Michael Fine on SoundBetter

Music is my passion and I've been lucky enough to work on great records which have seen the ears of millions through spotify, apple music, and other platforms.

Every record should shine.

It's absolutely essential that both the artist and I have a clear vision for record. Working with the artist, I know the decision I make will be those which will best project their vision.

From Rnb, Pop, Funk, and Hip hop. Music is my home.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

4 Reviews

Endorse Michael Fine

by Chloe
A wonderfully dedicated person to work with. Has amazing gear and always works in a timely fashion.
by Daniel Grinshteyn
Michael was a pleasure to deal with. He was a true professional and an unbelievable producer. Cannot wait to work with him again.
by Trevor Ellman
Michael is an absolute magician in the studio. Is able to clearly understand the feeling and direction that I’ve wanted to go. On top of being a great producers he’s also a great host. The place comfortable and inviting.
by Jeremy Schmetterer
Michael is one of the best producers and engineers I’ve worked with since moving to Los Angeles. He has a fantastic studio space, he is quick, efficient and is great at writing parts and matching the exact vibe I’m looking for in a record. On top of that, he is a seasoned mixing engineer and one of the best vocal engineers I’ve ever worked with. I absolutely recommend working with him if you want serious, professional results.

Interview with Michael Fine

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Honey - The Motel Brothers and Katie Buxton I wrote this and produced this with my friend jeremy when I was living in his couch a few years ago. It's done super well for us but that aside it was really just a turning point for me as a professional, I realized I could play in the big leagues. My role was writting, recording vocals, producing, mixing.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Song for a bunch of artist which I can't really discuss as well as some stuff for myself which I'm rather excited about.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Jeremy Schmetterer Amazing guitarist and always delivers on time.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Mixed, analog is nice for summing, digital is nice well for everything else.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is I will do my best no matter what to make sure you love what we work on. I know it will sound good but it's important it sounds how you inviisoned as well.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Seeing how happy people are when they hear their mix for the first time. It's just a fantastic dopamine rush when you share something both people are super excited about.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How many streams has music you worked on gotten? Think I'm somewhere around 10m these days but I stopped counting as it doesn't help me make better music. Where are you from? I am from NY hence my love for hip hop, jazz, and pop.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Too often people call me a "Genius" bc they don't understand what I do. Everything comes down to practice and taste, I love music and always have, I've always strived to make stuff as great as the stuff that's inspired me but people seem to think I was born with the skills instead of being super passionate about sound and music.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is the goal? What do we want it to feel like? When do we need it done by? How many stems is it? What types of music do you like?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Know what you are looking for, and ask how the individuals skills can benefit your project in particular.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I mean, kinda odd question, I guess I'd need a solar powered generator.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: From music, to buisness, and back. I've been producing since I can remember but I've been mixing and producing music professionally for 5 years now.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Like Rice Krispies Snap Crackel and Pop Honestly I like snappy drums, and good feels and textures.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Too many to count. I don't really fanboy too much but sessions with bruno mars don't seem like the worst time.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen, don't look. At the end of the day no one sees how a song is made they only hear it, bc a snare is supposed to be this, should it be for this song?
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, hip hop, pop rocks etc.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Being honest, even when it's hardest. Art is art, if something is beautiful and I don't think it needs me, I'll be honest with the client up front and refer them to someone besides myself who could better do the work. That being said, I'm pretty damn good at mixing and producing music as well as recording and producing vocals. People I've worked with and I are pretty damn proud of our results as independent artists. No promotions or anhthjng and the music is heard.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Sound design, mixing expirence, and a result oriented form of production which I think isn't often seen. It's about how the proud we are of the final project, not does it sound like x.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Work always starts the same way it ends; Listening is the the key. I begin by hearing what the project is, what it means, what it should feel/sound like. I then discuss with the artist and make sure we both agree with a goal before we move forward. Then I give it a nice rough mix and figure out if I think there are any missing productions elements that would really help tie the track together. Then discuss with the artist before moving forward. Once the production and rough mix are done, I work on the full mix which takes me a week. I will send the artist the mix and revisions begin. Once revisions are done and we're both excited about the project, we discuss mastering options and finish it off for the world to hear.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: DAC = apollo 8xp Monitors = Genelex 8330s w/sub and focal trio 6be Synths = Juno 106 and Moog subsequent 37 Plug ins = Slate, Fabfilter, Arturia, NI, WAVs, UAD..... Controller = NI S88 Drum machines = Mashcine and Ravo-O-lution 309 Guitar = PRS Cu 24 Mics = Slate VMS, bluebird, and seinhisser stage mic
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I mean, this is a crazy question, so many to count. Everything from the 20s til today. I grew up playing jazz so loved Charlie Parker, Dizzie etc I grew up learning from Rick Ruben, pharrell, and kanye's production and mixing techniques. Listened to a ton of hip hop and pop (usher, beyonce, bruno) And I still try and listen to new stuff as often as I can because music inspires me, there are too many greats to count.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My clients usually come to me with a rough song and I add production elements I think are missing and being the mix to a radio ready level. We discuss the project continuously until we are both happy with the final product.