My mix can take your song to the next level! I started playing drums in church at 13 years old, started my own metal band at 15, and also began helping run sound. That turned into a life-long passion that has resulted in over 2000 live performances, drumming on over 60 records, and mixing, mastering, and producing dozens of projects.
I love to mix! I have mixed everything from black metal to bluegrass, classical harp to industrial, hip-hop to americana. I feel my strength is to discover the vision and objectives of the artist, and work passionately at helping to achieve that result. I excel at creating a sense of space and depth, a tight, punchy low-end, a clear focus on vocals, and at letting the vibe and emotion of the song trump technical perfection. I also have a knack for getting great live recordings to come alive!
I also love to drum. I'm not the drummer for everybody, and I'll be honest if I don't think I am a good fit, but for most pop, rock and dance music, I can bring a lot to the table, and am tight enough to blend well with programmed music.
I can master your record as well, and have particular strengths (and the right tools) for hip-hop and EDM, as well as rock, pop and acoustic music.
I am also pretty handy at vocal tuning.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Credits
Interview with Nathan Butler - Nimble Wit
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That mixing and mastering are the same thing.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Can you play to a metronome? Have you rehearsed your songs to the point where you can play them in your sleep? Are you looking for input?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Find someone who is approachable, listen their work, and find someone who is already getting the results you are looking for.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A good pair of headphones, an SM7 (mic), a laptop, my Gretsch guitar, and a Fender Princeton. Because if I'm on a desert island, I'm only going to be making my own music.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Long, winding, uncomfortable, and financially difficult. I started my musical journey twenty-seven(ish) years ago.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Emotional, dramatic, and having a strong sense of place.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Hmm... that's a long and overwhelming list.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Pull someone into the room whose opinion you respect. Whatever you feel compelled to explain/rationalize/make excuses for - that's your subconscious telling you that you can do better - and where your work is lacking.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Americana, Pop, Hip-Hop, and Religious.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Getting the emotional read of the song and helping to translate/augment that.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: over 25 years of experience, knowing what a good mix sounds like through a large PA, and knowing how to translate that energy to the studio, and a broad knowledge of different genres to help bring fresh ideas.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: If I'm mixing - I pull the files into the session, hit play, and turn the faders up. I try to get a sense of where the song is going, and what is working about it. Then, I strip it back to a couple of key components, refine them, and then slowly add the rest of the pieces. If something stops working, I back up to the last time it was, and then add things back in until I get it.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: A very simple, but effective mixing room
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Daniel Lanois, T-Bone Burnett,
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing and mastering. I have a weekly client that I mix a full live band for.
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $400 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Live drum trackAverage price - $100 per song
- Live SoundAverage price - $400 per concert
- PercussionAverage price - $100 per song
Two mix revisions, One mastering revision, Turn around is the day scheduled, Payment due before delivery of final files, cancellations less than 24 hours notice will be charged two hours ($50 hr.)
- Calibrated monitoring
- Pro-Tools
- Plug-ins from Universal Audio
- Fab Filter
- and iZotope.
