Pop Mixer

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

A: Definitely! If I can't get your mix into my schedule then you need to check with Martin Cooke and Cameron Lister to see if they can do it. If I was making a record I'd hire them to engineer and mix it in a heart beat. Corey Britz is a spectacular all round musician and producer, he can probably do any job in this business. Nik Hughes is one of the best drummers and percussionists I know and is my first call.

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

A: That I might be too expensive. If the project is inspiring to me I want to do it. Music is why we all got into this business. If I'm enjoy your music then I want to be involved and we can find a price that will work for everybody.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think my strongest skill is to support the artist's vision. If I'm mixing I want to be sure the mix reflects their rough mix but taken to the highest level possible. If I'm working in a room recording an artist I want to be sure that I do what ever I need to do to keep their creative flow uninterrupted and effortless.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: My first contact with a client typical involves discussion on the music, deadlines, and budgets. I think it's important to get to the point of whether I'm the right person for the job musically and if everyone's schedules line up to meet any deadlines.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love music. Getting to listen to music all day and being part of the creative process is what makes me tick.

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

A: Mixing is the most common type of work I do for my clients. I also do a lot of editing and tuning for various engineers and producers around Los Angeles.

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

A: Lo-Fang. Engineering and mixing both his debut album and follow up EP were amazing experiences. I grew a lot musically during those sessions. It changed not only the way I approach a mix or a recording, but also how I listen to music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't write off the use of filters to just clean up sub frequencies or create DJ style effects. A lot of interesting things can be done with some creative filtering both as an insert or in parallel. Try experimenting with filtering something you wouldn't normally filter, or changing resonance settings.

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

A: I spend most of my time working on pop music. I look at pop in a very broad sense. Whether it be alternative or indie or something that sounds like Top 40 radio. It's got hooks and the artist wants to appeal to the masses, it's pop in my book.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The studio is a well treated control room ideal for mixing and a single live room large enough to easily accommodate a drum session. We have a great analog front end made of up Neve and API mic pres, various compressors, and a vintage Sound Workshop 34B console. The studio is Pro Tools based and includes an impressive plug in collection for in the box and hybrid mixing.