Producer Editor Trombone Voice

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

A: I'm quite proud of all of my contributions to various projects over the decades. For the most recent though, please listen to my clip.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A few private projects including being in the planning stages for Cheryl's next recording.

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

A: Yes. Happy to do so via private conversations.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, hands down. I grew up with Vinyl record and tape. The signal to noise ratio on both mediums always drove me crazy. Also, because of Analog's ever-present issue of sonic loss with each successive copy, the hoops through which the industry had to jump to get a great sounding final product were ridiculous. On the other hand, for signal processing and amplification, analog will always be my favorite since in these two areas, the end product always sounds more real or natural.

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

A: Honesty along with quick and precise work.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love knowing that I've been able to effectively communicate with the client simply by hearing/reading their comments after providing the product when my work is complete.

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

A: Typically, "here is what I'm hearing in my head, can you fix that/make that happen/etc.?"

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

A: Most folks haven't a clue how much time and dedication it takes to become a professional performing musician. Everyone who has gone through that process (10k hours), has vastly more experience than those who have not.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Mixing/production: What is your vision for this track or project? What artist/s have most influenced you regarding this project? Editing: Exactly what types of correction do you seek and how much correction do you want?

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

A: An appropriate answer here requires a conversation with each potential client.

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

A: Probably just a travel guitar. There would be no electricity so I'd be focused more on survival gear.

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

A: I've been a working pro musician since 1986 and I've been working with ProTools since 1995.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: A true professional's personal leanings should never come into play. It is only what the client wants that matters.

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

A: I've had the pleasure of working with so many...they are listed on my website bio at SlideAdams.com. There are so many more with whom I hope to work.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If it is too perfect, it has been dehumanized, IE sterile and robotic.

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

A: Please listen to the sample track and my Soundcloud playlist. I'm phenomenally diverse.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My decades of experience coupled with my work ethic.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A complete picture of how ALL instruments sound when you are standing near that instrument being played by a master craftsman. Many producers/editors are completely ignorant of this, having never been a performing musician, and/or having the 99% of their experience with musical instruments conveyed to them through the filter of and amplifier and speakers, as opposed to being in the same room with a professional performing that instrument.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Methodical. I'll work exclusively on one type of edit throughout a track and when that is complete, will switch to the next edit. If I need a break I wait until there is a natural break in the workflow, thereby avoiding the question "where was I with this track?" I always know exactly where I left off because it will be at the next item on the list.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: ProTools, Traveler Interface, MacMini Server, Condenser Mic in portable iso-booth. Large Collection of Trombones and other brass to zero in the right sound for your genre.

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

A: There are too many to list.

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

A: Approximately a 50/50 split between editing and tracking.