Alastair McNeill on SoundBetter

Experienced award winning record producer and mix engineer. I can take your record to the next level, by producing and mixing. Recently winning the 2021 German critics award for Chris Eckman.

Hi-spec studio located in Ljubljana in a 17th century castle with a bar and restaurant. A short walk to the forest or to the center of town, ideally located as a creative getaway or hiring myself remotely.

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

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Interview with Alastair McNeill

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The recent album for Chris Eckman, him winning the German critics award was a very nice surprise and the general feedback for the utmost audio quality of this record. I recorded, mixed and produced the record.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A hip-hop project built on live band improvisations to tape, passing the material from full jams to loops, back to tape, to the computer for arranging for the MC.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Horses for courses and it matters less and less. I've worked on entirely digital generative electronic must to doing everything to tape all the way to vinyl without it touching a computer. All paths are valid and we'll take whichever one suits.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To give my all
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Freedom, challenges and the creative hurdles to overcome to see an artist shine.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How much do you cost ;)
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I try to be clear and honest, but perhaps that I make a certain genre of music when in-fact i do it all.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Whats the outcome you desire and what's been stopping you from doing it yourself?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Write me and we can discuss your needs, we can tailor make any process that suits you. I'll be looking to deliver the highest quality work, but if I can help in one small part of your process it's also fine.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop, Heaphones, guitar solar panel and Microphone.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I mixed my first record in 2008 and it was a success, because I'd already researched hard what it takes to make a record. Since then I've worked with many different artists, been on stage, been a pro musician, drummer, bass player, guitarist, synth guy and have the broader picture.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Stylish.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: All of them.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Sure! - Be free!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: No usual, anything from Americana to Techno!
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: The bigger picture
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Edge and a bold defined aesthetic, emotion and delivery of the songs point.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: There's no typical, the process will define the outcome and I like to design a process that fits the artist and gets the most fun and efficient workflow. Whatever the music needs is what I'll do.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Starts with the acoustically accurate room, choice outboard, nice amps, big modular and unique fx processing from pedals and boutique modular gear.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Ones that strive to take what we do to the highest professional level.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: An artist wants to make a record, I make that happen, I will typically record, or bring in remote recordings and start to build an aesthetic for the album. I play overdubs and experiment with sound design. I will mix the entire record and arrange mastering to deliver a world class record. I'm comfortable helping with writing and arranging if needs be depending on the artists wishes. I work a lot with vocalists to get the best out of their sound and performance, but equally at home. I do a lot of reamping, sending tracks into real space or through funky gear and pedals to get away from the same old sounds, also entirely comfortable in the digital realm!