Music Producer, Mix Engineer

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

A: Gods We Were by GotMason (https://soundcloud.com/gotmason/sets/gods-we-were). It shows a large progression in my production and songcrafting abilities. I produced, recorded, mixed and mastered the project.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Working on several projects from artists like Way No Way, GotMason, XFCTR, and others. Lots of stuff just on the cusp of release at the moment.

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

A: I have not found anyone I know on this site as of yet. But I am a new user.

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

A: I promise to be courteous, professional and dedicated timely with my work. I promise to be honest about improvements and open to suggestions. I promise to help create something we are both proud of

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Using my creativity and knowledge to bring a project to its fullest potential. Plus I'm super nerdy about stuff like how a compressor and EQ combo can dramatically shift a sound, so getting to play around with that stuff is awesome!

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

A: Collaborating is not the same thing as working for free.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you have any previous work or demo's I can listen to to give me a sense of what we are going to be working on?

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

A: Have a vision for your music. I want to make sure I'm doing all I can to help you get there.

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

A: I would take my MR5s I've grown up on these monitors and know them like the back of my hand. I would also bring a Neumann u47, a Distressor, an Apogee Duet, and a Moog Voyager

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

A: I started out playing viola and guitar. That gave me a music base of orchestral, jazz and rock music. That led me to enroll in Drexel University's Music Industry program. While I was there I discovered my love of beat-making and hiphop music. Through Drexel's Co-Op program I worked in studios in Philadelphia and Brooklyn as well as their on campus recording studios. I graduated in 2012 with a concentration in production and engineering. When I graduated I started working with Kyle "Slick" Johnson at his studio Fancy Time. I have continued to work there as an engineer and producer. I also have worked my way into Hip Hop and RnB scenes in the Philadelphia area as well, competing in (and winning) producer showcases along the east coast. To date I have been working professionally for 4 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as flexible, professional, and knowledgeable.

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

A: Tom Misch. I am a huge fan of his instrumental and songwriting work. He has an awesome blend of Pop, RnB, Hip Hop, and Funk.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Training your ear to recognize frequencies when EQing and subtle differences in compression will help a create solid and effective base in your mixing.

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

A: I work equally within Rock and Hip-hop music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Building off my last answer I would say that editing. And by that I mean getting really "tweaky" with the feel of a performance to lock it into the perfect feel and impact.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring an ear for melody and arrangement. I really enjoy bringing out the most in the parts of a song, as well as finding sounds that can bring it to the next level.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to go into projects with a good sense of what a client is looking for creatively. I am good at accommodating a wide range of styles and personalities. Communication is key. Once I understand what it is that we are working to accomplish I can set about utilizing my musical ear and production knowledge to help guide an artist to that goal, whether it be from the start of an idea or putting on the final touches.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My home setup consists of a pair of Mackie MR5 Monitors, Apogee Quartet, MXL Genesis Mic, Focal Spirit Studio Headphones, NI Maschine. I use this primarily for composition. I also work out of Fancy Time Studio for recording, mixing and mastering purposes.

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

A: In no particular order: Mark Ronson, Timbaland, !llmind, Jon Bellion, Rick Rubin, Dilemma and many others.

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

A: I provide a wide range of services for my clients. Most commonly I provide instrumentals, recording/editing services at several studios I work in around the Philadelphia area and mixing.