Producer/Multi-instrumentalist

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I always work directly with the artist or singer-songwriter. We get the concept and ideas together, then, we'll start building tracks (unless it's the kind of project that we need to track with a whole band together). In building the tracks, we usually look at cutting the songs as guitar (usually to a click) and vocals in order to make sure we've got our keys and tempos right and feeling great. Once we do that, then we either start recording other instruments in layers, or we'll track a whole band at once. Often, it's a combination of both. From there we start adding any "extras", mixing, living with the mixes for awhile, then mastering.

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

A: Listen to work they've done, and then have a good, meaningful conversation!

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

A: Lots of water, a guitar, a concertina, a tin whistle ... and a truck load of Kit Kat bars!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Yes! Definitely think about how a song should flow. Use the lyric and vocal as your guide to what's appropriate, and DO NOT just add a bunch of tracks and think you'll "sort it out" in the mix. That concept of throwing things against the wall does not usually add up to a coherent, organic, musical recording. Have less tracks that say more, as opposed to many tracks that are trying to compete with each other for sonic space!

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

A: Usually acoustic, singer-songwriter style music, though I've done quite a bit of instrumental and Irish music as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: For me, I feel that my instrumental playing, arranging, production, and engineering all weave together in an very important way, in order to add a coherent unified craft to the music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: What I bring to a song is many, many years of, not only studio experience, but a lifetime of experience with the acoustic, singer-songwriter vein of music. Also, being an arranger and orchestrator, I feel that those skills come into play when building tracks and mixing, even if there's no strings or orchestra involved.

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

A: Usually I work with artist and singer-songwriter, and produce records from top to bottom. At other times, I get hired to do instrumental overdub, arranging, etc on an already existing project.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a Pro Tools rig. I use Lucid Converters, John Hardy and Nueve mic pres, and Avalon compressors. My mic selection includes: Sony C800g tube mic, Royer 122 ribon mics (matched pair), AKG 451 mics (matched pair), Gefell M930 mics (matched pair), a pair of Earthworks Omni mics (matched pair), and some other very useful mics like a pair of Audio Technica 4033 mics, etc.