Ben James on SoundBetter

Mixing Engineer, Mastering Engineer, Producer, Songwriter, Vocal Editor/Tuner, Vocalist and Guitarist from NYC

Hi!

I'm Ben from NYC. I learned to mix and master through Berklee College of Music where I was highly regarded by mixing professor David Lefkowitz who said that "Ben's mixes always sound pro and have great clarity and balance." I also offer full production services and have an extensive background as a composer and producer.

I have experience in all genres and can send more samples if you would like them. I'm the lead singer and songwriter for the indie band "Beecher's Fault" and the producer/songwriter for several other projects. I also am the founder of the indie label Benibu Records.

I look forward to working on your songs!

Ben

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

99 Reviews - 18 Repeat Clients

Endorse Ben James

by Callie S.
Verified
Loved working with Ben once again. Very satisfied!
by Alex M.
Verified
This was my first song as a songwriter and first time working with Ben. The entire process has been absolutely amazing and the finished product was even better. I simply could not believe my ears when I heard the first mix he created (which is pretty much nailed on the first try). He’s immensely talented and worked with me to give ideas, propose changes or ask for updates to send him so the song would sound better. I’m so happy with the finished product. It makes me want to keep making music.
by Callie S.
Verified
Love working with Ben. He makes the process so easy and has lots of good ideas. Highly recommend.
by Callie S.
Verified
Great to work with Ben again. Very responsive and talented.
by Dane t.
Verified
Loved working with Ben! Mixing+Mastering was clear and balanced as advertised! Extremely detail-oriented informing me of the specifics of the adjustments made during revisions. Would definitely recommend!
by SUVÉ
Verified
Ben mastered my 5 song EP and it sounds incredible! You can expect great communication, professionalism, and high quality audio from his work. He’s determined to get the job done.
by Callie S.
Verified
Very easy process working with Ben. Always happy with the results.
by Keith M.
Verified
Excellent to work with Ben once again. He's always so supportive and collaborative and has a speedy turnaround on mixing/mastering tracks. He has a great ear for balancing a song with many tracks and finds ways to make each instrument or vocal part shine. Can't wait to work with him on a future song!
by SUVÉ
Verified
Very satisfied with Ben's professional touch for mastering. Great communication as well.
by SUVÉ
Verified
Just received an incredible master from Ben. He was able to take the sound of the mix and translate it to work great on all my playback systems, including TV. He even offered to do the instrumental master of my song for free. Thank you again for what you do!
by Callie S.
Verified
Great working with Ben.
by Nick G.
Verified
Ecxcellent as always, thanks Ben!
by Saral N.
Verified
Ben is a superstar! Very fast, very responsive, highly recommended!
by Nick G.
Verified
Great as always - a happy repeat customer! Thanks Ben!
by Ethan Lock
Verified
Ben is an absolute blessing to work with. He’s creative, patient, and super talented. I always look forward to working with him!
by Jim M.
Verified
Ben mixed and mastered my song with tracks recorded in a few different home studios and made it sound professional and commercial quality like it was recorded in a pro studio. Simply outstanding! It only took one revision but Ben was willing to do multiple revisions if necessary to get the sound I wanted. I very highly recommend him.
by Late July
Verified
Super great to work with him, great ear and took notes well. Really appreciated the effort he put into the mix!
by Soft W.
Verified
Ben delivered a creative and incredibly detailed mix and master. He somehow turned a messy project into an actual song! He is meticulous and noticed things with our stems that we didn't even notice. Honestly can't recommend him enough. Incredible value for money!
by Nick G.
Verified
Another great job, lovely to work with, and happy to work to my tight timescale. Thanks Ben!
by Marcio
Verified
Ben is a fantastic professional!
He improved my song in a way I never imagined it would be possible.
Highly recommended!

Interview with Ben James

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Many mixes and masters as well as a new album of my own
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Rachel Gawell - cello, strings, vocals, songwriting
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The creative decisions that go into a mix/master/production
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Modern, Crisp, Balanced
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Indie, Indie-pop, Pop, Hip Hop, Rock, Country
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I start by organizing all the tracks I have into separate busses and categories. From there I sort through and figure out if anything needs drastic editing or replacing before I start the mix. Next I get drums and bass sounding nice before then diving into the rest of the instruments and finally the vocals.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I mostly do mixing, mastering and producing for clients but love to get involved in the writing process too. I also track guitars, bass, synths and can program drums.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Depends on the project and the sound that the client is trying to achieve.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I studied music in undergrad, then was mostly working on my own music for years, then went back to school for mixing/production and now I produce and mix other artists.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you make my song sound awesome? Yes. Provided that what we start with is awesome. Are your vocal takes clean and well recorded? Do your drums sound decent? No matter who mixes your song, if what comes in isn't good then the final product won't be good.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: "Don't Ask for More" by Beecher's Fault. I wrote, recorded, produced, mixed and mastered this song.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That I'll work hard to ensure you are satisfied and will be open and receptive to your edits
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it's easy
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Who do you want to sound like? Who don't you want to sound like?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Talk to me! I can send more examples of my work your way.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My guitar, my interface, my laptop, a mic, cables
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Bon Iver - their productions are incredible
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Use EQ in a SUBTRACTIVE way first!
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Getting a clear, clean, and punchy mix.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Energy, punch, and clarity.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work with an apple computer, Logic Pro X, many, many software plugins and a UAD interface.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Lately I'm very inspired by Finneas O'Connell (producer for Billie Eilish)