Sound Your Best.

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

A: Most commonly, I work with artists from the beginning of a project as their Producer - first demoing a melody or a chorus that - over time - develops into a full-fledged, fully-arranged song & sound. That's roughly 50% of my work. 30% involves mixing previously recorded tracks (with the occasional over-dubs) for artists. Another 10% involves music, mixing and sound-design for film, TV & web-productions and the final 10% involves VO sessions and composing/recording/producing music for advertising agencies and Fortune 500 clients.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It doesn't matter much. It's more about the artist, the song & the process. . .and then identifying the best way to make it all happen.

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

A: I promise that I am here for you - the artist. Also - I promise that you'll be stoked. If you're not, I didn't do my job.

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

A: I started singing at age 5, playing trumpet at age 8, french-horn at 13 and tinkering with recording, mixing & playback as a teen-ager. By high-school I was writing, performing and recording - which I continued through college, onward into my life in NYC & up to this day. I had a "9 to 5" career that started on Madison Avenue that eventually took me into digital publishing. All the while I spent my nights & weekends perfecting my craft, until I eventually started my own business - engineering, mixing, producing & composing full-time.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't get hung up on the technology or the room or the gear or someone's resume. The biggest difference-maker will be the "quality" of the people you're working. Is there mutual respect? Are you able to communicate well with them (and them with you)? Do you feel at ease with them? Do you all share the same goals? If you can say "yes" to these, you'll avoid 95% of the problems that delay/derail a project - which frees you up to create and express your art.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: To know that as the producer/mixer/engineer, it's not about me. I've heard way too many stories of where artists are working with someone that forces their vision &/or sounds onto the artists' project. If a client wants my input or POV on the songwriting, instrumentation, arrangement, production, etc., I'll give it. . . .but I firmly believe that it's not about what I want - it's about the artist, their project & their vision.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I've been a musician, singer & a songwriter for well over 30 years, now - so I understand how music is written, made, manufactured, distributed, consumed & experienced. Just as importantly - I understand the artist's journey and the "birthing" of their art.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: By and large, I work in the box. Namely - Pro Tools, a handful of interfaces (depending on the project), loads of nice plug-ins, some high-quality mics, a handful of nice tube pre-amps, plenty of keyboards, guitars & amps. . . .and a nice, comfortable environment in which to work.

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

A: Familiarize yourself with their work. If you like what you hear, have a chat and ask good questions. If you feel comfortable and get the answers you like, you're on the right track.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Having happy clients. Hey - I know from experience that it can be really hard as an artist to create your art. So when a project is done and I see that smile on a client's face and they say "Wow - I can't believe it! This is so much better than I ever imagined!", I know I did my job.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: It's important that a client can verbalize their creative vision, have a clear goal and define their budget. From there, all other questions, choices and options follow.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Open, flexible, professional & supportive.

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

A: It's not something I can define by genre. . .I like many types of music. In the end - I tend to work on music that I enjoy and relate to.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The process varies with each client. . .but my approach is to understand their goals & needs and then work with them to achieve their vision. I know I've done my job well when my clients aren't concerned with the technology and gear that's involved but are instead liberated and free to create their art.

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

A: Producers like Tom Dowd, George Martin, Quincy Jones & Phil Ramone - all producers that don't so much have a "signature sound" but rather encourage & empower artists to do their best work. Musicians: all the artists that have the courage to follow their muse - including Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def & John Lennon (to name a few).

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

A: That my job is easy. It's not. Engineering, mixing and producing music requires years of experience and massive amounts of technical skill. . . .as well strong communication skills, a professional attitude and empathy for the client.