Mixer, vocal & string arranger

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

A: This Compass Box live session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdYAmfE1I4U I was involved with arranging the track, performing live violin and backing vocals, and then the mix for release. Really proud of how this turned out!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A couple pop tracks, a metal track, constant flow of Compass Box live sessions.

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

A: Thomas Juth! He mixed my band Heat SInk's debut EP and single. Great guy and true professional.

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

A: The job's not done till you're 100% satisfied with the result!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That I get to be part of the musical journey of so many artists, and make their vision come to life!

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

A: That mix engineers are magicians who'll fix any mistake and/or poor recording and make it sound like a million dollar recording! Get your stuff right at the source!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of sound do they envision for their song, what artist/album would they describe as reference for style and production.

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

A: Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be intimidated if you're a beginner. Have a clear vision for your song and convey it clearly to the person you hire.

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

A: My violin, my laptop, audio interface, a mic and headphones. Island life sorted.

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

A: I've been involved with music for the last 5 years professionally. I started off as a vocalist and violinist with my band and for studio sessions, and initially started with mixing my own vocal recordings for my videos. I joined Compass Box Studio as a contributor to the live sessions, playing violin and singing, and decided to try out mixing some of the sessions. With more and more sessions across genres, I became increasingly confident about my mixes and received compliments from many listeners, some of whom couldn't believe the sessions were recorded live in a single room. Since then, I've become the in-house mix engineer for all our sessions, and have been mixing professionally for artists, corporate clients and more independently from the studio as well.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Patient, with keen attention to detail.

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

A: From my country's scene, I would love to work with Warren Mendonsa of Blackstratblues. From the international scene, I'd love a chance to work with someone like Devin Townsend or Adam 'Getgood' Nolly.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't be afraid to make broad sweeping changes in a mix if your ear tells you that's what an element needs.

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

A: I feel comfortable mixing a wide variety of genres from singer-songwriter to pop, from rock to metal.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Having mixed dozens of one take live recordings as chief mix engineer at Compass Box Studios, I specialize in mixing live takes and consolidated recordings, with a knack for fixing the issues that come with live recording while preserving the organic vibe of it. I've been told I shine with my vocal mixes, which are clear and intimate while remaining warm and natural.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I believe I bring a clean, modern sound to a record without being harsh. I have a good understanding for what is required for a particular arrangement and genre. Being a vocalist myself, I have an especially good understanding of vocal performances and arrangements at an artistic level, which translates to the ability to mix them to suit the song best.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start off with detailed and meticulous clean up work (if that is to be done). I want all the rough edges ironed out before I dive into the sonic sculpting. I typically mix in a bottom up fashion, starting with drums and working my way onto vocals, arranging the artists in a virtual space in my head. I listen to as much music as I can across genres so I know what a 'good' sound means in every genre. I'm a big believer in perfectionism and so every single song goes through meticulous refinement in my hands till the client and I are both satisfied with how a song sounds.

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

A: Musicians: Alter Bridge, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Gregory Alan Isakov, Eric Whitacre, Regina Spektor etc Music production professionals: Serban Ghenea, Dave Pensado, Chris Lord-Alge, Rick Rubin, Sylvia Massy, Joe Barresi

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

A: Mixing and mastering, vocal session recording, violin session recording, vocal and string arrangements.