Mix Master Ghost Producer

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

A: I love the classics like Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Rush, & The Police. I also love modern groups like Bon Iver, Miike Snow, Lord Huron, and Passion Pit. As a DJ/Producer, I've had many great influences. I love Sasha, John Digweed, Danny Tengalia, and many others! Swedish House Mafia both collectively and separately have done amazing work. There are so many great producers out there!

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

A: Mixing, Mastering, Co-Production, and Ghost Production work. I have many clients that want a mix and master at first, but then I assist them with additional production to take their tracks to the next level.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in the box. I have had a room full of gear in the past, but I love working in the box. I have been a Logic Audio user for 20 years, and I also like to use Fruity Loops and Ableton. I have a UAD Apollo soundcard and I LOVE UAD and their plugins.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process is listening to the song or references uninterrupted and feeling the vibe. I then make some internal notes on what I can do and how I feel I can bring the track to the next level. I want to add my vibe and skill to the track while keeping the original artists vision. It's a collaborative effort! Teamwork makes the Dreamwork!

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

A: I would love to work with Miike Snow. They are an incredible band. A Mix of everything. Pop, EDM, Soul, Rock.

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

A: 1. Guitar 2. Dynaudio Speakers 3. Laptop! 4. Apollo 5. Neumann Mic

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

A: That mastering is just putting a limiter and widening on it. Making everything as loud as possible isn't always good!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A million things! SoundBetter is keeping me busy with many varied projects. I love it!

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

A: Eileen Jaime is an amazing singer and writer. We have worked on many projects together!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring 25 years of being a musician and 20 years of being a pro to the project. I have performed and traveled around the world as a musician, and I have worked with some of the best and most popular artists in the dance music genre. I have been producing, remixing, mixing, and mastering everyday for half of my life! I've had #1 records on Beatport and have played in the best clubs in the world. I know how tracks should sound!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I'd like to know your references, as well as artists & songs you love.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My experience is my strongest skill. I have collaborated with (Tim Bergling) Avicii, Paul van Dyk, Markus Schulz and many others. I know what it's like to work with great music and what a track needs to be to get to that next level.

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

A: I work in ALL genres, but mostly work on dance/pop music. Deep House, Trance, Trap, Progressive, Big Room, Melbourne Bounce, etc. I've also worked with clients on SoundBetter doing Country, R&B, Tropical, Hip Hop, Funk, and Pop.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I like to work in 25 minute segments, and then take a 5 minute break. Then I start again. This way, it keeps everything fresh and I don't get lost in the track.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Tough question, because I always have been diverse. I love emotional music that makes a statement. Having something special that makes it stand out from the rest.

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

A: I have been doing this for 20 years. I started off as a guitar player in my high school days, and later got really into house and techno. I worked at a music retail store after high school and learned a lot about musical equipment. I got 2 turntables and a drum machine, and that's were it all began! I grew up in South Florida, and South Beach was the place to be! Many great DJs have performed in Miami over the years, and I made my initial contacts there. I started to release records and perform in clubs at a young age, and I never stopped!

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

A: I think its important to take the song as far as you can take it. If you feel that you hit a wall, it is fine. Start a new song, and I can help you finish the other one! Music is about collaboration. Every great band has had a great producer or engineer to assist them.

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

A: If their track can be played on the radio or signed by a big label. I say yes, sure!! I can help you get it to that level.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I make music and work with great musicians everyday. It's a blessing and I am thankful for that.

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

A: 100% satisfaction. I want them to love the work, and I do unlimited revisions. I will keep working, and will start from scratch, or apply a new way of producing or mixing to get the final result rocking!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: They are both awesome! For me, working in modern production, especially EDM, I am all digital. But I do love analogue synths and tube outboard gear. The sound of analog just has this magic vibe, and its about "feel". There is a special ingredient when you use Analog gear. But as the wise say it is all about the person behind the gear!

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

A: I worked with Avicii many years ago. He was a young unknown producer at the time, and he remixed a few of my tracks. After speaking for a bit, he then flew to Las Vegas where I was living, and we produced an album together. It was amazing to see the success he had. Super nice guy and a SUPER talent.