My love of music and recording took me to Tempe Arizona where I crafted my audio engineering skills at The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. I work and live in Chicago, IL and have been fortunate to have a great family of Chicago musicians come through my recording space.
I specialize in singer song writer / folk rock recording and mixing, but have done everything from hip hop, full rock bands, funk bands, classical instruments, choirs, jazz, voice over work, and sound design for film.
My recording space is tailored to smaller groups looking for multi-track recording work flows or solo singer song writer musicians. For bigger projects I often use larger studio facilities or other DIY spaces that get converted for a long weekend of recording. I am always open to new projects and like to be flexible with time, budget, and comfort levels. The process of helping someone take a song from concept to completion is my biggest drive. I love working with new clients and always have fun working on new projects.
Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.
Interview with Marlon Recording
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I helped with preproduction and performed on the latest MAKS THE FOX record that was pressed to vinyl.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently working with Nicholas Davio from The Old Town School of Folk and Smoke No7 a hard rock band from Chicago.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: A combination of both.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: If you don't like the way things are sounding we can make adjustments or change the approach at any time.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love working with musicians who are passionate about their art.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: What are your rates? I am flexible with rates and budgets.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I can't make your performance better. The feel of the recording is all up to you.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you looking to accomplish in the studio and what is your timeline?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Practice your material and make sure your instruments are ready for the studio and that you are ready. ( guitars with new strings and professional setup by guitar shop), Drums with new heads and in working condition, etc. Are you healthy and practicing playing for a extended period of time. Eating well and being hydrated make a big difference when you are working on your songs in the studio.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Assuming we have solar power? My acoustic guitar (Martin DRS1). My electric guitar ( Fender Jazzmaster). My Fender Blues Deville. Strymon Flint Reverb, Boss Tuner.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been doing recording / mixing work since 2007.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Relaxed laid back working, but productive.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I have had very fortunate to work with artists from The Old Town School of Folk. The people from that school live and breath music and it shows when they come to the studio.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: You have to set the right atmosphere for the music being recorded. If the artists doesn't feel comfortable the performance will suffer.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Singer song writer music, folk, rock, indie rock.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My personality and easy to work with.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a relaxed environment and the opportunity for experimentation.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to hear the artist perform their music before coming into the studio to get an idea of what they are trying to capture in the studio. From there I like to discuss work flow and the goals from the project. After that I determine a timeline and process for capturing the best recording possible.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Pro Tools 12 with mic preamps from Universal Audio, Warm Audio, Lindell, Grace. Summing and monitoring from Dangerous Music. Mastering by Dangerous Music.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Dan from Dandy Sounds. www.dandysounds.com
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Multitrack recording, mixing, and mastering.
- Mixing EngineerContact for pricing
- Mastering EngineerContact for pricing
- Recording StudioContact for pricing
- EditingContact for pricing
- Sound DesignContact for pricing
- Post EditingContact for pricing
- Live SoundContact for pricing
- Universal Audio
- Warm Audio
- Dangerous Music.
