Mixer / Producer

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

A: Wicked Game with Chris Isaak. I recorded , mixed and put together all of the parts

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Moby, Saint Motel and Lindsey Stirling

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

A: I am new here so I should look around and see who I know.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I spent at least 30 years on analogue so I feel I know how to bring some of the good things about it to the digital world. Honestly I am happy to make music on anything!

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

A: to do my best on every song

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to make music all day and for A LOT of years now

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

A: Question, Can you make the Chorus hit harder. Answer,Yes

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

A: I can only mix the files I am sent unless I have the freedom to add parts. Sometimes I get asked to make A sound like B and it is hard to do with the tracks I have available

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is their vision of what they want to sound like.

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

A: Try one song and see if it is a good fit

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

A: A boat , sail, solar water maker, GPS and fishing pole so I could get home

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

A: I started a music school and studio with some friends in SF in the early 70s. I have owned my own studio ever since. I wish I had time to play guitar and percussion a little more but I LOVE what I do.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I try to go into mixing a song with a vision and then follow where that leads me. I make decisions fairly quickly and see where that takes me.

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

A: Jimi Hendricks but I missed that opportunity.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try to find the thing that centers the song, be it the lyrics, melody , or beat and and make sure all of you overdubs support that.

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

A: I have done everything from jazz to punk, R&B, EDM ,rock.pop, country and classical I love any great music

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say bringing out the emotion and energy of a recording

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Hopefully a lot of years of experience with many styles of music. What I love about music now is the convergence of some many styles and sounds across genres.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start EARLY in the morning and typically work on several songs a day rather than get stuck in a rut. I like to have the Artist listen at home first on speakers they know and then either come in for tweaks if needed or I can stream the console to them and do changes online

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I mix on a custom dual Raven console, (the only one) with a three card HDX protools rig and four UAD Octo cards. My room was custom designed by me and has a lot of light and 11 foot cherry wood ceilings.I was going for great sounding but vibey room

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

A: Sly and the Family Stone, The Who, Prince, AC/DC, The Kinks, Coltrane, Fat Boy Slim, Muddy Waters

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

A: Most of my time is spent mixing and in production assistance.