Mixing & Mastering Engineer

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

A: I started training with a local music producer/engineer in 2000 named Jim Meese. I then started producing artists out of my bedroom in Ohio in 2003. I went to college in 2008 and majored in Audio Production graduating Summa Cum Laude. Since then I have been producing artists periodically. I also design DSP files for integrated audio systems and tune out conference rooms and auditoriums. I launched Audio Sorcerer LLC in February 2020 in hopes to make this a full time career.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I'm a digital guy due to the convenience. With that being said, I do like the analog sound better due to it's coloration. I essentially turn my DAW into a analog desk using plugins. It gets me the sound I'm looking for.

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

A: I'm really proud of producing and mixing Michael Rider's album "Double Edged". It took us 2 years to make. He would drive down from NYC and we would work on it during weekends. We both have very different styles and ideas so it was a challenge. I think what we came up with was something unique and not heard before.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on remixing some older projects. I'm slated to start production on Nick Storm's new record at the end of this month.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: For mixing/mastering, I bring a professional finishing touch to a song. I breathe life into a creation and give it the best possible chance to compete with music out there today. For producing, I give songs the Dan Spencer stamp. With my heavy understanding of 90's music, I find that a hint of it gets incorporated into almost every song I do no matter the genre.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run a completely digital setup with Pro Tools as my backbone and the Slate Raven Dual MTi's as my control surface. The studio is in the 2nd floor my Baltimore city rowhome which was built in 1880.

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

A: I mix, master, and produce songs for music artists.

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

A: Check out my samples. They are real life representations of the quality of work you can expect to receive from me.

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

A: My recording studio is not open for public use. Living in the city I have had artists just show up at my doorstep.

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

A: The question I get asked the most is how much does it cost for to produce a song since that isn't listed on my website. The average price is $500/song.

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

A: I guarantee satisfaction.

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

A: Benny Steele. He mixed my EP, "Once Bitten", which came out back in 2018.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love playing a small part in getting a great song out to the world.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: My main question is what genre of music are you looking for me to produce? This will determine if I take on a project from a producing standpoint. I work with all genres regrading mixing/mastering.

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

A: computer, monitor, keyboard/mouse, audio interface, microphone

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Modern pop music with a hint of 90s and likely to have a guitar snuck into it.

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

A: Troye Sivan. His sound has really inspired me to make modern pop music. It's very nostalgic and takes the listener to another place.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Use a long pre-delay on vocal reverbs. This essentially has the same effect as using side-chain compression on a reverb with the vocal as it's "key input". It's a lot less work and it provides a more natural sound.

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

A: Pop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say my strongest skill is mixing/mastering.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My work process depends on what I'm doing (Mixing/Mastering or Producing). I usually do most of my work in the evenings during the week and then anytime on the weekends. Organization is the key to my workflow.

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

A: I'm a huge fan of 90's pop/rock and bands like the Goo Goo Dolls and Gin Blossoms. I also love pop music of today coming from artists such as Taylor Swift and Troye Sivan. Chris lord Alge is my favorite mix engineer and Rob Cavallo is my favorite producer.