Remote Mixing & Mastering

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

A: I've been an audio professional for more than 30 years. I started out while still in high school working on local TV productions, I went to college and ended up working on small projects for friends and other students. After working in large and small studios I was hired to compose for video games which led to TV composition work. I never stopped mixing for clients and still do.

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

A: I worked on a project with a Sony Orchard artist (Delon Tyeskie) He was referred to me by another client as he was unhappy with a mix from the engineer Sony referred to him. After a long conversation, he sent me the mix and 2 days later - in his words he became a "client for life".

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm mixing several songs for clients while composing short library pieces for TV.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either - but mostly digital. Recall, recall, recall. After working in the analog domain for much of my career, I made the move to fully digital production. I can achieve the sound my clients desire faster and make changes while still working on other projects.

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

A: Once I begin working, I will give your project my undivided attention. I will always be honest with you about what is and isn't possible. I'll tell you about any additional costs before I make any moves. And I will do my best to make you happy. Your happiness is my happiness.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love becoming part of a story with my clients. I'm often not the songwriter - but I help put the final 'icing' on the cake. The surprise in their eyes or voice when they hear it is a wonderful moment.

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

A: Can/should my master be as loud as possible? I can make it as 'loud' as you like - but I suggest instead mixing/mastering for emotional impact than competitive loudness

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

A: That the software/hardware does the work.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What emotions do you want to evoke from your listeners? Who is the audience? What are your sources of inspiration? Are there any commercially successful artists you would consider to be in your field of view?

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

A: Be fearless - tell us what you need and what you want your listeners to feel.

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

A: A Macbook Pro, a decent converter, a good set of headphones, a solar power generator, and a fishing rod.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm relaxed and attentive. I like helping and just want to make people smile.

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

A: Too many to name - but a stand out would be Daft Punk. Their productions can be huge or intimate on the same album. I would enjoy the challenge.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The performance is more valuable than the gear.

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

A: Honestly, over the last few years I have worked on many styles of music, from violins on Jazz and classical music, to hard rock, R&B, and funk.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'm a good listener and I'm good at finding the 'story' within the song and helping my client to tell that story.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring decades of professional audio experience. I have worked for more than 30 years as an audio professional composing, producing, mixing, and mastering for hundreds of projects.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually receive the project as individual audio files delivered online or via USB drives. I contact the client and ask about their vision for the project and reference songs to get a general idea of the feel they want. I ask what they hope to achieve and what they want the listener to feel. I build a rough mix and communicate regularly with the client to make sure their needs are met and that the direction of the project is appropriate.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have recently moved completely to an 'in the box' workflow after selling most but not all of my outboard gear. This change allows me to work quickly and offer recalls as necessary. Record label clients (Sony Orchard) TV clients (Discovery communications) and independent clients have been very happy with my work.

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

A: Andrew Scheps (engineer), Bob Powers (engineer), Thundercat (musician), and Stevie Wonder (I'm sure you know who he is).

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

A: Mixing and mastering, production, session keyboards, arranging.