Mastering

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

A: I recently worked on a Drum & Bass track that had been sent to a lot of different mastering engineers and none had got it right. I felt a bit of pressure as I got the impression this person had a very high expectation for what he wanted but I knocked in out of the park, first try, no revisions and he was extremely happy that I managed to capture what he was aiming for.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My album, half electronic, half orchestral, a mix of so many different styles. It will be ready for the end of 2017

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

A: When I find them I'll let you know!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. 1. Convenience 2. Precision 3. The argument analog had before was sound quality (mojo, magic etc) but... digital is catching up so fast. Soon you'll be able to enjoy all of those magic bonuses that you got from running sound through the "real world" but with more accuracy and no breakdowns!

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

A: To capture the sound they are after, if not then we look at revisions which I'm happy to provide at no extra cost.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Spending lots of time alone with audio.

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

A: Do I get any discount for bulk song purchases :)

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

A: That I am here to just make things loud. Yes that happens but there is so much more to it than that.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Turnaround time required, format required, any specific references

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

A: Get in contact, get a dialogue open as early as possible so I can get an idea for you and the project and what you are intending. This is much more likely to yield the results you are after. Provide references, background of the music and what you are looking for from mastering. If you just send me a track with no information of course I'll work my hardest to get the sound I think is right but it leaves me trying to figure out exactly what you are going for.

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

A: Laptop, DAC, Headphones, I really don't need any more hardware so Plugin wise I'll add Pro-Q 2 & DMG Limitless

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

A: I've worked in live engineering, studio recording and production of my own tracks. I feel most comfortable with mastering though. My own world where I can focus in on the tiniest of details that can make huge impacts. I've been working with audio for over 10 years now, I have been mastering on and off for around 8 of those years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Electronic dance musician can't stop making orchestral, film-score inspired music.

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

A: Noisia, simple, they're production skills are out of this world.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Engage with your emotions as much as possible with every decision you make. Alswys be asking yourself if what you're doing is enhancing the emotion impact of what you are trying to achieve.

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

A: Drum & Bass, Trance, Dubstep, Techno, House

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Working with Electronic Dance music

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Vision, but a vision that aims to keep as true to the artists intentions as much as possible. Whether that's a slight "lift" or a very heavy-handed approach. As long as the client is happy then it's a success.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: With Mastering, Listening to the track and thinking not only about my initial impression and idea of progression but what the artists goal is (this is influenced by our prior conversation) After that, some listening to references of a similar style that have "achieved what I think this track is trying to achieve emotionally" Then the real work begins!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Minimal

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

A: Noisia, Tipper, Infected Mushroom, Hans Zimmer

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

A: Mastering