Mixing for Music & Podcasts

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

A: I would say the album Broadcast Hill by Ely Guy. This is the first album I got to fully work on as a Mastering Engineer. It was also my first time Mastering something. Not only was it a fun time working on something else besides Metal/Punk, but it taught me a lot. Like everyone says, you're always learning.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm recording and mixing several local bands who have yet to go put any tracks out.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I don't have too much experience with analog gear, but I do know that each piece can be unique and stylize a song in a certain way. That analog gear may do something that a digital can never do. Although, digital great because I think it allows for more room for error and experimentation. This can be good and bad.

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

A: I will put my best effort and focus into your work.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music. I love music. To see the bones of a song and then put it together and make is sound great it what I love.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are some references for the sound you are going for? What is your goal for this project? What kind of mood or setting are you going for?

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I strive for a clean, but energetic sound.

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

A: Right now, it has to be Loath from the UK. They just released a great album that sets it apart in the Hardcore/Metalcore genre at the moment. I would love to get in one their creative process and maybe learn something from them.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I don't know if I have any "special" tips, but the one I like the most is check your mix. Check it against commercial tracks and in other monitoring situations. Our ears adapt to whatever we hear at a point that we end up missing things. I especially adhere to this tip as a novice myself.

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

A: I like to work in Metal and Punk genres, but always looking to expand my knowledge and skills.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to express emotion through a song. That is what makes a song for me. If I can make the listener feel what the artist was feeling, then I know I did my job right. Some of the best mixes in my mind bring the song to life and allow everything to compliment itself.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: After labeling and organizing the session I like to find the most important part piece of the song, usually the snare and vocals, and set it to peak around a base level. I then start by getting a rough mix with only levels and panning based around the starting level usually working my way from drums, bass, guitars, synths/fx, then vocals. I then begin to process all the tracks until everything sounds good.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home studio with two KRK monitors.

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

A: Some of my favorite Producers/Engineers are Taylor Larson and Adam "Nolly" Getgood. The way they mix is very clean, but still captures the energy and explosiveness of their work. I also like Nolly's tracking style for drums. It's very live and basic. In the metal scene samples are pretty common, and Nolly works to get the recording best at its source when he can to avoid using such methods.

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

A: I work on mixing and master songs as well as post-production audio for video and podcasts.