Producer/Mixer/Composer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My main focus now is my band called Estereomance. I produce and co-write the music with 2 very talented ladies. I also produce a great band from San Antonio called The Holy Knives. Im mixing the new Red Pears album that I tracked back in December at Sonic Ranch. In El Paso I'm usually working with 3 to 4 bands at a time.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Mixing is much easier when the musical arrangement is coherent. Not having lots of different instruments fighting for frequency real estate. Finding the right key for the right singer is crucial too!

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

A: Mixing "Thank Your Lucky Stars" with Beach House, learned a lot from that project and it sounds beautiful. With Estereomance's first album, It's an evolution of my artistic and producing career. Just finished the new Sparta record, recorded at Sonic Ranch and mixed at my studio. As I kid I looked up to Jim Ward and Sparta, and now I get to record and mix his record.

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

A: asuming there is electricity, Microphone, Tascam Recorder, Guitar, any Casio Toy Keyboard, and Drum Machine no electricity acustic guitar, a piano, harp, and some percusive instruments,

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever the artist and song needs. Can be simple music structuring, to music arrangement and re-writing. I have a team assembled of 2-3 musicians producers that I work with as well. Also have 15 years of world class experience engineering.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have my own studio downtown El Paso. I mainly work out of the box when it comes to mixing. I use pro tools and a large array of plugins, UAD, Plugin Alliance, Slate, etc I also work out of Sonic Ranch Studios www.sonicranch.com Its a world class recording studio with Neve, API, and SSL consoles. There are great instruments and gear, anything you can ask for. I have access to the studio.

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

A: Radiohead, Soda Stereo, Danger Mouse, Andrew Scheps, Sparklehorse, Flaming Lips, Dave Fridmann, Stereolab, Gorillaz, Damon Albarn

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to the client's needs.

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

A: Not personally, but I havent searched either.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, because they both work great. Analog requires more time, hence more money. Digital is more practical. But I personally like both, I can get great results from both.

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

A: That the client is satisfied with the product, and Lots of fun.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Making friends and great music.

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

A: They ask me what I would charge, I always respond it depends case by case and I always try to match the budget.

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

A: Clients sometimes think I master.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What style of music? How many songs? Is there financial support, or self funded? What expectation does the client have on the project.

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

A: Check out the credits and experience on the provider if looking for a professional. Also make sure the style is compatible with the artist..

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

A: 2005 graduated from Full Sail 2005- 2008 I interned at Westlake Recording Studios, where I was born as a Recording Engineer. Got to work in sessions with Music professionals like, Quincy Jones, Humberto Gatica, Herbie Hancock, Vinnie Colaiuta, Paulinho Da Costa, Josh Groban, Michael Bolton, Annie Lennox, Glen Ballard, Ryan Tedder, Snoop Dog, etc

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like to go back to basics, how music was done in the 60's and 70's but with a modern twist and punchy. I like to stamp my productions with attitude.

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

A: Flaming Lips, their music is great and I love to experiment.

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

A: Alternative-Indie. But I enjoy working on Pop and R&B

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For Mixing, I usually take a business day to finish. For Producing, depends on the music style and what the artist is looking for. Typically 3-4 days per song

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

A: Mixing and Music Producing.