Mix/Recording Engineer

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

A: I had a blast working on Sugar Druzys "For Better". Most of the time when I mix stuff all of the recording and producing discussions have already been made, but for this song they called me in to be both. It was really enjoyable working with them and making some of the choices that made it into the song, (the few times we actually worked and diddnt drink ourselves into a stupor.)

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just finished up a recording of the Stevie Wonder Ensemble given to me from a friend still at Berklee. Recorded really well, I had a blast mixing it.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I do not know anyone on soundcloud personally unfortunately.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, although I have no qualms with analog at all. The stress of recalls and dealing with finicky equipment I think outweighs the benefits sometimes, especially with the modeling plug ins we have today. With all of that being said, I will not deny stuff sounds good with analog equipment.

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

A: I promise to either fulfill or exceed your expectations, or you get your money back NO QUESTIONS ASKED. I will work tirelessly to get you the mix you deserve and I know we can get there, but if you want to head another direction I believe you have every right.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love working creatively. Every new song is a chance to see things from a new perspective.

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

A: Can you turn the vocals up? Hell yeah I can

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

A: I believe that there is this belief that mix engineers have much more power than they actually do, (although I wish we did). By the time your song comes to a mix engineer most if not all of the production ideas and direction of the song should be complete, not still being worked on.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are you hoping to accomplish? How do you want to release this? What can I do to help you make your project everything it can be?

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

A: Be really open about your budget, I am willing to accommodate to a degree to what you might need. Other than that being really descriptive about what you are thinking the direction of the song should be and how it was recorded would be awesome.

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

A: My laptop, Apollo Twin, Headphones, Shure SM7B, Midi controller. I feel like you could get quite a lot done with just that stuff.

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

A: If you read my bio you know I graduated from Berklee in 2019 and I have been working in studios in LA since I have graduated. Before I went to Berklee I have been playing and producing music for almost 10 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: In terms of mixing, I would say first and foremost I try to cater to what the song needs, but more often than not I try to go for what some people would say is clean.

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

A: I would really love to work with the band Covet right now. I think their material is awesome and kind of puts you in a trance. Something like that would be awesome to mix.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Vision, Vision, Vision. I think that what sets apart "amateur" productions from more professional ones aside from some of the technical sound bits is that they lack a sense of direction and seem to be floating with a bunch of ideas. Even though Billie Eilish and her brother maybe "amateurs" their production value is superb because it has a clear focus, and every single one of their decisions make towards improving that focus.

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

A: Most of the work I am getting at the moment is in the Jazz or film mixing department. I feel most at home working with those genres.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think my strongest skill would be my work ethic. I rarely complain, and if the work needs to be done I get right on it no questions asked.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Ive been playing music since I was four, and I have very good relative pitch so I would like to think that the musicality is already there. I believe this allows me to get the "concept" or "vibe" of a song really quick and ultimately make the technical choices that will make that "vibe" happen.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: As far as mixing goes, the first thing I try to do is get a feel of what the artist wants to do and how they want their song to feel. Once I think we're on the same page Ill usually start with either the drums and bass or vocals depending on what the song needs and build up from their.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a 2.1 setup, in a tuned room with acoustic treatment. With 2HS8 monitors and a polk audio sub I went through a lot of trouble to make sure I hear things correctly. I also have an apollo twin and pre sonus faderport for some fader automation.

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

A: Some musicians that really inspire me right now are Jacob Collier, and Vulfpeck. I think both these examples have artists that have a clear artistic direction in their work. Not to mention it just sounds dope.

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

A: I am primarily a mixing engineer although I do have extensive experience recording also. I try to take the artist/producers ideas and vision and make sure I take the steps to push the song in the right direction.