Producer / Mixer

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

A: I would say the most common question is "How soon can you get this completed?" I understand there are often deadlines involved so I will always give an honest answer as to how soon I can get something done. I don't want to mislead or set up unrealistic expectations.

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

A: I always feel like the latest project I am working on is the best thing I have ever done. So in that sense I am always improving on my skills. With that being said the project I am working on right now I am already very proud of. I am a producer and co-writer on the project and hope to be sharing it very soon!

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

A: Not yet but I am sure that will change in the near future!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. It is just so easy and convenient and the technology has come so far

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: So many projects currently in the works - modern disco pop, hip-hop, dark cinematic pop, Indie pop rock

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

A: Making music can be very personal to musicians and artists. They put so much of themselves in to their music that it can be hard to put it into someone else's hands and trust them with it. I promise to treat your music with the respect and care that it deserves. I will work until you are satisfied with the final product

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Nothing moves me like hearing a good song. I get the chills when a song hits me just right

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

A: That mixing is just simply moving some faders up and down until everything is at the right level. There is so much more to it than that!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your goals or plans for the song or project? Did you have any reference songs in mind when you wrote this song? What are some current songs or sounds that you really like and draw inspiration from? How quick of a turn around do you need?

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

A: Before you approach a producer or mixer to help bring your song to life make sure you have a song worth producing/mixing. If a song is recorded poorly there is only so much a mixer can do to make it sound good. As one of my instructors use to tell me "You can't polish a turd."

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

A: Assuming there was no access to electricity it would to be limited to all of my acoustic instruments: Martin acoustic guitar, Djembe drum, Alto Sax, Tambourine, a 2nd Taylor acoustic guitar

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

A: I went to school for audio production and engineering from 2004-2006. Upon graduation I worked as an engineer in a full scale production studio for a couple of years. After leaving that studio I got a "real job" but continued to play in bands and do freelance production work on the side. Within the last couple of years I built up my own studio - at first just to produce my own music - but then started to work with other artists as well. I've been producing music for myself and other artists aimed towards licensing for film, TV, and advertising. Most recently I decided to make the jump to doing it full time

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: That is a tough question because I work in so many different genres. But, I love to mix modern production and sounds with more classic organic sounds (guitar, strings, piano, etc)

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

A: Ruelle. I am really drawn to her musical style. It is unique, haunting, modern, and beautiful

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Remember to give your ears a break! Ear fatigue is real and if you don't give yourself regular breaks everything starts to sound the same and your mixes will suffer

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

A: Indie Pop, Hip-Hop, EDM, Dark Cinematic/trailer style pop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: As it relates to music production my strongest attribute would have to be my attention and commitment to detail. "Good enough" is not good enough. It has to be great!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: 20+ years of experience in music creation as well as a passion and enthusiasm for the work. I am very easy to work with and am a people pleaser at heart

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For mixing projects I like to listen through the song at least two times. Then I will listen to the reference song if the client has provided one. If not I will find a reference within the same genre or mood to use for guidance. Then I will get to work! Once I have a rough mix I will usually let it sit overnight or at least for a couple of hours and then come back to it with fresh ears to really finetune and dial it in. Once I have a good first mix I will send to the client and get their feedback and make adjustments from there. It is important that the client walks away happy and ecstatic with the outcome

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run Pro Tools on a PC with Windows. I know most people in music production use Apple computers but I have always felt more comfortable and efficient on a PC. I have a Universal Audio Apollo Twin interface, various MIDI keyboards/controllers, Akai MPC, Yamaha and M-Audio Studio monitors, Roland V Drums, various guitars (Fender, Martin, Yamaha), various microphones (dynamic and condenser), all of the plug ins you could possibly need (Output, Native Instruments, Antares Auto-Tune, Melodyne, UA1176 compressors, LA2 compressors, Lexicon digital reverbs, delays, EQs, saturation, etc

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

A: This list could be endless and I love and work in so many different genres. To name a few that have been inspiring to me recently- Bob Marley, Radiohead, The Lumineers, The Dirty Heads, Lupe Fiasco, Joyner Lucas, Kesha, Dua Lipa, Ruelle, Tom Morello, Run the Jewels

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

A: Mixing, music production, arrangement, and instrumentation