Mixer / Producer / Songwriter

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

A: Technically, If I were stranded on a desert island, there probably wouldn't be any electricity so none of it would probably do me any good... BUT... If I was to have 5 pieces of gear, I would have to pick (aside from my computer and plug-ins) an SSL X-Rack for summing, my Black Lion modded Avid HD I/O interface, Neve 1073, Tube Tech, CL1 B compressor, and Telefunken ELA M 251 microphone.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Musicality. Everything has to FEEL right. It's not about the meters. It's about how what you hear makes you feel.

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

A: My promise to my clients... Well. My reputation has been built on not cutting corners. I put the same care into an up and coming independent project that I would into any of the top major label projects. Word of mouth is very powerful. And I would always want to be spoken of highly. Also, I value anyone that trusts me with their vision. So, yes. That would be my promise. That EVERY client gets my best.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Sometimes I will ask if there are particular things mix wise that they want to achieve or if they have any particular songs they want me to reference during the process. For the most part, I listen to what they send me as a demo and try to work around their original instincts.

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

A: Would love to work with Bruno Mars. Big fan.

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

A: Definitely Jill Scott's "Woman" album. I mixed the entire album. I'm very proud of this one. It debuted as the #1 album in the country on Billboard and had 4 top 5 singles.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently mixing Kat Deluna's new album, including the single "What A Night" ft. Jeremih, among other projects.

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

A: Actually, there is. My good friend, Mickey Shiloh. She's actually who told me about this site. Phenomenal songwriter and really dope vocalist.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. There are things about both that are all valuable parts of the process. There is only so much that 1's and 0's can do when it comes to sonics. At some point, I feel there should definitely be actual audio components in the chain. Helps create depth, harmonics, and impact that digital just cant quite capture.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love the feeling of playing an entire project through from start to finish, hearing the continuity, and saying to myself "I did that." I take a lot of pride in helping others' visions come to life.

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

A: Mixing and mastering are two COMPLETELY different things. I mix. And no matter what anyone tells you, a real master is NEVER done by the person who mixed the song. Getting it loud is one thing, but mastering requires the average of two sets of ears as well as two rooms. Once the song is mixed, it should sound exactly as the mixer intended. If that's the case, they wouldn't be changing anything. They would just be making it loud. That is not mastering.

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

A: Mixes make all the difference in the world when it comes to how a listener will perceive your song. It is the difference between them hearing it and feeling it. A great mix can make a mediocre song stand out above a great song, and a great song stand much much farther above others. It is literally just as important as the production itself. That is what I specialize in. Making the music communicate to the listener.

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

A: I've been doing music for 16 years. Had the good fortune to learn from and collaborate with producers such as Timbaland and Aaron Pearce, and mix engineers such as Jimmy Douglass and Ken Lewis.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style... I'd have to say punchy, open, and rich. I take pride in creating an audio landscape. I feel like there should be a visual component to a good mix. When you listen, sounds should affect you. You should almost be able to see (in your mind) into the music. Everything should have a defined space. To me, thats part of the emotional element of mixing.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Use good sounds! That is my number one piece of advice.The better the sounds, the better the life of the song.

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

A: I work on a vast variety of music, ranging from Pop, and R&B to Reggaeton and Country.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Mixing is not only a technical process. It's an emotional process. I'm able to take my experience as a producer and create that emotion in the mix.

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

A: Michael Jackson, Max Martin, Quincy Jones, Aaron Pearce, Diane Warren, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, etc.

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

A: Variety of work as a producer, vocal producer, songwriter, and mixer.