#1 Analog Mastering Experience

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Mastering allows me to focus intently on providing musicians with a desperately needed positive experience during this process. By the time I get a project there can be a lot of emotions floating around and my intent is for people to come in, enjoy the vibe of the place, and be able to listen to their music on an incredible system while I do the mastering work.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm auditioning new tubes for my tube line amp and am loving what I'm hearing. Something so unique, I'm excited to start using it on my projects. Also being a better dad.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. It doesn't have to be either or.

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

A: My best work at all times regardless of the project.

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

A: Mastering is misunderstood. Many people believe it's just specialized bus processing but it's much more. The human element of crafting a sequence, establishing a connective flow to the tone of a record or within a single, that's not something that occurs with robotic mastering or spending a couple minutes with a preset. It takes decades of experience and is the difference between hiring an inexperienced engineer vs. an experienced one.

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

A: Find the records that you love the sound of and call the mastering engineer listed in the credits. People can create whatever persona they want online but the results of their work are what matters. Hire someone who specializes in mastering and you'll be better off than using someone out of convenience.

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

A: A water filter, a knife, flint stone, rope, and a blanket. Mastering would be the last thing on my mind.

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

A: I trained as a cellist and went to a small conservatory in Cleveland to study audio engineering. Worked at an audiophile label (Telarc) doing editing / mastering to pay for college. Got a gig at Tanglewood Music Festival which lead to securing a job as an assistant to a well known mastering engineer in NYC. Mentoring with him lit the fire and my passion for mastering and after 5 years of studying the craft from him I started my own business.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I don't.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Learn to trust your ears and your gut. Forums, meters, the desperate attempt by companies to get you to buy shit. Filter that out and do the hard work with what you have first. Avoid information paralysis at all cost and keep it simple. Your mixes will thank you!

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

A: All genres. No bounds.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Persistence. I don't give up.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: There's something inherent in every recording that wants to speak or come alive. Every song has it. The difficulty comes with how to express it and let it shine through. It's a 6th sense that I've cultivated for over 22 years.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Communication is key for my clients. They receive constant updates so they know where we are in the process. After an initial conversation about the project and associated costs, I'll start with a preliminary listen to their project. This helps me identify any potential hurdles or stumbling blocks prior to beginning the work. If requested, it also allows the opportunity for me to give feedback on the mix, the results of which can lead to a better mastered end product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My room was designed by Walters-Storyk Design Group who did two of my rooms back in NYC. It's closely resembles my room at The Hit Factory and at Masterdisk as well. My tools are primarily high end analog and I'm monitoring through a pair of Duntech Sovereign 2001s with Cello amplification.

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

A: I'm humbled by the incredible work I hear coming out of some of my home studio clients these days. The mixing engineer - mastering engineer relationship is vital to this...a bit of a symbiosis of creativity can happen with a mature relationship developed. So yes, I've been impressed there.

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

A: Most of my repeat clients come to me for stereo mastering services. We work with all genres but have definitely found a niche within the rock / singer-songwriter / jazz / classical fields. Vocals, guitars, drums, bass....and just acoustic instrument in general...