Head Audio Engineer

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

A: I did recording services for Starz. Got an engineer and song writing credit for work on “P Valley”. I enjoyed the vibe and energy of the writing camp. All of the artist and producers were great. The experience itself was informative but fun.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I have mixes I work on pretty consistent from studio clientele.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I love the creative freedom of digital but I love the sound quality and depth of analog.

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

A: To provide a quality experience that enhances your music.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The music. I become one with it and “zone out”.

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

A: Do I mix and master? - No, I only mix.

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

A: That we can change the audio given to us.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your expectations from this mix? What current song would you say has a sound close to what you’re getting mixed? Do you have any specific request for the mix? How soon do you need the mix? Do you need DJ pack?

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

A: Be sure you are completely comfortable with your product beforehand. Alot of “enhancements” should happen in the recording process. We an mixing engineers will enhance your music, but we can’t literally change what’s there. Its best and its very important to get a solid recording before mixing.

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

A: Mic, Headphones, Laptop, Interface, Hard drive.

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

A: I started by having my own home studio in my hometown of Troy, AL. After having great success in my small hometown, I came to Atlanta and started an internship for Icon. I worked as an intern engineer for 3.5 years before becoming Head Engineer - Manager.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Complementary.

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

A: Lil Wayne. He is the GOAT to me.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen before you do anything. Its so many clicks we can make since everything is digital that sometimes we trust what we can click over what we hear. Always LISTEN FIRST.

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

A: Trap / Rap

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing trap / rap music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Energy. Clarity. Boldness. I make the song overall bigger.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Once I receive a mix, I listen to the mix that the client currently has so that I can see their vision. Next, I clean and enhance the vocal first because that is typically the most important thing in the song. If I have production trackouts I then clean and enhance the beat. Blending the beat/beat elements is the next step. To complete the mix I LISTEN and “glue” it all together.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am the head engineer for Icon Studios ATL. We have 3 professional studios, and we use Protools to provide recording services to clients.

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

A: Leslie Braitwaite Jason Brown Alvin Speights I seek knowledge from all engineers thru various means, but these are 3 that I have learned alot from.

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

A: Studio Recording Mixing