Engineer/Mixer/Producer

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

A: Imagine Dragons Night Visions is one project that stands out for me. I was an additional engineer during all of the instrumental tracking for that record. I also did most of the editing. It was great to work on such cool songs. To see the insane success resulting from the band's hard work was extremely rewarding.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I've got a number of clients requiring everything from writing and arrangement to production and mixing. I really do a bit of everything.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Analog doesn't always work for purely electronic productions. Digital doesn't always properly glue an organic track together the way we're used to hearing it. However, either one works perfectly well in the end if the person at the reigns knows what they're doing. If the listener has any idea as to whether it was done digitally or analogue, you did something wrong. They should hear the song, and only the song.

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

A: You're songs will convey the proper emotional response to the listener. Whether that be excitement, sorrow, angst, etc.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music is fun. There's nothing like seeing a song come to life.

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

A: Can I have the same guitar/drum/bass/synth/etc sound as (insert band and song here). See the previous response for my answer.

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

A: I can't reproduce the exact tone of an element of your favorite song. Recording and production is really just a time stamp of the moments captured when creating music. The only way for something to be exactly like something else is to go back in time. Having said that, I can make sure that whatever we're doing gives off the same feeling and vibe as that old thing that you love.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who their influences are, and what kind of playlist they'd like their music to be part of

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

A: Know what you want. It's easier for everybody if you have a clear idea of where you want your music to go.

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

A: Neve 33609, Neumann U67, Neve 1073, Urei LA-3A, ATC SCM45a's

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

A: Ive been working exclusively with music production for 15 years. I went to audio school, had an internship, and then worked as one of the main engineers at The Studio At The Palms for 12 years. All the while, I was doing freelance work on the side. I just recently branched out to work for myself, and recently built a new top-notch recording facility.....and yes, I record to tape if you want ;)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Clean and Musical

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

A: Incubus. I've always been a fan of the musicality and stylistic approach. I also love the raw vs polished sonic aspect of their records.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: My one tip would be to not force it. The song will let you know what it needs. If a part isn't working, move on. When it works, you'll know.

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

A: I tend to work more with organic music. Real recorded instruments, and story-telling songs. But I've worked in every genre imaginable from jazz to modern hiphop. I'm really extremely flexible.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Giving the client what they want. I'm well versed in all aspects of the writing and production process. It's hard to say any one skill is better than the other.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring musicality and technical precision. I make sure that what I deliver is as close to perfect the first time, every time. I'm very keen on making sure that the client gets exactly what they want, regardless of my own taste. I can make boring tracks exciting, I can make thin tracks thick, and I can make dull tracks shine. With comping and tuning, I can transform a vocal track from decent to extraordinary. And with production and arrangement, I can make what you hear in your head come out of the speakers properly.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When mixing, I generally assess the song's and client's needs as to whether I'll stay in the box or mix on my console. I prefer a rough mix from the client so I know where their head is at, as well as a couple references. For production and location recording work I evaluate the client"s needs and go from there. I prefer to have thorough communication throughout the process.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run a hybrid setup. The studio is equipped with Protools, Apogee convertors, various preamps and eqs from Neve to Manley to SSL, as well as numerous hardware compressors both new and vintage. My main speakers are my ATC SCM45a's and Yamaha NS-10's...and my car lol I use an Amek Recall Console for analogue mixing, and a Dangerous 2-buss for summing with ITB mixes.

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

A: Chris Lord-Alge, Tom Lord-Alge, Andy Wallace, and Manny Marroquin are some of my favorite mixers. Malay Ho and Howard Benson are two of my favorite producers

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

A: My work load is comprised of an equal amount of writing, producing, recording, and mixing