Brent Quinton (HitRecord) on SoundBetter

I have 20 years experience in the professional audio industry. As a multi-instrumentalist, composer and engineer, I have an acute understanding of music as a sum of disciplines, allowing me to make excellent musical choices across the entire spectrum of creative phases.

Growing up in Durban, South Africa, I was exposed to an eclectic mix of music. Having african music culture in my blood, while simultaneously embracing western pop/rock music that I heard on radio, and saw on TV left me with a unique understanding of an unusually wide variety of music styles. I began playing music in my teens, and eventually went on to study, and pursue a music career, specializing in audio recording and post-production.

I have become post-production specialist, having worked in recorded music for artist production, live audio engineering and recording, music and VO for advertising, TV and film. I have worked in a vast variety of musical styles, and have a good understanding of what separates good music production from average.

My attention to detail is what separates me from most, being able to fine tune details that seemingly slip through the cracks with others.

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

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Interview with Brent Quinton (HitRecord)

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: A few years back, I got a call to engineer a track that had been written by Barry Gibb (Bee Gees) for a movie that was being produced locally. The song featured vocals by Barry himself, as well as a local legend named Vusi Mahlasela, and the track was being produced by John Ellis (Tree 63) I recorded the parts (with the exception of Barry's vocals, which were recorded in L.A.) as well as do a final mix of the track. Was a kinda surreal moment for me, working with such highly acclaimed artists! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Vnk0LLaXw&ab_channel=VusiMahlaselaVEVO
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Song production / collaboration with artists. Final mix and masters.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both! - Analog for saturation and compression (on the way in) - Digital for ease of use, accuracy and consistency. As much as I love my analog gear, the digital world has become so amazingly flexible that it's possible to do things in the digital realm that analog could only dream of.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I'll do everything to the best of my ability to realize the vision that YOU as an artist have for your works.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Seeing a rough idea finally culminate in a polished final master that the artist is proud of.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Is it possible to do (X)? ..... My answer is that typically there isn't a right or wrong when it comes to a creative decision, but there will be a repercussion of whichever decision is made - whichever way that it is made.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That almost anything can be fixed regardless of how badly it was recorded.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Ideally, where would you like this production to land up being represented?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have a very clear idea of what you do, and don't want. Having a sound takes some time, but forging a direction is something about trusting your gut!
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Dave Grohl. Seems to be a super musical guy, and looks a lot of fun to work with! Complete legend too!
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Musically based choices to enhance the impact and flow of a production.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Mac - Logic Pro X - Mackie Monitoring - Metric Halo I/O - API, Great River, Hairball Audio, IGS analog front end and compression.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Eric Valentine - Christian Henson - Andy Scheps
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Final mix engineering - track mastering - editing/comping/tuning.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop - ULN2 interface - SM7B - Kemper - Strat.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Started playing guitar at age 15 - progressed to playing in pro touring bands. Decided to study audio engineering and then moved into music production as a full time job at the age of 21. Been in the industry for 22 years.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Conveying emotion is the end goal of a musical arrangement. Do whatever is necessary to make the music "feel" right - not sound right.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock / pop - singer songwriter.