Mixing & Mastering

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

A: TheEarthlings - The Dimensions, the reason why because, I put so much creativity into it. it was my first big project and it went out every where. I put so many sounds and production into it, so many well thought out skits and well put together track listing. it is a gold album to me, it's a classic for sure. I was finding out new ways to produce and mix through that album.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My solo project called "Ahead". TheEarthlings new project, and GregNWMN's new Project.

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

A: I don't know anyone on soundbetter, but I think there are people on SoundBetter who have mixed for one of my bestfriends who go's by the name of Goldlink, which is amazing.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because to me its more resourceful, but maybe analog for more of a natural vintage feel.

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

A: My promise to you I that I will never leave a session until its perfect, that I will put all of my effort into your project.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I like most about it, is that I can make something sound INCREDIBLE .... that I can make good music.

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

A: if I could turn it up on this part, or mix this part like this, or can I do this or that, but I am already on top of it. I just say I got you, or yes definitely. when I am in a session sometimes people I am already familiar with will say something like can you turn up this part because *silence .... and I turn my head and I'm like yeah I already know lol and then we laugh ahaha because I am already on top of it and they know I know what I am doing.

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

A: that I work in some huge professional, thousands of dollars equipment studio somewhere out in Hollywood haha. I just know how to mix really good and produce really good.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: what sound are you going for. how would you like this to sound, like what are you going for. or what kind of beats are you into, if they want beats from me, I like to visualize what the artist wants. it depends on what they want, and then I try and work my magic.

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

A: Be professional, have all your files in order and ready.be specific about what you want. pay attention to detail. know exactly want you want before you contact me. only contact me unless your really serious about it. uuumm .... just show that you really want to work and I am down. but only if I really like your sound.

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

A: something that could power all my equipment, a hard drive with thousands apon thousands of drum kits, samples and sounds, piano rolls, synth sounds and all of that. food and water unless I knew I would be good with that lol like if I always had it. a ton of anime and movies. my mic and my laptop with wifi ahaha.

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

A: my career path has been such a journey, I've been doing this since 16 years old. I started out with a label based out in Carson, CA. called Top Dawg Ent. I was off and on with them for a few years, then started established my own business and learned it all on my own, still learning stuff about my career till this day. I started out just recording, to recording myself, then mixing for myself, then I started producing, then it went on and on. now I am so good at it from none stop grinding. I learned I wanted to learn.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: my style nature, its atmospheric, it's the earth, its outer space, its like I'm from another world, with a whole different sound, like I took it from another world and brought it here. my style is unique. my style is Next Generation. like if cars could hover or if we had hover boards that could shred the sky .... high technology.

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

A: I'd like to work with Derek Ali because I want to know his work process, I want to learn more from him. I want to take notes and come up with sounds with him and use it in my own music. I've known Ali from Top Dawg Ent. Since I was 16, haven't seen him in years but if I had the chance .... yes. I would work with flying lotus to see how he makes beats, to create some amazing music, something I have never done before, same with any other producer who inspires me. I'd work with Kendrick because he would make me level up fast, and I absolutely want to know his process, the way he does everything lol. he already taught me alot at a young age, I learned alot from him.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: A Music Production tip, if it sounds good to you, then keep it how it is. don't focus on trying to change things around too much, just go with it. and don't take so heavy to criticism, not everyone may like it, someone out there will love it, keep progressing and get so good that no matter what you know you'll catch peoples attention. Don't let people try and change your sound or tell you how you should do it.

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

A: I usually work on rap music, hip hop music, or R&B music, rappers and singers. I've always wanted to work on pop music and rock music, alternative music or even reggae music, something different. I like artist that are very diverse and have a unique sound.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill would have to be .... I have so many strong skills .... like I mean .... knowing where to place certain things, and making things sound a certain way, someone tells me to do something and I do it exactly how they wanted it or better. making concepts, full on stories, looking so professional with what I do. I can come up with stuff on the spot, I'm freestyling it. it's off impulse or the first thought I have for an idea. I'm not afraid to experiment.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring it .... I don't leave a session unless its perfect to me. I make my songs sound like radio hits. I surprise myself all the time. I bring passion, I don't slack and I don't lack. you will notice throughout the song like "woah he really did his thing on this song". I add little subtleties to a song, that will make you be like "I like how he did that part" that was really creative. the more you listen to it, you'll notice more and more. I like to blow away my listeners or at least make them think this is really good lol. I like quality songs, doesn't matter if I am recording, producing or mixing I like my vocals clear and my beats clear, just extremely good quality.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process, I wake up pop open my laptop, open up Presonus Studio One Expert 3 and starting making a beat. I then go through files I need to mix or need to go back to and finish. or I go download files sent to my email from clients, give it a listen, while listening I already know how I want to mix it, I'm premixing It in my head. then if I am really inspired I will record a song or complete full instrumentals. I just have to be feeling it. I turn negative energy into motivation and positive energy into greatness.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup is straight out of my house. My closet sound proof and empty has a Presonus Audiobox iOne. Also inside connected to my audiobox has a Sterling Audio ST55 Condenser Mic, and a duel headset connection to talk to the person recording inside the booth. outside of the booth I have custom made BOSE speakers, a generator powering them and a Gemini PS-650 I Stereo Mixer. both the speakers, the stand and the generator was built by my grandfather who is a heavy influence in my life. the reason why I make music today. Rest in peace to him.

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

A: I'd have to say "Derek Ali" as far as Mixing & Mastering. Also Kendrick Lamar, and many more artist, I have a whole list of musicians ahaha. for producers who inspire me its J Dilla, Flying Lotus, Nujabes, Knowledge and more. these influences are ahead of there time. make sounds out of this world. I aspire to be GREAT.

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

A: The most common type of work I do for my clients is mixing & mastering there vocals from studio sessions. people are always coming to me asking me to engineer for them. either that or I am sending them out beats I've made.