I've been mixing for 40 years now. Seasoned studio guitar and bass parts. I've mixed hundreds of projects, written 1000s of instrumental background tracks for television/radio and mixed some great bands.
Mixing music has been one of my great passions for over 40 years.
During the coarse of my career I've been involved with projects from pure classic country and jazz to heavy hitting rock and metal. All of it boils down to the right balance and emotion. That's where I focus. Yes, I have lots of plugins and can do magic tricks, but I center my attention on the band and singer, to draw out the real emotion that went into the recording. I love what I do. I do it everyday. I'd like to do it for you.
I look forward to dancing with you!
Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Languages
- English
11 Reviews
Endorse Brad Heck
check_circleVerified (Client)The Best!
check_circleVerified (Client)Thank you, Brad, for trusting in us again! This has turned out to be a superb partnership and we look forward to our next project together.
check_circleVerified (Client)Exceptional producer, incredible sound!
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Another great moment working for Brad. He makes things so easy and nice that you really wish all clients were like him. Great guy, a pleasure to work with!
check_circleVerifiedBrad is a top notch guitar player who is professional in all regards. He is very responsive and gets the job done quickly. His guitar parts are always unique, fit perfectly, and make my songs sound so much better!
check_circleVerified (Client)Brad sent all the materials I needed to get this work done quickly. The song was nice to listen to which made it an enjoyable experience!! :)
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Working with Brad was great. As always, he was very communicative and patient throughout the entire process. Looking forward to collaborating with him yet again!
check_circleVerified (Client)Thank you, Brad, for trusting in us again! This has turned out to be a superb partnership and we look forward to our next project together.
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Another fabulous project with Brad. His mixes are always on-point and his communication is fast and professional.
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Brad is a really nice person, aims for excellence and does as much as he can to pursue it. He is also really kind and patient. A real pleasure to work with. 5 stars.
- check_circleVerified (Client)
Working with Brad was great. He was very communicative and patient throughout the entire process. Looking forward to collaborating with him again!
Interview with Brad Heck
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: LIFT was a great LP because it involved so many high profile musicians. It was a joy to have them all on a project, even though it was Covid time and everybody worked from home. Having top line talent on the record made it a real joy to mix. Ricky Peterson, Lenny Castro, St Paul Peterson, Travis Toy, Joey Finger, Josh Shilling and JP DeLaire all appear on that LP. All of them have vast studio and touring credits, and although I was the artist, I was definitely the weakest in the band!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've always lived in a recording studio. More than 40 years now, on analog and digital. I started as a touring guitarist but was taken in by some hippies that owned a Westlake designed studio in the middle of Iowa. I watched, listened and learned how to construct records there. After 15 years of touring I came back there and began an independent producer/engineer phase of life, while building an instrumental catalog that is still in heavy use today. I wrote and recorded over 1000 pieces during that time, while helping songwriters and bands complete their vision in the studio. My mixing gained traction and I found myself doing FOH in the Midwest for events and mixed some great rock bands including Blue Oyster Cult, Quiet Riot, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Rick Derringer, Loverboy, Molly Hatchet, Marshall Tucker Band and many others. I always ended up having to solve the most difficult problems for our network, which turned out to be taxes. I now do Business Management for several artists and take care of their financial lives. My studio is in the accounting office, and I love being back in touch with the art of making great sounding recordings. I actually make more mix decisions behind the accounting desk than the mixing desk! It's nice to just let it play and listen more passively while ironing out a well recorded track.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A single for myself, couple guitar parts for a client and fleshing out a basic track for a band.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Yeah - ask as we work together and I'll involve my network.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. Oh I miss the old workflow but I love not having to tape off the board at night.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That you'll know where I'm at and what I'm thinking during the process
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I've never had a job.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How soon can you get this done? Guitar parts take a couple days. Mixes take about a week.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That technology has much to do with musical inspiration.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What records do you think sound great? Is there a common theme that makes those stand apart?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Hire the sound you hear on the demo, and let them be who they are.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: U-47, LA610 and Mixbus. My remarkable tablet and one Tibetan singing bowl.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: straightforward
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'd love to spend a day with Bob Clearmountain just to soak up his vibe.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Par it back to the song and the emotion. Then build to support that. It's not about the players, it's about the song.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Country, Rock, Smooth sounds and ragged Southern Rock
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Knowing what not to do. Following up and being trustworthy.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: mixing wisdom while playing guitar and bass parts. Guitar wisdom when I'm mixing.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Listen. Feel. Get a sound. Once I get the right sound, the part almost plays itself.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Harrison Mixbus 32C. I owned the original analog console and love what they have done with the software. Custom Metz Amplifier (dumblish) Fender, Gibson, Alembic Ovation guitars. LA-610 and a Neumann U47FET get most of the work done here.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Larry Carlton, Albert Lee, Rick Ruben, Bob Clearmountain
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I play guitar parts to enhance the overall mix. Bass parts really enjoy mixing great songs.
I was the Mix Guitar Bass Mastering in this production
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $500 per song
- Electric GuitarAverage price - $100 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $100 per song
1 revision. Allow a week turnaround, but I try to work much faster than that.
- Harrison Mixbus 32C with Apogee
- Slate and UA plugins.
For a limited time, with a brand new studio and my retirement from other obligations, I'm offering the first song of your project for only $50. Regular rate is $500 per song.
