Blackhill on SoundBetter

Award Winning Indie Producer

Branko Crnogorcic / BLACKHILL

EDUCATION: graduated from the School of Audio Engineering - SAE, Amsterdam - London.
SKILLS: works on several platforms, mainly Cubase and Pro Tools

EXPERIENCE: (as a producer, recording and mixing engineer) :
- Zhel (Ponte Rosso -1998, Alone And Together At All Times - 2015)
- Kud Idijoti (Gratis Hits Live! - 1999)
- Hladno Pivo (Pobjeda - 1999)
- Brencl Banda (Korenine svetlobe - 2018)
- Rezidencija - Pionirski dom (2017-2020)

FILM WORK: (as a recording and mixing engineer)
- 'Berge Istra' (2020) by The Chweger
- ‘On the Road’ (2020) by Abel Ferrara
-‘The Years of Rust’ (2000) by Andrej Korovljev

AWARDS: Porin Award, Best Alternative Rock Album in 2000.

INTERESTS: prog rock, indie, psychedelic, punk rock
- a member of prog rock bands Snovi, Worlds Upon The Land and Blackhill Daimon

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Credits

3 Reviews

Endorse Blackhill

by ARRIVAL
It was pleasure working with this man. Recording and mixing process were a lot of fun and very professional. His music knowledge and mixing skills are on high level.
ARRIVAL
by URAR
Very interesting personality. We collaborated on several projects and each next step was amazing. His approach to mixing is very creative and most importantly he doesn’t give up until he achieves the best possible audio image. He surprises me how it refreshes with knowledge. a very pleasant person to cooperate with. All the best!
by Zhel
I've collaborated with Blackhill on a few projects, and I can strongly recommend him as a mixing engineer. If you need someone with strong attention to detail, a good listener who will help your ideas shine, look no further. With these prices, this is a steal!
5 out 5

Interview with Blackhill

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: The year 2020 has slowed everything down in terms of work, so for the moment I have dedicated myself to some of my ideas that I'll be doing this year. Of course, I am open to any engagement.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I am proud to have been able to work with some of the best artists in my region. I will mention just a few from whom I have learned a lot and for whom I have great respect. Sale Veruda, is a rare example of a true and consistent punk rocker. Franci Blaskovic, I believe that there is no one in this area who has not heard of him. I had the opportunity to work with him on several albums. Last but not least, Zhel, with whom I embarked on a journey in 1998, and collaborated on various projects throughout the years. In my opinion one of the greatest artists from this region.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Emphasise, amplify, mix it well, don't change it too much.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I'll do my apsolute best and I give my clients revisions free of charge.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: 23 years later I still like it.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. In life synergy is important.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That you can turn bad performance and poor recording into something good.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Before I ask any question, I prefer to get comfortable with the material and hear what they expect from me. Based on that brief, I like to discuss details about the direction so we end up on the same page.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Check out my work, if you like it, let's talk.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: After years of playing in local bands I went to Amsterdam and London where I graduated from the School of Audio Engineering. Soon after I returned home, I built a studio in which I worked and collaborated on a number of succesful local and regional projects. I've been working as mixing engineer and producer since 1998.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Any Artist who wants to progress and is eager to move the boundaries within its genre. Although I like to hear a some influences in the sound, I don't like carbon copies.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Close your eyes when listening to your mix.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Progressive Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Punk Rock, Indie
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I'm a fast editor and I'm pretty meticulous and thorough.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: If I am hired as a mixing engineer I try not to do anything drastic other than to emphasise what the Artist or a Band is all about. However, if I feel there is something to be added which could be beneficial to the song I'll suggest that to the Artist first.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: When I get the material I always listen a few times just to get the overall vibe. Then during mixing I'll try to amplify and preserve the initial estetic intent of the Artist.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work in the box. Cubase Pro 10 or Pro Tools, Focusrite, Yamaha, Slate, Waves...
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I like a wide variety of stuff, from gentle and haunting to loud and raw. To name a few: early Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Black Sabbath, early Metallica, Slayer, Kyuss, Soundgarden, Jane's Addiction, The Mars Volta, Skrillex, FKA Twigs, Bjork, Grimes, Dead Can Dance, Slift, King Gizzard...
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mosty I do mixing, but I also do a lot of recording and editing.