I provide a 360° bespoke music production and mix and mastering service. Whether you're looking to release commercial and professional music and are needing a producer/engineer to mix and master your project or are looking to get the best out of a home recording, I can help you to realise your sound.
About me - I am a producer and mix & mastering engineer, and founder of production company; Cutlan Music. I have been working on commercial records for over 5 years, including releases via Sony, Ministry of Sound and Atlantic Records.
My music interest started in my early teens when I first picked up a guitar. My grandfather had been a huge influence in my creative interests due to his occupation as a professional jazz drummer. This grasp soon broadened into a keen interest in recording music, and I have been producing and writing music ever since.
I obtained a first class BAHons in music production in 2014 and have since worked in music professionally; mixing, mastering, writing and producing music alongside the likes of Riff Raff, Chief Keef, DJ Paul, T Pain and Diplo. I specialises in Pop, Rock and Hip Hop and have a punchy and crisp 'sound' to my production, suited to these genres.
My work can be heard on Spotify and Youtube where I've helped his clients stream millions of plays.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Interview with Ben Cutlan
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: My first album I produced for Riff Raff. It was the first time I'd mixed/mastered and written an album and was a huge milestone for me. Also, it reached 5 million streams.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: 2 Hip Hop albums for Maudestmind, Yelawolf and Riff Raff.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: N/A
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both - they are both incredibly useful in their own ways. I love the way an analogue stereo bus compressor sounds over the way a VST emulation sounds... but I also enjoy the luxury of recording music into a DAW than to a 4 track!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That they will walk away with a product that is exactly what they asked for.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The music. I love music.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How do I make my music sound professional?
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That anyone can do it. It requires years and years of training and even after 15 I'm still learning every day.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What emotions are you trying to convey. Could you describe how you want the listener to feel?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Ensure that you're happy with your performance before seeking a producer. We take what you give us and make it the best we can, but we're not miracle workers.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop, studio monitors, audio interface, phone, headphones
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: 15 years, 5 years professionally.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Punchy and crisp.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Kendrick Lamar because not only is he a genius but he has a unique and fully immersive style of working collaboratively with producers and songwriters.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Listen with your ears, not with your eyes
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, rock, hip hop
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Stem mixing and mastering.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A professional sound.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It always depends on the client - for some it's running a pre master wav file though my master chain to achieve the colouration and loudness they want, whereas at the other end of the spectrum; there may be someone who wants to turn a recording of them singing and playing guitar into a fully loaded rock track, and everything in between. My process is to understand the client's wants and needs and fulfil them accordingly, whether that be to master their tracks, stem mix or help with the writing and production of their music.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My East London studio is kitted out with professional standard hardware equipment including SSL compressors and stereo colouring units, Rupert Neve Tape Emulations and Universal Audio interfaces to name a few. I also host a wide variety of VST plugins 'inside the box' including Slate Digital, Antares, Fab Filter, Waves plus many more.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Rick Rubin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Fraser T. Smith, Paul Epworth.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Stem mixing and mastering.
I was the Mix & Master Engineer and Producer/composer in this production
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $400 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $70 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $400 per song
- SSL
- Rupert Neve
- Drawmer
- Elysia
- JDK Audio
- Cranbourne Audio
- Universal Audio