MIX ENGINEER

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

A: I'm especially proud of OnCue's most recent EP, "Bench Pressing My Ghosts", which I finished mixing just a few days before my wedding! We were under the gun!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mixes, launching my studio space @timelesssoundbk and building the website and whatnot.

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

A: I would rather recommend you to someone local to me - I know plenty of talents that aren't on soundbetter (most producers, songwriters, etc. are not...)

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: A mix of the two - Not gonna front if I had all the time and money in the world I'd say all analogue but I don't. There's a reason pros have moved to digital. Workflow, consistency, time-to-delivery, portability, upgradability... the list goes on. Digital affords many benefits.

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

A: That I'll be an effective communicator. I get back to you fast, I deliver when I say I'm going to. Basically, that you will know what to expect and when.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Spending my hours creating value for artists and helping them be great. Working with artists to make each other better.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Client: "Can you resend the file?" Me: "Yes." Download your files and keep them on your computer!!

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

A: Many people think I'm just an engineer, but I can produce as well. I don't typically produce for clients, but I take that experience into my mixing.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your timeline? Can I hear an existing music from you? Do you have the stems? Are you still in touch with the producer? Who do you go to in your inner circle for an ear-check/gut-check on your music? Do you work with a manager? How do you prefer to give feedback? What is the best time to get a hold of you, text or call? What songs do you go to as references when listening to music? When testing mixes? Where do you listen to your music? What speakers? What headphones? ... Let's start there.

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

A: You're probably going to get a great product from many engineers - You're not going to get great service and communication from as many engineers. I want to be a part of your project - Let's chop it up!

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

A: Well... Logistically you would need at least a M2 Mac laptop, solar power charging station, RME babyface for the portability, Mic (I'll take a Sony C800) and related peripherals, and some LOUD speakers. If we were throwing logistics out the window, I'd have the same wishlist regardless of if I was stuck on an island of not... Neve 1173, Cl 1B, Manley Vari Mu, 1176, and a Studer tape machine on my desert island please.

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

A: This is a passion I have pursued on my own. Didn't go to music school, interned at a couple studios, but I got where I'm at with a "can't stop, won't stop" mentality. I've been mixing songs proper for about 7 years now, but was self-producing and recording my own music and music for my friends for 10 years before that.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Creating moments for the listener.

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

A: I think working with Smino would be amazing.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Space affects every instrument. If you're stuck don't play with the sounds you have, play with the space.

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

A: Hip-hop, R&B, Soul, Pop, Rap

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Communication, being a teammate/partner, and making ever song sound as good as I can make it sound. I never mail it in - I try to improve with every song and it shows.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I don't feel it's what I bring to the song, it's what I bring out of the song. I'm not one of those mixers that imposes my will on the artists sound. If I have ideas to contribute, I give a heads up to the artist and make it clear I'm happy to dial the additions back if they aren't feeling them. I bring a lot of experience to to every song, having mixed hundreds of not thousands or songs for other artists.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to have a call with the client about the project to let them describe what they are looking for for me, get to know them, understand the timeline, rollout strategy etc. Communication is very important in mixing. Depending on how many songs, I might suggest we use a standard project tracking spreadsheet I created so everyone knows where a project stands. I want to be known for being the easiest to work with as I think that's tough to come by in this industry.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Just opened a facility in New York city called Timeless Sound @timelesssoundbk - Mic is a Neumann U87, Interface is a UA Apollo 8 Quad, and we work entirely in the box. Monitors are Adam A7X, Yamaha HS8, and an Avantone Mixcube for checking in mono.

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

A: So many of my friends inspire me, but if I had to pick an idol I'd say Timbaland is the most inspiring.

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

A: Mixing