Mike Smith on SoundBetter

My music has had over 1 billion streams (5 Million Units Sold), 5 Number 1 Billboard Charting Albums, 3 Top 10 Singles, I am the star of BET's One Shot with Sway, TI, and DJ Khaled on BET Plus. I love Analog, I own some of the best gear of all time including Vintage Neve Preamps, Pultecs, Otari Tape Machine, LA2As, and 1176s all waiting for you!

I have produced, mixed, performed, and written for numerous artists across many genres. I have worked with Juicy J, Gilby Clarke of Guns n Roses, RZA from Wu Tang Clan, TI, members of Dave Matthews Band, Royce Da 5'9", DJ Khaled, and Twista just to name a few artists. I am offering my mixing and producing services with access to the greatest gear of all time that I have in my personal studio. I can make your music sound like it was recorded at one of the greatest studios.

From a session work perspective I have done extensive studio work as an Acoustic Guitarist, Electric Guitarist, Vocalist, and Bass Guitarist.

I am currently most interested in Mixing, Producing, and session work for Rock, Country, Americana, Alternative, Singer Songwriter, Christian, or Pop Artists.

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Credits

2 Reviews

Endorse Mike Smith

by Elliot James Mulhern Mastering
Verified (Client)
LOVE collaborating with Mike, super personal, professional, great communicator and exceedingly talented, highly recommend!!! :))
by Elliot James Mulhern Mastering
Verified (Client)
Mike is supremely talented, an absolutely pleasure to work on this project together, such a great communicator, super professional! Always a big plus!!!! Don’t hesitate is you have the opportunity to collaborate with Mike, you won’t regret it! Trust me!

Interview with Mike Smith

Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog mostly with a little hybrid. Nothing sounds like Analog, period. But, there are also some things, especially surgical EQ, that just work better ITB sometimes.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Try to have some reference songs that showcase the vibe and sound you would like for your music.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Gear? Neve 1073, API 2500+, GML 8200, LA2A, and 1176 Instruments? Taylor Acoustic, U47, Fender Jazz Bass, Taylor Acoustic Bass, and Fender Stratocaster
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been playing guitar since I was 4, opened for Blues Traveler and Warrant by the time I was 16, took about a 10 year hiatus and came back and have worked with the biggest stars of music and also starred in a TV Show on BET with DJ Khaled and TI called One Shot.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: 1970s Rock with a modern twist.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: The Rolling Stones, because, who knows how long they have left!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: On the Mix Buss, ALWAYS EQ before Compression. It makes all of the difference in the world.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock, Singer Songwriter, Pop, Americana, and Christian these days.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Mixing, acoustic and electric guitar, hook writing, and producing.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring lots of perspectives from being a musician, songwriter, mixer, and producer across many genres for many artists, I've seen a lot more than most! I have starred on a major TV Show called One Shot on BET Plus based on the skills and experience I bring to the table.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Depends on what I am doing. If I am writing I usually pick up a guitar and stream of conscious write the hook lyrically and instrumentally. That is why I work with so many Hip Hop guys from a writing perspective, I am know as a Hook Writer. If I am mixing, I always edit and comp the tracks first, perform some surgical EQ on the tracks, and and then start going outside the box to my numerous compressors for the tracks, group busses for my Bricasti M7 Reverbs, and then to my mix buss,with my GML 8200 or Pultecs going into my API 2500+, Smart C1LA, Manley Vari Mu, and then into my Rupert Neve Design Master Buss Processor II.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a Neve 8424 Console going into my Vintage Neve 1073 Preamps, U47 Microphone, and so much analog gear it's not even funny (See my gear list). I also have about 60 guitars ranging from Fenders to Gibsons, to Martins, to Taylors.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, Rush, Mutt Lange, Bob Clearmountain, and Bruce Swedien
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing and playing guitar on their tracks.