Mixing, Music Producer, Guitar

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Simple home studio, one room, tons of sound absorption arranged based on frequency measurements, Neumann KH120 monitors, RME Babyface interface, Macbook Pro, Logic Pro, hundreds of plugins and virtual instruments, top of the line guitars and amps and effects.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: For mixing: how many tracks in the session, how long is the song, which mainstream artists most resemble the sound you're going for, can you provide any other references, do you have any specific artistic requests?

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

A: Rock, indie, pop, dance music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Attention to detail. I leave no stone unturned. I will work with you until we have explored every possibility that can contribute to you being 100% satisfied with your music. This is applied to everything I do for mixing, production, performing, etc.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Thousands of hours of experience mixing, producing and performing. In addition from working on the technical aspects of mixing and producing, performing live for over 20 years has really given me a feel for what gets people excited and what doesn't. If something about the song is not exciting or doesn't feel good, changes need to be made.

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

A: I will work on your music until you are 100% happy with the end result (or until you hate the song haha).

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: When it comes to mixing: clean, precise, dynamic, detailed, open. When it comes to guitar playing: fast, funky, rock, aggressive, equal parts lead and rhythm.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: More Cory Hotline music! And a few other mixes for clients.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: As far as mixing, all digital. Digital plugins these days are just as good as any piece of analog gear. Gear doesn't matter anyways. Analog and digital might sound a bit different from each other, but neither is "better". All that matters is how you use the gear or plugins. Don't trust anyone that says one is better than the other, or gear is going to make your music sound better! The only thing that can really be better is the speakers and listening room. And even then what's most important is that you get to know the speakers and room and how it translates.

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

A: Make sure you listen to someone's work before hiring them! Do you like the way their recordings sound? Do they make music you like?

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always listen to the final mix on different sound systems, different locations, make sure you can hear everything at really quiet volumes, and make sure the speakers aren't blowing up at high volumes (especially with the kick).

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the project. Usually finalize the songwriting and arrangement before recording anything. Then make a rough demo for tracking. Usually start with drums, then bass, then guitars and keys and any other instruments, then vocals last. Mixing I usually start with drums then bass then other instruments and vocals last. Usually start mixing at the busiest/loudest part of the song. Always listen in multiple locations on multiple speakers before finalizing a mix. There are always adjustments to be made.

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

A: Music production and mixing. I record and produce full songs from scratch, both recording live instruments/vocals, and using virtual instruments. I also mix the songs I produce, and I mix a variety of other songs as well.