Recording⎪Mixing⎪Mastering

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

A: Second full length album of Fabulae Dramatis. They're a very diverse, open-minded guitar driven band, combining metal with influences from all over the world. I had to record instruments that I didn't even know existed. It was challenging bringing it all together in a mix but very proud with the result. Rules are there to be broken and Fabulae Dramatis is the perfect example!

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

A: Not yet but hope to make some connections.

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

A: Macbook Pro, Neve 1073, Townsend Labs Sphere L22 mic, guitar and a coffee machine!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I'll ask them to send 3 reference tracks to give me an idea of what overall sound they're after. I'll also ask for clearly named multitracks, NOT "audio_1", "audio_2",... but "Kick", "Snare",... Specials request per song (effects, edits,...) before mixing starts are a huge timesaver as well.

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

A: Aim to track/record your songs in the best quality and as tight as possible. Record DI tracks of the guitars and bass as well so we can re-amp if necessary. Try to avoid the "we'll fix it in the mix" mentality. If you track mediocre you'll end up with a good mix but if you track great you'll end up with a fantastic mix!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Punchy & polished, in your face! As I've been playing in punkrock and hardcore bands for many years myself, I also look at the mix from a musicians' perspective. When the goosebumps arrive, I know I'm in the good direction!

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

A: Butch Vig, Steve Albini, Chris Lord Alge, Jordan Valeriote

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. Plugins these days are so good that you get the best of both worlds. You can back off on the analog emulations if needed, bring down hiss etc. And recalling sessions is instantly which makes revisions much faster.

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

A: That I'll do whatever's in my power to deliver a mix/master they're happy with. As I said before, musicians work hard on their songs, I see it as my duty to give them a mix/master they are proud of. Once they release their songs they're out there forever!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: You never stop learning new tricks, there's always room for improvement. But what I like most about my job is diving into a mix to make the pieces of the puzzle fall together, making clients happy/proud of the end result.

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

A: I started recording demos on a 4-track tape recorder in the 90's to help out local bands. Gradually upscaled into the DAW world starting with a Roland VS880. I was always intrigued by the recording/mixing engineers when standing at the other side of the glass tracking guitar for my bands. First it was all a hobby but eventually couldn't combine it anymore with my day job so decided to take the jump and went fulltime pro running my own studio (High Lake Hill Studio) in 2007.

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

A: I mainly do full productions for guitar driven bands (recording, editing, mixing & mastering). Musicians work hard on their songs so it's my goal to give them a production that represents their vision and they can be proud of.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I mix in the box with Pro Tools HDX and an Avid S4-24 fader mixing console. I've got a huge list of plugins in my arsenal, the options are almost endless. I prefer to mix in the box because it makes revisions so much faster, the session is back in front of me with the push of a button!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I ask the band to send me 3 reference tracks to give me a better idea of the sound they're after. I usually mix one or two songs and send these out to the band, they give me feedback and I'll keep on tweaking the mix until they're completely satisfied. From then on I'll start mixing the other songs, the band gets 3 included revisions per song. Most of the times 3 revisions are enough to bring the project home.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more! If you're going for a wall of sound, hard hitting production, there's no need for excessive layers of guitars. Just track 2 rhythm guitars (left and right) as tight as possible.

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

A: Streetpunk, Punkrock, Hardcore, Metal and Alternative/Indie

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'm a perfectionist when it comes to editing & mixing.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I've been in bands myself since the early 90's and know from experience how hard it sucks when you pay a recording studio hard earned cash and get a mediocre result. When you release a song it's out there forever, so I will do whatever's in my power to make an amazing, in your face mix that puts a smile on the artist's face!