Production/mixing

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

A: I've been really proud to work on everything I've done. It's been a gratifying experience and you learn something new on every project. I like the ability to switch gears and keep everything fresh, wether producing one day or mixing the next. Working with some of the top people was cool because you see how simple they make it. your start with great gear in a great room and it un-complicates everything.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: all sorts of stuff including a personal project.

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

A: I would Recommend Maria Z for vocal production whole heartedly. She's incredible!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: it starts with as good of an analog chain as possible. The rest can be taken care of digitally. almost all top mixers are in the box these days, it's faster, smoother, with more accurate recall ability. SSL has its native ITB stuff that sounds GREAT, as good as the hardware, and it saves money and I can pass that savings onto the Client.

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

A: we won't stop till it's right.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: creativity and working with people to help achieve their goals and exceed their expectations. the feeling of being trusted and helping the art hit the pinnacle of its ability.

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

A: see above

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

A: that recording should be done as fast as possible and fixed in the box. if time is taken at the beginning, mic placement great AD, great Room, taking the time here is the most important thing anyone can do to keep the music at %100 all the way through till the Listener hears it. it starts with quality and care and ends the same way.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: what are you goals feel wise sound wise for the piece to be worked on? what are some influences, what is the time frame, how do you like to work. I'm here for you so its important that I'm able to adapt to your flow and style.

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

A: what do you want out of your music, does the other person see that same vision and philosophy.

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

A: 1, a great sounding/ accurate room, 2, latest focals, 3, best AD/DA convertor, 4, closet of vintage mics, 5, SSL K Series (or Neve equivalent) Must have in a desk is eq and compression.

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

A: my career path is 10 years old thus far. from school to cleaning toilets to getting the studio running and so on. the Current path is focused on production engineering mixing, and getting a bigger spot to help facilitate that.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Simultaneously diligent and laid back. less is more, the more I do this. at this point my next project is acoustically building out my room. and adding mics to the collection for more recording projects.

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

A: I always want to work with Artists that love their craft and don't just want to make music for the life that comes with fame. The Constant Pursuit of Greatness is what pushes everyones limits and keeps the process growing.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: it starts and ends with great vocals, and great recordings. sometimes its good to think about levels as a distance and not volume. think out of the box but work within in it.

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

A: pop - hip hop - R&B, though lately been doing other genres and having a great time getting out of the box in my head

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: workflow and enjoyment of artist collaboration.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: knowledge of how to take if from a ruff to a finished radio ready mix. learning that less is more and having a great listening environment is very important to me and makes the finished product come together faster and smoother.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: talk to the client and hear their ruff along with some other material that they have found inspiring, get the files and sort through arrange comp, get a session that is as easy as possible to maneuver and has everything situated so I can either mix or produce around. Start either mixing for producing taking ear breaks and then get the song to a spot where I feel good about it. come back usually the next day and tweak some things tighten it up, and print down. if there's time I take an ear break and then listen to it in other environments, continuing to tighten up the song before sending out. if not send out the first draft, gather feedback from the artist and walk it to home plate. its always a collaborative affair. its not my song at the end of the day.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: setup for production/mixing, but have the best convertors and speakers I could get when I purchased them. Prism Sound is world renowned for the quality of conversion and is mastering grade. the Focal speakers are great as well, I pretty much stay in the box after its there to reduce any noise that isn't desired. and focus on great software. I'm looking forward to trying out the Apollo Luna stuff though, that's potentially groundbreaking.

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

A: the great mix and recording engineers as well as the modern ones, artists ideas and oppinions as well.

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

A: Mixing and Production work, Sometimes retooling productions that may be lacking.