Producer, Mixing Engineer

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

A: So many amazing professionals!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A new Caydus album :)

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I love most about my job is the creative process—taking an idea, whether it’s a rough demo or just a melody, and transforming it into a fully realized song. It’s incredibly rewarding to collaborate with artists, help them express their vision, and bring out the best in their music. I also love the challenge of finding the perfect balance between technical precision and emotional impact. Seeing a song come together, knowing it has the potential to connect with people on a deep level, is an amazing feeling. Every project is unique, and that keeps the work exciting and inspiring.

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

A: One of the most common questions I get is, "Can you help make my song sound radio-ready?" My answer is always, "Absolutely. I specialize in taking songs to that level by refining the arrangement, improving the mix, and ensuring the production meets commercial standards without losing the song’s authenticity or emotional core." Another frequent question is, "How long will it take to finish my project?" My response is, "It depends on the scope of the work, but I prioritize quality over rushing the process. I’ll provide you with a realistic timeline upfront, and I’m always transparent about where we are in the production process." Clients also ask, "Can you work in [specific genre]?" My answer is, "Yes. While my expertise lies in pop, I’ve worked across many genres and love exploring new styles. My focus is on understanding the unique demands of your project and tailoring my approach to suit it perfectly." These conversations are an important part of building trust and ensuring that my clients feel confident in the process.

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

A: The biggest misconception about what I do is that music production is just about pressing buttons or applying technical skills. While the technical side is important, a huge part of my work is about understanding the artist’s vision, tapping into the emotion of the song, and bringing it to life in a way that connects with listeners.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: -What’s the story or emotion you want this song to convey? Understanding the heart of the project helps me shape the production to match your artistic intent. -What references or inspirations do you have in mind? Knowing what styles, artists, or songs resonate with you helps guide the creative process. -Who is your target audience, and where do you see this music being heard? Whether it’s radio, streaming playlists, or live performances, this informs decisions on the arrangement and overall sound. -What’s your timeline and budget? Clear expectations about deadlines and resources help us work efficiently while maintaining quality. -What do you feel is missing or needs improvement in your current song? This helps me focus on the areas where I can provide the most value, whether it’s arrangement, production, mixing, or all of the above.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My work process is designed to flow smoothly from the creative stage to the final polished product. If I’m starting a new song from scratch, I begin in Logic Pro, where I handle all the programming and pre-production. It’s a versatile platform for laying down ideas, building arrangements, and experimenting with sounds. Once the foundation is set, I transition to Pro Tools for tracking and editing audio. This is where I focus on capturing the best performances and refining every detail. Pro Tools is also my platform of choice for mixing and mastering, where I bring everything together to ensure the song sounds cohesive, dynamic, and ready for release.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is fully calibrated with Genelec monitors to ensure accurate sound reproduction, which is critical for mixing and mastering. For audio editing and mixing, I rely on Pro Tools, while Logic Pro is my go-to for production and creative tasks. I have an extensive collection of synthesizers and use high-quality microphones like the Brauner Valvet X and others of a similar caliber to capture exceptional vocal performances. For tracking vocals, my preferred preamp is the Neve 1073DPD, which adds warmth and character to the recordings. The combination of these tools allows me to produce music that is both sonically polished and emotionally impactful.

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

A: My promise is that I will never hold back when it comes to making your music the best it can possibly be. You can trust that I’ll bring my full expertise, passion, and dedication to help your music reach its highest potential.

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

A: My advice would be to look for someone who truly understands your vision and can enhance it, not just execute it. Communication is key—be clear about your goals, references, and expectations for the project, and ensure the provider is equally transparent about their process. Check their track record to see if their work aligns with the quality and style you’re aiming for. Look for versatility and attention to detail in their past projects. For example, I’ve had the privilege of working on award-winning, multi-platinum records, which means I know what it takes to make a song commercially competitive while staying true to the artist’s identity. Ultimately, choose someone who can be a creative collaborator, not just a service provider—someone who will bring out the best in your music and care about the result as much as you do.

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

A: Caydus is my ongoing passion project, and it perfectly embodies everything I love about music—the writing, the arrangements, the mixing, and the overall vibe. I’m deeply involved in every aspect of it as a band member, composer, producer, and mixing engineer. It’s a creative outlet where I can fully express my vision and push boundaries, making it an authentic representation of who I am as an artist and a music professional.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because total recall.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Get the best possible performance and signal quality as early in the process as possible.

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

A: If I were on a desert island, I’d definitely take a piano—there’s something timeless and versatile about it, and it’s where many of my ideas come to life. I’d also take a guitar and a bass so I could experiment with melodies, rhythms, and harmonies across different textures.

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

A: I started with classical and Jazz piano training, which gave me a strong foundation in harmony, melody, and arrangement. That background shaped my approach to music and still influences how I think about production today. I signed my first production contract with Universal at the age of 17 in 2000. However, my breakthrough came when I worked with Sunrise Avenue on their album On the Way to Wonderland a few years later. Producing and arranging that project, especially songs like "Fairytale Gone Bad," introduced me to a global audience and taught me the power of creating music that connects emotionally while remaining commercially successful. Since then, I’ve collaborated with a wide range of artists across genres and countries, from rock and pop to electronic music. Lately, I’ve been working with American artists, which has added new dimensions to my style. It’s been exciting to blend pop sensibilities with more modern and experimental elements while staying true to my core principles of emotional depth and precision. As a producer and sound engineer, I focus on bringing out the best in the artists I work with. I strive to create polished, dynamic productions that feel timeless but fresh. My goal is always to highlight the individuality of the artist and to ensure that the final product resonates deeply with listeners.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is a blend of precision and emotional storytelling. I focus on crafting polished, dynamic productions that balance technical excellence with raw emotion. Working with American artists recently has further shaped my approach, emphasizing a versatility that blends pop sensibilities with modern, genre-bending elements. I strive to bring out the artist's individuality, enhancing their voice while creating a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. Whether it’s a minimalist ballad or a layered, high-energy track, my goal is to ensure that every element serves the song’s story and connects with the listener.

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

A: Sting. I’ve been a long-time fan of his innovative approach to music. His ability to blend pop, jazz, and world music is something I deeply admire, and it aligns with my own philosophy of pushing boundaries in production. As a sound engineer and producer, I think collaborating with him would be a fascinating challenge—bringing out the richness of his arrangements while exploring new textures and dimensions. It would also be a dream to work on vocal dynamics with someone as nuanced and expressive as Sting.

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

A: Primarily pop, but I like to define "pop" broadly—it’s the art of crafting music that connects emotionally while being accessible. My work spans genres like indie pop, electro-pop, and even pop-rock, where I often experiment with unique sonic landscapes. For me, it’s about creating something that feels fresh yet relatable, with production that enhances the narrative of the song. My focus has been on artists who want to deliver emotionally authentic music, which aligns with my strengths in capturing harmony and fine-tuning details.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Harmony, both in the technical and artistic sense. My background as a sound engineer has given me a strong foundation in understanding how harmonies can create emotional impact in a song. Whether it’s layering vocal tracks or blending instrumental sections, I excel at creating harmonic arrangements that elevate a track’s mood. I also bring a meticulous ear for subtle tonal shifts, ensuring the harmonies feel organic and dynamic, rather than mechanical.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: The edge and finishing touch, absolutely. I approach every song with the mindset of what it needs to stand out. Sometimes, it’s a subtle texture in the mix—a haunting pad, a shimmering guitar riff—or a slight shift in arrangement that makes the chorus hit harder. My experience allows me to hear a song's potential and bring that vision to life. I think of myself as the person who polishes the diamond—ensuring it shines as brightly as it can.

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

A: Trevor Horn, Quincy Jones, William Orbit, Massive Attack, and Radiohead have all had a huge influence on me. Trevor Horn’s attention to detail and his transformative approach to production resonate deeply with my own style. Quincy Jones’ ability to bring out the best in every artist he worked with inspires me to create a safe and creative space for collaborators. William Orbit’s atmospheric production techniques have influenced my use of reverb and spatial sound design. Massive Attack’s experimental yet cohesive sound encourages me to take risks, while Radiohead’s ability to continually reinvent themselves challenges me to do the same.

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

A: I primarily arrange and produce songs, but that encompasses a lot more than just putting together tracks. My role often involves taking raw ideas—sometimes just a melody or a rough demo—and building an entire sonic world around them. This includes everything from arranging harmonies and instrumentation to mixing and final production. I also serve as a creative partner, helping artists refine their vision and ensuring that every element of the track supports the story they’re trying to tell. It’s not just about making music that sounds good—it’s about making music that resonates.