Mixing Engineer & Producer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! There's nothing like the sound of a nice analog console, tube compressor, or preamp. While I'm currently exclusively mixing in the box, I use many analog emulation plug-ins that truly sound like the real deal.

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

A: I would say the biggest misconception about a mixing engineer is that they simply adjust levels and turn up or down faders. In actuality, we're dealing with many things including dynamics and spatial processing, automation, EQ sculpting to get all elements within a mix to sit within their own space, and many, many more!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I typically ask prospective clients to send me reference tracks and let me know what exactly they like about those tracks. This always helps inform my mixing decisions. I also ask if they have any preliminary notes or ideas for me prior to beginning my mix. I view mixing as a collaborative process where my job is to get that artists' track to sound the way THEY want it to sound.

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

A: Most recently, my girlfriend and I released our single, "Denver." This is the first song we co-wrote on our own without collaborating with other songwriters. In addition, this is our first release that was fully self-produced. I recorded, tracked, produced, and mixed the song.

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

A: My promise is that I will deliver a high-quality product that I will give my all to. Yikes, that sounds corny, doesn't it?! But I truly wouldn't want anything to be released with my name on it if it wasn't my best work. So that's my promise.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Making, producing, and mixing music is what I've always wanted to do with my life and I'm so grateful that I get to do it. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else!

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

A: Check out my mixing samples to see if you like my style, visit my website to learn more about me, and reach out to me with any questions you have prior to hiring me!

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

A: I've been making music ever since I was a kid. In middle school I became interested in recording and mixing and would spend my weekends working on cover songs in my parent's basement. I went to college at NYU and studied jazz performance and music education. I have since been pursuing a career as a freelance jazz saxophonist and teaching music part-time as both an elementary school teacher and private lesson instructor. I am also one-half of folk duo, Bobbylene, a project I started with my girlfriend. I currently act as our producer and mixing engineer. As a mixing engineer and producer, I have been working with clients for over ten years now!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I always request a rough mix from a client who asks me to mix their song. This way I can hear the mix they have been living with and how I can enhance it. I'll typically ask a client to send me reference tracks in addition to sending over some questions about their song. All of this helps me to get an understanding of their taste/vision and what they want their music to sound like! After that, I'll get right to work and will keep my client updated every step of the way!

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

A: My saxophone, guitar, computer/Logic Pro X, Shure SM7B mic, and its cables?

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Sure thing. Make sure every section of your song has something different in it - never COPY AND PASTE! Listeners can subconsciously tell if your second verse sounds different than the first and it will keep them engaged and immersed in your song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As a multi-instrumentalist and someone who enjoys listening to a wide variety of music, I think I can enhance a mix using my knowledge of various musical instruments and styles. I also have a strong background in music theory and composition. I feel these skills help inform my mixing decisions and allow me to achieve a musical and cohesive mix.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio space consists of a Pearl drum kit, Yamaha grand piano, Focusrite Clarett audio interface, and an assortment of high quality microphones including a Shure SM7B, Miktek microphones, and more! While my studio is within an apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, I have fully sound treated it to achieve a deadened room sound with minimal outside noise. I am super happy with the results I have achieved both mixing and recording in this space!

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

A: I have been inspired by SO many musicians and engineers. I've currently been listening to Taylor Swift's new records on repeat and am also a big Lauv fan (he definitely writes some of the catchiest music out there). Jacob Collier is another big influence of mine, somebody who fully self-produces all of his amazing work within the comfort of his own home studio!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: In addition to mixing for various clients, my girlfriend and I are currently working on writing and recording a new EP. You can check out our songs on Spotify or any other streaming service (Bobbylene).

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

A: John Mayer - he's the man and my favorite songwriter. Also, his mixes are my favorite of them all in terms of their warmth, clarity, and fullness.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is bringing new production ideas to a project. Whether that be adding an electric guitar line in the pre-chorus, finding a harmony line for the chorus, etc. I'm a music theory nerd and an avid songwriter/producer, so I always enjoy discovering new possibilities for a song to help bring it to life!

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

A: Singer-songwriter, folk, country, acoustic pop, and jazz.

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

A: I specialize in recording and mixing music with real instruments, spanning from folk, to pop/rock, to jazz. I also offer remote tracking services on guitars and saxophone.