World Frequencies Mastering

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My setup is a hybrid combination of both digital and analogue tools, but I mostly work using a computer. My main tools are my focal monitors, Crane Song Converters, plugins and my ears:) In terms of plug-ins, I use MeldaProduction, FabFilter, Waves and sometimes I use my analogue TEAC reel to reel the master tape for the stereo mastering process. The mastering software I use is Steinberg (Wavelab – Cubase).

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

A: My mac, my Crane Song converter, my Focal monitors, my midi keyboard and my turntables

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

A: Ni Moya's debut album was released in both a digital and vinyl format. Ni Moya is the personal musical work of John Vagenas who is the lead member of the band Naxatras. John was one of my first clients, and he always supports my work and trusts me to master their music, which is something I am proud of.

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

A: Right now, I don't have a particular person in mind. I hope to meet with some professionals from SoundBetter and to collaborate with them in the future.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: My studio is my favourite place to be, and every day, I genuinely enjoy working on all of the projects given to me by different artists from around the world. I also really like helping my clients with their projects and their sound as well as collaborating and meeting new people.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: First, I want to hear their music. This is the best way of understanding who my client is and what they’re looking for. Then I often ask them a few key questions regarding their music references or about the sound that they want to achieve.

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

A: I started learning music at the age of 10 through piano lessons, and later, as an amateur hip-hop music producer when I was 13 years old. I studied audio engineering at SAE Athens while working on expanding my knowledge in sound, music and mastering. During the years after graduating, I focused on music mastering and I still continue to concentrate all my energy towards this as well as towards building a career in it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Good dynamics that fit with the "movement" of your song, clarity, a nice stereo image, and the "right" transients with a well-balanced low end!

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

A: My promise is to always be here, to stay true to my values, to always help my clients and to continually perform to the highest standards I can! I will keep my knowledge and my studio up to date in preparation for the next amazing project, and to ensure all of the artists who work with me are 100% satisfied

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Strange enough… I'm just kidding! I’m calm, patient, progressive and have a lot of love for my job.

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

A: I work on a wide variety of music genres, but I mostly work on electronic and bass as well as techno, house, minimal house, synth pop bands, ambient and EDM.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Making my client’s life easy! In other words, my experience, perspective on sound, patience, professionalism and my constant need to complete all projects to the highest standards has helped me to produce the best quality in sounds and mixes.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The first step in my process is to hear and understand the music mix as well as the artist’s and mixing engineer’s vision. I will then start working after we decide on whether to use stereo or stem mastering.

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

A: I am inspired by Invisible Records, Ancestral Voices, Hecq, Dadub, Stroboscopic Records, Solar Fields and Amon Tobin. When I was a child, Jean Michel Jarre, The Prodigy and many hip-hop artists were my first inspiration.

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

A: I don't know, there are a few I have in mind, so it is difficult to just pick one.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently, I’m working on the mix and mastering for an album named Fear from a music project named Elephant Breath. Its musical style oscillates between dark jazz and trip-hop with world music elements and inspiration. Aside from the local artists that I work with regularly, I am a permanent partner with a Norway-based record label called Unauthorized and complete all the mastering for their releases.

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

A: About their sound/mix and if it sounds good to me. Also, there is a misconception about what stem mastering is and the limits of this service. I always get questions about it and I often have to explain its limitations to them.

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

A: I don't know, maybe that I can do magic with mastering? There are times when clients expect certain things that can’t be delivered, but I’m always there to support and guide my clients through the process

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

A: Always look at the person behind the production, don’t just focus on the setup and the attitude. You need to have the right person that fits both your music style and your perspective on sound. The nicest feeling is working with an engineer that makes your life easier.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: When used together, both make a good combination, but I believe it is not only the equipment that makes a big difference; it is the trained ears, the person and their experience. Today, the most important elements to create the best possible sound is the room treatment, the monitors and, crucially, the D/A conversion!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Keep things simple and clear; do not add extra sounds without a reason. You want your listeners to understand your story through your music, so stop overthinking it and just create music that speaks your truth. The most difficult part is keeping things simple.

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

A: I provide both stem mastering and stereo mastering services to my clients. Stem mastering helps to easily achieve the best possible sound as well as fix certain mixing issues. It is a more thorough process than the stereo mastering, and this process results in the best dynamic sound. Also, as part of my mastering services, I provide free tips and ideas via email or skype to assist with improving the sound of their mix.