Mixing engineer

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

A: It was a long time ago now, but Carly Z’s debut album called ‘The Work’ was an amazing project. Carly is incredible and has been lead to believe at college that unless she had written notes on a stave, then she wasn’t writing music. Carly had written the entire album in a free online music notation program called musescore. It took a long time, but we extracted the midi from musescore and brought it to life in Logic before mixing in pro tools. Carly also grown quite attached to the 8 bit sound fonts from musescore, so my role was to produce and mix the album. It involved a 3 month trip to Africa in the middle of the project and the whole project evolved into kind of concept album and even featured Mike Mass on one track.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Just putting the finishing touches to Paul Mulligan’s latest album.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I love the warmth and musical character that analogue equipment brings, but I also appreciate the flexibility and precision of modern digital tools. The best results come from choosing the right tool for the job, rather than following a philosophy.

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

A: I’ll treat your music with the same care and attention I’d give my own. I’ll be honest, communicate clearly, respect your artistic vision and won’t stop until we’re both proud of the finished result.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Watching an artist hear their finished song for the first time. Seeing their excitement when they realise their vision has become reality is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

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

A: The most common question is, “Can you make my song sound professional?” My answer is yes—but professionalism starts long before the mix. Together we’ll make sure the arrangement, performance, recording and production all work together so the final result sounds polished and authentic.

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

A: That great mixing can fix a weak performance. The best productions start with great songs and honest performances. My job is to enhance what’s already there, not manufacture emotion.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask: * What inspired this song? * Who are your musical influences? * How do you want listeners to feel? * Are there any reference tracks you love? * What stage is the project currently at? The answers tell me far more than discussing microphones or plugins.

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

A: Listen to complete projects rather than individual tracks, and choose someone whose work makes you feel something. Great production isn’t about using the most expensive equipment—it’s about understanding your music and helping you communicate your vision. Make sure you enjoy talking to the person too. Good communication makes for better records.

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

A: Neve 1073, my mac, Sm7b, Apollo x8p and probably my solar powered battery pack so I could record stuff still!

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

A: I’ve been running my own recording studio for over 13 years, working with independent artists from Ireland and around the world. Throughout that time I’ve continued to develop my skills through hands-on experience and professional training, including Mix With The Masters courses with Greg Wells, Andrew Scheps and Tom Elmhirst. I believe learning never stops, and I’m always looking for new ways to improve both technically and creatively.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Warm, natural and musical. I aim to create productions that feel authentic rather than over-processed. Whether I’m recording a solo acoustic artist or producing a full arrangement, my goal is always to serve the song and preserve the emotion behind the performance.

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

A: I’d love to work with artists who value authenticity over trends. Someone like Damien Rice or Glen Hansard would be a dream because their music is driven by emotion, storytelling and honest performances—qualities I try to bring to every project.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: A great performance will always outperform expensive equipment. Spend more time capturing emotion than fixing problems later. The best mixes usually start with recordings that already sound inspiring.

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

A: Singer-songwriter, folk, acoustic, indie, choral, orchestral, ambient, spoken word, podcasts and traditional Irish music. I enjoy working across genres as long as the music has honesty and character.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening. Technical skills are important, but understanding what a song needs—and what it doesn’t—is where I believe I bring the most value. I focus on creating productions that connect emotionally rather than simply sounding impressive.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Perspective, patience and musical sensitivity. My aim isn’t to impose my own style but to help each song become the strongest version of itself. Whether that’s a subtle production decision, a better vocal performance or a more impactful mix, every choice serves the emotion of the music.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Every project starts with a conversation. I want to understand the artist’s vision before recording a single note. From there, I focus on capturing great performances, building arrangements where needed, mixing with clarity and emotion, and refining every detail until the music communicates exactly what the artist intended. Collaboration and clear communication are central throughout the process.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The Dreams Loft Recording Studio is located in the Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. We combine a comfortable residential recording environment with professional equipment including Universal Audio Apollo systems, SSL controllers, Neve preamps, Sphere L22 modelling microphones and carefully treated recording spaces. Artists can stay overnight, relax and focus entirely on making music.

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

A: I’m continually inspired by producer and engineers who combine technical excellence with musicality. I’ve studied through Mix With The Masters in France, learning from Greg Wells, Andrew Shceps and most recently Tom Elmhirst, whose approaches to production and mixing have had a last influence on my work. Musically, I’m inspired by artists who prioritise authenticity, emotion and great songwriting.

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

A: I help artists bring their music to life from demo to finished master. Modst of my work involves pre-production, recording, production, mixing for singer-songwriters, folk, acoustic, and indie music. I have also produced podcasts, audiobooks, voiceovers, choral and orchestral music, always focusing on creating recordings that feel emotional, natural and timeless.