Mixing Engineer, Bassist

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I will always believe in studios and consoles for producing and tracking. Getting out of your bedroom or usual music room and normal headspace can be such a large element in making something unique and great. For mixing, I believe that ITB digital mixes can yield similar, albeit different results to an analog mix.

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

A: To deliver a product that I am 100% behind and to put my stamp of approval and name on. That doesn't always translate to the $20k pop mix of your dreams but I will do everything in my wheelhouse to get as close as possible!

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

A: Having a particular sound that can translate from record to record. As a producer who is constantly writing, creating tracks and arrangements, you can control majority of the sonic elements at your disposal. As an engineer and mixer, we are at the mercy of the information put in front of us. There are so many ways to produce a track, even if my tools are more or less the same, it always yields different results.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Lots of questions! The more questions I ask and you answer, the better rapport we develop and the quicker we can be on the same page language wise. What does "warm" mean to you? Feels like a loaded question but really its a test on how to get me on the same page as you with terminology and knowledge.

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

A: Be prepared and understand the difference in professional courtesy and personal investment.

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

A: My goals have always been the same: work with great artists I believe in and help them make great records. I've been a freelance engineer since 2011 when I made my first studio record in Somerville, MA. I spent the last decade in the Bay Area and am now trying to make more industry moves in NYC.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Adaptive. I don't believe I have a "sound" or a particular element as a go to. As a producer I will be your day to day management, arranger, lyrical editor, therapist or simply a guiding hand. The excitement of making records is that each artist and project present uniquely different challenges and goals. My job is to meet the expectations to the best of my ability and fill in the gaps that need to be filled.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Workflow is more important than leaving room for creativity. If you are prepared and cover your bases at each step of the recording process (pre production/tracking/overdubs/mixing/mastering), the random creative ideas will naturally flow into the sessions and songs. Leaving unknown variables and loopholes in hopes that creativity strikes will almost always create disappointment and unintended pressure.

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

A: I enjoy working on projects in the many rock n roll genres most. That flavor speaks to my ears the most. That being said, sometimes working outside of what you love yields the best results...

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Communication. The easiest way for all parties to be satisfied is to be as communicative as possible. If the work isnt to you liking after the first pass, tell me. There are never hard feelings about making the client happy.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Experience in listening and working on music for the better parts of two decades. There is no ego for me in mixing. I don't necessarily see it as artistic or creative in the sense that I am trying to bring more to the table. My job is to use what ingredients are there and ultimately make your production to make it the best it can be.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Once the "stems", rough mix and references are received, I will import them into a session and make sure the tracks are identical to the rough mix. From there I will bounce between the rough mix and the references until I feel like I have a solid understanding on where to take the tune. While my workflow varies, I will typically finish my first pass early in the day, reference on different speakers and devices while making notes and tweak the pass in the afternoon. I'm usually great for finishing one mix per day, but it depends a lot on you and the material you send!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Currently running an almost total in the box (ITB) setup. Universal Audio Apollo as my front end if I need to track anything and also as my back end for mixing. The UAD plugins have been the standard in my arsenal for a long time, they are so great and musical.

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

A: Blake Mills. I respect him as both a talented musician and writer and as a fantastic producer. From more pop/rock records to artistically diverse stuff. It's all great!

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

A: Since the pandemic, remote mixing. Clients will send me their best production mixes (with effects they've selected) and send me individual tracks or groups to be taken to the next level. For remote mixing, the chosen effects help give a broader picture of what they are going for. That paired with a rought mix and couple references and we are good to go!