Recording studio, mix engineer

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

A: I’m particularly proud of my recent work with Muney D, an artist I signed to my label. He has a hit record called "Woke Up," and after hearing my music, he invited me to feature on one of his tracks. This project excites me because not only did I sign and produce for him, but I’m also an artist on the record. The mix turned out great, even with just an MP3 beat, but I recently received the stems and am now re-mixing it to make it even better.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently, I’m mixing a record for a client, Magic Himself, who collaborated with a singer on a new track. I’m also producing beats for an artist I’ve signed to my label, 3400 Entertainment, named Muney D. Additionally, I’m re-mixing some of his tracks after receiving the stems to achieve an even higher-quality mix.

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

A: At this moment, no. While I’m sure there are many talented individuals, I haven’t had the chance to explore or collaborate with anyone on the platform yet.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I use both. Digital is essential for efficiency and flexibility, but it often lacks the depth that analog provides. Analog gear adds a 3D quality to sound, giving it a more tangible feel, which is why I like to run my vocals and instruments through analog equipment for added depth. However, the convenience and versatility of digital cannot be ignored, especially when handling multiple projects.

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

A: I promise a 72-hour turnaround per song and a noticeable improvement in sound quality. I’m committed to reaching commercial quality on every project I work on.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love the process of enhancing someone’s sound and adding my creative touch. It’s rewarding to take a good record and elevate it to the next level. The ability to collaborate with artists and use my imagination to shape their vision is what keeps me passionate about music.

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

A: Clients frequently ask about turnaround time, which is typically 48 to 72 hours. They also ask for my opinion on their tracks, whether I can enhance the record, and sometimes for advice on how they can improve. If I have feedback, I offer it, but if the recording is solid, I proceed with the mix.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that engineers can make anything sound great. Our role is to enhance a recording, but the initial recording needs to be of good quality for us to work with. If a track is poorly recorded, there’s only so much we can do. As the saying goes, “you can’t polish a turd.”

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always ask clients what direction they want to take the record. Additionally, I ask for reference tracks or any specific instructions they have for the mix.

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

A: It’s crucial to ensure that everything you're providing is recorded properly, whether it’s vocals or instruments. Proper room treatment is essential to reduce reverberation, and you want to avoid recording at levels that cause distortion. Always use a pop filter to reduce plosives and ensure your files are high-quality WAVs, not MP3s. If you have any specific requirements for the mix, share them with me, along with a reference track if available.

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

A: While being on a desert island without electricity presents a challenge lol, just to play aalong, I’d take my computer, microphone, audio interface, headphones, and monitors. With these essentials, I can handle everything else in the box.

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

A: I'm 35 years old, and I've explored various career paths over the years. From wanting to be a scientist as a child to pursuing basketball and art, my interests were diverse. However, music has been the constant in my life since I was 13. Freestyling at the breakfast table in sixth grade ignited my passion, and I spent my school years focused on writing rhymes. When studio time became inconsistent, I took matters into my own hands, downloading Fruity Loops and Acid Pro to produce and record my own music. Since then, I’ve been committed to music production, and professionally, I’ve been in this field for about 10 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is often described as unorthodox and futuristic. Many refer to me as "Drip" because I bring a fresh, new-age sound to every project. My expertise in modern techniques like autotune, heavy reverbs, and delays, combined with creative vocal manipulation, sets me apart. My goal when mixing a record is to create an immersive sound experience that transports listeners to their own world.

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

A: I’m open to working with a variety of artists, but I would love the opportunity to collaborate with Future. His cadence, unique voice, and distinctive rhyme schemes are truly captivating. Additionally, working with a vocalist like Summer Walker would be amazing. I have a passion for working with singers because of the vocal range and creative possibilities that come with manipulating and enhancing a singer’s voice.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One essential tip I can offer is the importance of taking ear breaks. Just like muscles, your ears can become fatigued, which can lead to distorted and inaccurate sound perception. Regular breaks are key to ensuring you're hearing things accurately. Additionally, organization is crucial. While creativity is vital in music production and engineering, maintaining structure and organization allows that creativity to flow more freely.

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

A: I have experience working across a variety of genres, including rock, pop, hip-hop, contemporary, and orchestration. However, my most frequent projects involve hip-hop and R&B.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my ability to understand the artistic vision behind a song and translate it into a captivating auditory experience. I focus on blending creativity with technical precision to bring the record to life. Whether it’s finding the right sonic balance or adding unique touches, I ensure that the final result is not only professional but also true to the artist’s original intent. My goal is to make the song feel complete, as if the listener is stepping into a fully formed world

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring character, clarity, and immersion to a song. My goal is to create a sonic atmosphere that transports the listener into the world envisioned by the artist. I carefully enhance the emotional direction of the track, ensuring every element within the mix complements the artist’s intent. I aim for the listener to not just hear the song but experience it as a fully realized soundscape, where every detail has been crafted to heighten its impact.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process begins with organizing and arranging both instruments and vocals. I ensure every track is properly labeled and color-coded for efficiency. Afterward, I meticulously clean up the audio, removing any background noise or unwanted artifacts. Once the audio is pristine, I route the vocals through my preamp and compressor before bringing them back into the session. From there, I apply volume automation to achieve consistent levels across the project. I then move into the mixing phase, focusing on balancing clarity with character to create a cohesive environment for the song. Once the mix is polished, I proceed with the mastering stage, ensuring the final product is both powerful and professional.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup is designed to be intimate yet highly functional, offering a soundproof environment for precise audio work. It features a pair of Yamaha HS8 monitors alongside a smaller set of PreSonus monitors for a balanced listening experience. I use an Apogee Duet 3 audio interface, paired with a Neumann U87 and an Oktava MK-319 microphone for exceptional vocal capture. My outboard gear includes a Neve 1073 preamp, Tubetech CL-1B compressor, LA-2A Telectronics compressor, Universal Audio 1176 compressor, and an Avalon 737 vintage tube preamp. I also utilize a PreSonus Studio channel strip for added flexibility. My setup is powered by a custom-built PC, and I work with a combination of Studio One 6, Pro Tools 12, and FL Studio 23. Additionally, I incorporate a Novation Launchkey 25 for MIDI control, ensuring a streamlined and efficient workflow.

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

A: I’m deeply inspired by Chris Lord-Alge, a legendary audio engineer who has mastered virtually every genre. His approach to mixing, rooted in simplicity and the philosophy that ‘less is more,’ has shaped my own approach to audio engineering. I also admire MixedByAli, not only for his incredible work but for the platform he built with Engineers, empowering audio professionals globally. TZO is another major influence, particularly his work with artists like Chris Brown. His ability to strip away unnecessary elements and trust in what already sounds great is a key principle I incorporate into my own mixing style.

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

A: The most common type of work I do involves mixing and mastering both vocals and instruments for my clients. Typically, I work on full songs, which may include multiple vocal tracks alongside individual instrumental stems, or a combination of vocals and two-track mp3s. My experience spans a wide range of projects, from full orchestral arrangements to simpler productions using YouTube beats, and everything in between. I specialize in editing, creating radio edits, enhancing vocal clarity, and ensuring a polished final mix and master that meets professional industry standards.