Remote Mixing, Composing

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

A: I'm very proud of the EP I made for one of the animation studios I work for. Before getting in, I was very new to music but I made something for them and they loved it; they let me on and I continued with the demo I showed them until it was a full, 5 song EP. I learnt a lot doing that and was very happy having a 'tutor' to give me tips.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My own EP where I'm trying to use more real life instruments and practice my recording techniques and tones.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because that's what I've grown up with. You can, sort of accurately, get an analogue sound with digital so why not go with something that's already the future?

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to stay in the warm but still do what I love.

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

A: Be honest. I'm normally chill so don't be hesitant to ask what you want.

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

A: Guitar, lead, amp, tuner and an infinite power battery.

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

A: Learn, learn, learn. I'm trying to take all the education opportunities I can get and then try and get paid.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: What kind of style? If you mean myself and how I come across then I would say I'm cosy. I wear winter clothes in the summer -I'm normally cold.

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

A: I don't have a strong preference for one person; I just want to work with people around the same skill level as myself and work as a team.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Use an auxiliary channel with a stereo spread for the kick to make the kick sound a little wider. You keep the main thud in the centre but it's not confined there.

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

A: Rock and heavy metal are what I listen to most and, naturally, is what I focus on when composing and mixing.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my dedication to learning and doing better. I don't believe I'm Jesus reincarnated, I'm just someone who loves music and doesn't want to do anything else.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: While I don't play 100 notes a second, I do hold down the song and am normally crucial to the song being well received. Normally, the area I focus on is the practising; I can normally hear what needs to be done and can get everyone to a higher level of playing. When on stage, I'm just one of the members and like hearing everyone else get the limelight.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Most work happens in bursts of high energy. I normally work best when the work motivates me and makes me want to come back to it. Each job is different but the enthusiasm I have isn't.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is rather small sadly (problems of having a tiny room) but I do manage to fit everything I need in. All recording goes through my Scarlett Solo and into Logic Pro X where I spend most of my days. Other than that, I just try and not break my guitars and have fun.

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

A: Tosin Abasi, to me, is one of the best guitarists in the world. I've watched him play with some of the legends of guitar and yet he is able to hold his own and, more often than not, do better. Production-wise, I don't have a someone that inspires me; I just try and take as many tips as I can and be my own person.

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

A: Most commonly I compose for my clients. The majority is for two independent animation studios I work for and the pieces I write focus on sad and dark themes. Other times, I work as the producer, helping the work from day one all the way to completion; I focus heavily on the mixing and mastering but also help with the composition.