Remote Mixing/Session Musician

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Currently a modest sized home studio that is set up for overdubs, mixing, and mastering. I use analog preamps which are integrated into Universal Audio Apollo interfaces. Most of my mixes are done entirely in-the-box with plugins, but have a very analog feel to them.

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

A: I'm especially proud of an album I made called One Thousand Homes. It's an album that I wrote and recorded with my wife in the studio that we built together. We learned a lot throughout the process, and it inspired us to write and record music no matter where we live and to collaborate with other musicians whenever you get the chance.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Recording and producing an album with my band, Those Folk. Also collaborating remotely with friends all over the US, England, and Australia.

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

A: I'm new to the community but see a lot of great, like-minded people out there!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog for recording, digital for mixing. When recording with analog equipment, you maximize the amount of color and headroom that you can capture in your performance. That sound can then be preserved and mixed in the computer with top-of-the-line plugins to save time and money, whilst still maximizing tone and character.

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

A: I promise to always listen to their ideas, and try my best to help them sound like the artist they want to be.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love being part of a project that really pushes me to be the best version of myself, and inspires me to try new things as an artist.

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

A: The biggest misconception about music production is that you need the biggest, most state-of-the-art studio to work in. All you need is to understand the music, your gear, and trust your ears.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you want your music to have an acoustic feel and sound, or an electric sound?

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

A: Be sure to find someone who can really get a feel for your overall vision as an artist. Don't let anyone take you in a direction that you don't want to go in.

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

A: Guitar, Neumann U47, Apollo Interface, Macbook Pro, Yamaha NS10 studio monitors.

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

A: I studied music production in college, graduated in 2011, and have been recording and producing music professionally ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Rooted in early styles of songwriting and recording, but always adapting and looking ahead.

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

A: Dan Aurbach, because I love his songwriting and the way that he brings his music to life with musical textures which are both familiar as well as unique and contemporary.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure that the song doesn't get lost in the production.

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

A: Folk and Americana songs featuring mostly acoustic instruments, but some electric keyboards and guitars.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I always try to bring color, atmosphere, and cohesion to a song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I listen to a track and try to visualize the direction that the artist is pursuing. Then, if I've been hired as a session musician, I play along on various instruments to see which ones best suit the song and the genre. When mixing, I always try to mix for the genre. I have certain production techniques that I enjoy using which I've achieved great results with in the past. But I always love trying new ideas and using production references.

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

A: I'm inspired by all of the musicians who are putting themselves out there and pursuing their music whole heartedly.

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

A: Overdubbing instruments and mixing songs.