on a Billboard chart!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Teddy Swims and other projects for Maple House Sessions!

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

A: ME!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! Analog is great for musicality, warmth, weight, and digital is great for recalling mixes and being able to transport it anywhere!

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

A: You'll get the best possible mix I can! If I'm unable to achieve what you want, I'm not afraid of letting go of the reigns and being honest. I want what's best for the music. If I get into a project and it's fighting with me (which happens to every mixing engineer from time to time) I will gladly refer them to someone I think can crush it!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I loveeeee seeing my clients light up and freak out when they hear the final mix! It's so unbelievably satisfying to exceed their expectations and see their work come to life!

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

A: How'd you get my vocals to sound like that!? Magic.

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

A: I think mixing itself is the biggest misconception. Most people have no idea what goes into making a song sound amazing!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. What gets them excited about their music? 2. What commercially released material do you really enjoy that you're trying to emulate? 3. What are your goals for your music and your career?

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

A: My biggest piece of advice when hiring any type of professional mixing or mastering engineer is this... Look at the price as an investment in YOURSELF. This is your art, your story, your baby. Hire someone who is going to treat it the same and invest in yourself!

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

A: This is the easiest question ever!! Neve 1073, UA1176, LA-2A, Elysia Alpha Compressor, SSL Bus Compressor

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

A: I have a unique path! I was a Division 1 Baseball player in college but played music my entire life. When my career ended, I went to Middle Tennessee State University and was accepted into their famed Recording Industry program! I became obsessed with the production side of music and decided that this was the field I wanted to go into! I've been doing this for a little over a decade now!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is very much "make a decision, move on and come back later to refine everything"! I work try to work pretty fast initially to get my gut reactions completed in a mix and from there I'll add all the 'candy' to sweeten it up!

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

A: I would love to work with Loote! They are a pop duo and I really love their music! So much so that I was in the top .05% of their listeners last year according to my Spotify 'Wrapped'!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Absolutely! Automation Automation Automation! Your mix needs to have movement - whether that's volume, panning, or EQ movement! Make it interesting. Highlight certain things at different points in the mix. Do a volume ride on a drum build into a chorus. Be creative!

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

A: Anything and everything but I enjoy working on Pop the most!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening! I have a very complex ear for listening - definitely one of my strongest attributes as a mixing and mastering engineer. This is very helpful in mixing or mastering which allows me to dial in the perfect balance! It's also helpful when I give mix critiques to aspiring mixing engineers - which tend to be 3-4 pages long!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A clear, creative perspective. Sometimes 'demo-itis' sets in so deep that an artist can't visualize where their song can actually go! I have a unique take on songs and a few secret weapons in my arsenal that will make your production pop!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My assistant edits and preps my session so I can have full, creative juices flowing while mixing or mastering! I will typically finish a mix within a couple of hours, sit on it for a day, come back and make final changes before sending it off for review!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a recording studio in Atlanta, Georgia! It consists of a solid control room, live room and vocal booth! It translates VERY well to the outside world and it's my home away from home! I have a myriad of plugins and gear that I use on a daily basis to ensure I'm mixing bangers!!

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

A: I love the work of Chris Lord Alge, Andrew Scheps, Joe Baressi, Vance Powell, and Zedd to name a few! We can all learn something from someone but these people really helped shape how I tackle things in post-production!

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

A: Mixing and Mastering!