Remote Mixing

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

A: iPod, solar battery charger, a book on how to make a cell tower out of things you'd find on a desert island, a cell phone, a bottle of water. I'd probably die there, but at least I'd die being able to listen to music.

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

A: I've been working in my parents recording studio since December of 2012, but I've always loved music. I just didn't know what I wanted to do in the field until my step-dad had me trained in Cubase and next thing I knew I was working voiceover sessions with John Barrowman, Adam West, Paul Rodgers, and so many others.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Organized. I place all my instruments into folder tracks in cubase, separation guitars by electric, acostic, dobro, mandolin, I place all the parts of a drum mix in it's own folder, and assign group tracks once that's done.

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

A: Vienna Teng. I would love to meet her and have her record on our Yamaha C7 conservatory. She plays the piano so beautifully and tells so many amazing stories, I'd love to have her record here and and given the chance, would die to mix a song of hers.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If something doesn't sound right in a mix, fix it.

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

A: Jazz and rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Vocal tuning. Cubase has a built-in pitch correction software where I can manually adjust notes, or sections of notes if I so desire.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Not sure how to answer this one, really. I bring what I bring to it. I use all the plugins and outboard equipment at my disposal to get the best vocal, guitar, piano, etc., I can. I work hard and nitpick even the smallest edits that I know no one will hear except for myself.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the work. For music I like to create group channels for all the instruments I'm working with to be able to quickly mute/solo certain aspects (only the acoustic guitars, or acoustic and electric guitars

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Cubase Pro 8.5. That's the DAW I'm most comfortable with. I also have a few hardware preamps such as an Avalan Vacuum Tube and a Presonus.

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

A: Backstreet Boys have been my top favorite for years. I also enjoy Vienna Teng, Hoobastank, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra

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

A: I do a lot of music work and vocal work in my parents recording studio, Rancho Mirage Music People, as a mixing and recording engineer