Recording Studio

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! They are both useful on different terms. There is analog that can't be replaced, and there is digital that can't be replaced. Some of the analog sounds, that are not from knock-off manufacturers, really are still in a league of their own, and can't be touched. When it comes to digital, it really helps with ease of use, and the creative process. Sometimes just inserting a digital plug-in opens an entirely different world in a matter of minutes, that you otherwise would not find using analog equipment, spending hours or days at a time.

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

A: You will be satisfied with your recording or your money back.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The process of creating and listening to the recording grow as I engineer the recording.

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

A: That all engineers do is press record, follow some tutorial about compression, reverb, EQ, and limiting, and then bounce the recording.

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

A: API 512c, Neumann TLM 103, Neve 1073, Universal Audio 1176, SSL Mastering Buss Compressor

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

A: I would like to work with artists that are true talents, humble, highly skilled, and ready to make way into the independent college radio scene.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try to listen to the vibe of the music, and make as minor adjustments as possible. A .1 db adjustment can make or break a record, to either sound like the direction you are going for, or to sound like something that is not what you had in mind when writing the recording.

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

A: I work on music that comes to me. I really try to work with what I am given, whether it is a recording artist that is highly experienced, or a recording artist that is new to recording. I can also give free consultation on what I think you could do to improve the result of working with me. I am not someone that tries to be secretive about what I do, and I can explain every suggestion I make or minor adjustment to the recording artist for clarification, or for them to simply be able to grow as a recording artist.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my ear. Some recording artists may think that this just means I engineer recordings that sound too delicate, and not loud enough. I have experience with Hip-Hop, and in your face drums and vocals. I also have experience with recording and mastering classical piano. Do not think that if you are a Hip-Hop or Rock musical genre recording artist, that I will engineer your recordings to sound like classical music. I will not. I will engineer your recordings for the crowd you are trying to target, not just a vague genre.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a young, and modern ear to a song. I really have an ear that can translate well to all ages, whether it's the younger Generation Z, Generation Y, Generation X, or Baby Booomer elders. I really do not have any weaknesses as an engineer, and have a very strong fundamental, and advanced skill set that can translate to any crowd or community.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I begin with drums, and make sure the recording has a tight rhythm to groove to. Then I move on to the instruments, such as bass, guitar, keyboard, piano, violin, and synths, you name it. After the music is sounding high-fidelity and pristine, I move onto my favorite part, which is the vocal. I am someone who allows the recording artist to shine, and pay extreme attention to detail with the vocal, that is usually supposed to be the highlight of the recording. After the mixing process, I take the record into the mastering phase. I am not someone that just uses a mastering compressor, and then carelessly equalizes the recording, and puts on a limiter to make the recording as loud as possible. I truly have a reason for every minor adjustment that I make throughout the entire mastering process. There is nothing that I do that does not somehow enhance the recording in a positive manner. Just making something louder does not enhance a recording to me. However, this does not mean that the recordings that I work on do not sound commercial and radio-ready. Whether you are trying to promote your recordings on college radio shows, or mainstream radio, I am ready to take your work to a higher level than you thought possible.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a project-studio setup that can do wonderful and marvelous things to music. It is all I need. I have the equipment and hardware that I need to get a pristine and high-fidelity out of the box vocal sound. I also use a SSL Mastering Buss Compressor for my masters. The plugins I use are carefully selected and are some of the best plugins in the business.

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

A: In 2020, there are not many musicians or professionals that inspire me. I am inspired by recording artists that I work with.

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

A: Recording, mixing, and mastering, with a keen ear to extreme detail, making minor adjustments that make the recording artist shine in the best possible light that they can.