
With 18 years of experience as a Audio Engineer I ensure your expectations will be surpassed. I have experience in all genres but my specialty is Hip-Hop, EDM and other Alternative-driven genres. Over the years I've been trusted to engineer songs from artists such as Kamaiyah, Juice WRLD, Kreyshawn, Method Man and Too Short.
Chris "Action" Paxton is a renowned drummer, producer, and DJ who has been a driving force in the Bay Area music scene for over two decades. Founder of Nexus Audio in Oakland, Paxton has shaped local music by producing tracks like Kreayshawn’s platinum hit “Gucci Gucci” and Kamaiyah’s acclaimed A Good Night in the Ghetto. His second venture, Mothership Studio in San Francisco, fosters the next generation of engineers and producers.
As the touring drummer for hip-hop icon Lyrics Born, Paxton brings his rhythmic expertise to stages nationwide. He's also made his mark as a recording engineer for high-profile artists, including Juice WRLD, showcasing his ability to craft standout tracks on a national scale.
Paxton's versatility shines in his production and remix work. His remix of Jazz Mafia’s “Goddam” landed on Spotify’s Nu-Funk playlist, and he produced Kung Fu Vampire’s Black Heart Machine while serving as their live drummer and lighting designer. Recent collaborations with Big X and Dakini Star earned spots on Spotify’s Rocktronic and Friday Cratediggers playlists.
With dynamic live performances, innovative studio work, and collaborations with both local and global artists, Chris "Action" Paxton remains a vital force in the Bay Area's vibrant music scene.
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1 Reviews
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Chris is an incredible mixing and mastering engineer with a true sense for emotion, atmosphere, and quality. I worked with him on my very first song, and he not only understood my vision but elevated it to a whole new level. He was always patient, open to feedback, and worked on my track with real passion. You can tell that music truly matters to him – this wasn’t just a service, it was a genuine collaboration. I’m already looking forward to our next project. Thank you for everything, Chris!
Interview with Chris Paxton
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both! Analog for chaos, Digital for consistency.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Why are you making music? If you could pick one playlist you could get your music in what would it be?
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I’ve been drumming and performing music my entire life, dedicating over 20 years to honing my craft in the studio. With a deep passion for music production, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the creation of over 5,000 songs, spanning a wide range of genres and artists.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Mixing
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: "I own and operate two full-service studios in the San Francisco Bay Area: Nexus Audio and Mothership Studio SF. I also offer remote production services. While I use ProTools, my primary focus is on working with Ableton to deliver exceptional results."
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I empower musicians across all genres to achieve their sonic vision. While I have deep experience in recording, mixing, and mastering everything from indie rock to hip-hop, a significant portion of my work involves helping artists craft polished and professional recordings that truly capture their unique sound. Plus, with 27 years as a touring and studio drummer, I bring a musician's ear and rhythmic understanding to every project, ensuring your tracks have the foundation they need to shine.
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $500 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $100 per song
- Recording StudioAverage price - $350 per day
- Vocal compingAverage price - $40 per track
- Time alignment - QuantizingAverage price - $40 per track
- Post MixingAverage price - $200 per minute
- Live drum trackAverage price - $300 per song
Turnaround depends on current workload, under normal circumstances a week. One round of revisions on mastering, Two rounds for mixing.
- ProTools 12 HDX
- U87
- UA M-610