Mixing & mastering engineer

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

A: All of the records that came out on vinyl or cassette, i.e. in physical form. At the end of the day, I love putting a record on the turntable and listen to the music that way.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently mastering a bunch of LoFi Hip-hop projects for "mädmäx" and also for "Frogman".

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

A: Not yet.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Hybrid. If analog is available and affordable, let's do it. However, digital tools have advanced so much over the last decades, that you'll be able to achieve absolutely any sound aesthetic whatsoever, as long as you know what you're doing.

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

A: That by the end of the project, everyone is happy with the result.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The diversity in the people and their music. Being able to help people bring out the absolute best version of a piece of music. Doing an A/B the day after the session.

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

A: "I have made some changes, can I just send you the new version?" - Unfortunately, no. Once you have committed to mixing, the production should be done. Unless I'm explicitly asking for a revision on your end, let's work with what we have. "Can you do this until tomorrow?" - Maybe, but it's more likely that it'll take a bit longer. Please plan sufficient time for the mixing and mastering process. The bare minimum should be 2 days - gives me time to reset my ear and listen again a few hours after the actual session.

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

A: Doing what everyone else can do in 2024 with all the plugins, ai, automated services, or even the actual mixing & mastering process. It's not the tools or gear I'm using, but my unique knowledge, experience, and a fresh and trained set of ears that will makes my work unique, and your music even greater than it already is.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How happy are your with the way your song / project currently sounds? Are you facing any challenges to make the music sound the way you want to, do you need an instrumental, PA or Acapella version of your project (or any other specific versions), what is your best case scenario outcome / expectation? What is your deadline?

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

A: Make yourself familiar with the best practices to submit files for mixing / mastering. It will speed up the process MASSIVELY. There are great resources on that topic. Google for "Technical Document AESTD1002.2.15-02"

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

A: Laptop, interface, monitor speakers, a mic and a set of headphones.

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

A: I've been mixing and mastering professionally since 2019. After I graduated Uni in the field of popular music and media, which provides both academic theory and real life production knowledge, my main professional gig had been in community support strategy at SoundCloud, Ltd.. I used my time wisely after hours and stayed at the SoundCloud recording studio as often as possible to sharpen my recording and engineering skills, before going self employed to do what I love most.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Professional with a lot of empathy for the art. Simple as that.

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

A: Solange. I admire her music, the versatility, quality of production, and the edge it has.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less (processing) is more. Fewer tools and more discreet processing will most likely result in a better sounding mix and / or master, and the sound will stay true and organic.

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

A: I work on a lot of hip-hop productions, both with and without vocals, i.e. Rap, Trap, Boombap, LoFi Beats, but also on Jazz & RnB.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Communication. It's key & will make the process so much easier and more fun. I perceive this as something that often leaves a lot of room for improvement. Share your process, explain your decision making, document and provide essential information so everyone is up to speed.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A reliable team member for your project, with a highly experienced ear. Aside from being an engineer, I do also produce, and I am a record collector and curator, i.e. I listen to a lot of music, regardless of its genre.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Ideally, the artist provide background info, what they like about a piece of music, where there might be challenges. So, first things first - I listen to what the artists have to say. Then, I get familiar with the music and takes note of anything that pops up. After that, I'll get to work, from detailed to broad.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The setup is fairly straight forward - a set of ATC 45A Monitors & a UAD Apollo x6 in a treated room, currently mixing ITB on Pro Tools. Tools of the trade vary, however there are a few "go-to's", such as Schwabe Digital's Gold Clip (added in Jan 2024), a variety of Acustica Audio's hardware emulations, UAD's fantastic emulation of the Ampex 102 Tape, as well as Tone Project's range of plugins.

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

A: Musicians: Kendrick Lamar, Kaytranada, Channel Tres, Madlib, The Alchemist, August Charles. Music professionals: Dave Pensado, Bob Power, Ryan Schwabe, Joe LaPorta, Todd Cooper, Derek Ali (Mixed by Ali), Craig Brauer

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

A: I'm specialized in mixing & mastering. Taking a strong composition and lifting it up to the next level is what excites me the most.