I've mixed and mastered hundreds of songs, several of which have charted on the Mediabase Top 40 Hot AC singles. I specialize in the alternative and heavy rock genres, as well as indie genres. My mix room is acoustically treated so it's a perfect mixing and mastering environment.
My name is Drew. As an independent musician myself, I love working with independent bands to help them bring their vision together. I love taking the raw pieces and making it into a polished final product. I want you to love what you've made.
I worked for almost 10 years helping design some of the best known pieces of gear in the industry.
I have over 20 years of experience in making music, from being a session musician and producing, to mixing and mastering.
My mix room is acoustically treated and is a great environment to mix music and hear all the little details and nuances of your music.
Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.
Interview with Drew Heaton
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both have their advantages. I love the risk and requirement of choice that analog requires. I love the flexibility and the easy recall of digital.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I want you to be in love with the results. We'll work on it until you're totally happy with it.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love hearing peoples music. I love hearing music that I wouldn't otherwise hear.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That a mix engineer can work magic on a bad song or a poor arrangement.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What two artists do you want to sound like the most?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Up front communication about expectations is the key to good results! Let's talk about your hopes for your song and what you want it to sound like.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: This is such a stupid question. Honestly, if I were on a desert island do you think I would be mixing??
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started recording my own music in my bedroom shortly after graduating high school, and it was horrible. That led me to becoming obsessed with the whole realm of music production. Along the way I fell in love with mixing and mastering.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Gritty and grungy, full of emotion and passion.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work with Trent Reznor. I love his production style and his philosophy.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Make sure everything is recorded and arranged well! Great mixing won't save poor playing or a bad arrangement.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I typically work in the rock genre, especially alternative and heavy rock.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I would say my strongest skill is being able to intuit the vibe of the song that the artist is going for.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a fresh set of ears and a love for making things stand out and be unique. I want your music to stand above the crowd.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: For mixing, I import all your files first. Then I organize everything according to my system (labelling, coloring, routing, etc.) so that I know where everything is. Then I usually start on the chorus and solo the kick, then the snare, then the rest of the kit, then add the bass, then guitars and keys then vocals. I find that way I can build a solid foundation for the vocals to rest on.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a good sized mix room, approximately 12x14, that has been acoustically treated so that every little nuance of a recording can be heard.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I find myself most inspired musically and sonically by a lot of late 90's grunge and hard rock. They were sonically excellent: punchy, clear, heavy, but not overdone. Musically they are about as good as it gets.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My most common work is mixing and mastering, especially for independent bands.
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