Recording | Mixing | Mastering

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

A: My first major job for blues legend Long John Baldry. I was young, it was his last record before he died.. 2 weeks of stories about the greats, and an artist who'd recorded with probably every star on the planet!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Rock album from TCT, 1980's inspired pop from a band called 198X...

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

A: Me probably...

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital 100%, flexibility, ease of use, cost... simple as that.

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

A: you'll get the very best out of yourself...with my help.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like interacting with bands, I'm a professional musician as well as producer so it's nice to step into someone else's bubble!

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

A: Usually cost related, but in my area the prices are pretty much the same across the board..

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

A: That it all cool songs and bands. Much of it is grinding out commercial music...

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How late do you think the drummer will be!? But seriously.... Nah, just how late the drummer will be...

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

A: Know your shit before you pay to record. Practice and know the songs inside out..

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

A: laptop, cans, guitar, midi controller and sunglasses!

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

A: Started at the old J&E Valley college recording on 1/4" tape in the mid-90's.. I was luck to learn from some seriously good recording engineers..

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Forward, modern, wide, BIG, less isn't more...

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

A: MJ if he was still alive, but today? Probably Biffy Clyro, they're a very interesting and creative band.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Mix WAY quieter than you are...

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

A: Everything, rock, pop, jazz, metal! I have seen a bit of everything.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'd say mixing and post, I certainly find that's the most creative part.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Definitely a impartial third opinion! I see myself in a session as a band coach, I've been recording since the mid-90's so that experience helps the creative process.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the job, but certainly for recording work I like to see the band live if possible, You get the essence of an artist in a live environment. Once in the studio I'm fastidious about the details, particularly capturing the right tone at the point of recording...

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Now 100% In-the box. Studio is based around a powerful 8-core i9 Mac running all the popular DAWS. The interface is a super clean Apogee and Audient pre-amp's. Mixing is done via Amphion One18's in a very well treated environment.

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

A: Bruce Swedien is my go-to for sonic perfection, also a big fan of Andy Wallace..

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

A: I mostly track in-house, but since Covid we've seen our work shift to remote mixing and production.