Mixing, producing & mastering

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

A: A local musician with a long career passed away and I was asked to complete an album that had been recorded on differing equipment over several years. It was 440 tracks of material covering 16 songs. I worked on this in my spare time for a little over 8 months. It turned out great and his family and friends really enjoyed the completed CD. It is a CD of fun Americana tunes. I mixed and mastered the project.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Finished an LP for a band and am now doing a mix for someone.

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

A: Not yet!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both... what a cop out huh? Right tool for the right job ! I use both types of gear everyday.

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

A: Satisfaction guaranteed. Communications, collaboration and a successful recording.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The music and the people I get to work with.

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

A: Can I make them sound like "x." My answer is; I can make you sound tonally like "x" but I hope to make you sound like you at your absolutely professional best!

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

A: That it is easy! Gear is not everything for sure! Experience, good listening (to client) skills are the key elements of success. Experience... oh yeah, I said that...!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your vision...talk to me! When can we start...

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

A: Talk it out upfront.. Tell us what you need and want... Let's communicate and work together.

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

A: Acoustic guitar, mic and chord, 24 track portable deck, monitors and a small generator.

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

A: Wow! OK... here is the long and short of it. 26 years and counting...

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Personal style = Fun, kind and passionate - - Technical style = Clean, full and precise.

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

A: James Taylor - I would have loved to have recorded and mixed "Another Grey Morning." It is a great song that really can be great! Also Keb Mo and Alison Krauss.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Loudness is not everything! I mix to -14 lufs and adjust and render for each playback target if possible. Your result needs to sound dynamic, be lush, yet tight and spacious....all at the same time! It can be done!

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

A: Indie pop lately with a fair share of Americana, Celtic and Rock. Also doing a bit of Audio for TV.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Communication with my client, focus on their vision, sonic results.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Experience and a smooth ear. I mix for quality, depth, clarity, feel. With passion!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Review work and samples, discuss with client, edit, mix, review, client advice, mix, review, finalize. review...release!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have about a 1000 square foot facility that we built in our basement many years ago. I have a vocal booth, ambient drum room and a large room for tracking up to 6 fully set up musicians.

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

A: Roger Nichols and Al Schmidt. Also, the drum sounds that Nirvana used to get on their early recordings.

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

A: Mixing, editing, recording, mastering music and a bit of audio for TV shows.