Engineer/Audio Editor

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

A: I produced an album for Austin Miller out of a fairly untreated rehearsal room in Edinburgh in the down time during the day when there weren't any other clients in. It was all done on a laptop with about 7 mics and a lot of limitations but we put down, drums, guitars, bass. keys, all the percussion and even strings in this tiny little 12 foot by 12 foot room, no separation! We were actually lucky enough to have Ben Johnston from Biffy Clyro sing on that record too, he was a close personal friend with my client and was extremely enthusiastic about the songs.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently mixing a project that I can't really talk about but it's been awesome to have a bit more of a team around to work with. Before that I had been working on my own, writing music for publishing.

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

A: There are lots. But I wouldn't recommend them, those guys suck. haha!

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

A: That I will do whatever I can to help you with what you are facing. I promise to be invested in you.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: All of it. The pain, the process, the finished product, the techniques, the people... OK THE GEAR! I love it ALL!

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

A: The process of capturing music is generally misunderstood, but that's pretty normal I think. Especially for newer musicians who need a bit of time to get used to headphones and where they should be at any given moment.

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

A: You don't have to have it all together to get help. I am not a label here to critique your final product. Reach out! let's talk about what you need help with specifically. I am human too.

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

A: All my life. I have worked in a few different countries, studying under other professionals and I learning myself. I asked questions when I got opportunities to do so and I just figured it out by watching others the rest of the time.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I have a strong focus on collaboration, spontaneity and resourcefulness. But also service, I don't like for people to be silently wanting for something they don't have. I need everyone to be comfortable while I ask them to do 50 takes of a song. Creative endeavours can be hard to communicate about so I like to hear from everyone and try to ensure we are all moving in the same direction together. Or as I like to call it... In phase. ;)

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

A: I don't know. I haven't met them yet. Maybe it's you reading this, get in touch!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try just giving the singer a mic at random intervals through out the recording process and run takes regularly as you put other things down. This can help the singer feel ready to perform and fully prepared when it comes time to do their takes.

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

A: Rock mostly but I also love Punk, Pop, Hip-Hop and Funk. I like working with small groups of people. 2-7.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Intuition.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever everyone else forgets. I have a naturally tendency to write lines for the song we are working on in my head as we put down the bare bones in preproduction so often those ideas will come out even if I cut them later. I am usually trying to reach a certain kind of finesse that is present through out the whole song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Usually I let clients dictate the process to a certain extent. We always start out moving quickly and things tend to slow down once everyone has a job and is settled into what they are working on. Eventually it will just be me and my artist passing references and listening back to what we have captured.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a private studio that I operate out of Denver's highlands district, I love it there we are so close to anything we could need but can escape the bars and restaurants easily to get to work. It's a very comfortable cosy setup.

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

A: There are so many, I don't really want to name all of the greats here.

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

A: Mixing, Editing, Engineering and Production. I can sing, I can dance and just try and keep me away from that tambourine!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I live in a world where I have both so why would I choose.

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

A: There are so many, it's always best to just ask me personally.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I prefer to keep that private.

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

A: I'd only need one. A plane so I could get back to the studio.