Music Production, Mixing

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

A: Sometimes people think that I can make them a star but I do only the musical part of the artist. I don't do anything related to artist image and PR. Also often people don't distinguish the difference between Producer and Investor.

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

A: I'm diving more and more into pop and funk since those genres allow me to experiment with sounds and grooves, perfectly fitting my minimalistic approach to producing. So any artist within this genre is a kind of blessing to work on.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Shure. Enable your master bus processing first. This will save you lots of time and will make mixes more cohesive.

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

A: pop-rock and electronic pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Responsibility. I always do my best when I do the project cause if you don't there is no challenge and you are stuck at the same level. Always raise the bar.

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

A: The starting point in my career was working in "Alex Fokin RadioBand" back in 2007 as a sound-engineer (studio editing, stageman, monitoring engineer). I was involved in such projects as DVD Schiller 2008 (Part "Live in Kyiv"), shows with “Schiller”, Freddy Ravel, Walfredo Reyes. After that, I was fortunate enough to work in "Studio 211" since 2009 in Kyiv as a recording engineer/editor with such bands as Dymna Sumish, Liapis Trubetskoy, etc. Then, I've opened my own recording studio/rehearsal place "kHz records". Please, go to my SoundCloud links to check out my works. Now I live in Berlin, compose new music, play with different musicians. For me it's not just another job, it is an inspiration and collaboration which helps me grow.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I do pretty detailed and polished mixes that are not too loud and retain all the dynamics.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my clarity, certainly my sound. Generally, I try to retain dynamics and don't squash mixes until asked. But It is important to negotiate RMS levels right after rough so that you know how much to push the mix.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Usually, I do a rough mix as soon as possible and send it to the client for feedback. Then I do more detailed version of the chosen direction and send it again. Afterward, I do any needed automation moves and send for revision the third time. I must admit that the more communication happens the better it is.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use a hybrid setup. 24 of Pro Tools HW Inserts allow me to seamlessly hook all my gear. Everything is set up pretty constant according to my template and every bit of gear is used. Unused gear goes to eBay. Things that I really tweak are done ITB. I also have my old and Modded Allen & Heath GS3000 Console witch sounds dope. If I really want to I can mix through it too. But I do it rarely and mostly use its EQs as HW inserts too.

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

A: Chris Lord-Alge for his mixing speed and attitude. Andy Wallace for the clean and punchy sound. Al Schmitt for his perfectionism. Chad Blake for the sound of my favorite rock records. Jack Joseph Puig for esthetics.

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

A: Mostly I do full music production services. Occasionally Mixing.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I need references before I start doing any job. And it is not because I want to copy the sound, but rather to have the specific stylistic feel.

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

A: Hire me if you are looking for my sound. If you don't hire somebody else. But this is absolutely great. That is why we have so many musicians and producers that create in an absolutely different manner.

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

A: PC, UAD interface, SSL Fusion, Fender Telecaster, Fender Precision Bass