Mix Engineer

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

A: I listen to and have worked on all types of music, but I primarily mix Indie Rock, Americana, Rock, Country, Folk, and Alternative.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would say I take an organic approach to mixing records. I want it to sound larger than life and have a big impact, but I still want it to remain sounding honest and authentic. In the end I don't want the listener to hear the mix, I want them to hear the song and have an emotional reaction to it.

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

A: Oh, there are too many to pick just one! At the end of the day, I love working on great songs with great performances. It doesn't matter if its a famous artist or someone local just starting out, a great song is always a joy to work on.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The most important thing for me to remember when I'm working on something is to always try to serve the song. Sometimes it's super fun to slap on 20 plugins and go crazy with effects, but you need to ask yourself, "Does this serve the song, or is it just serving me in this moment?"

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I really try to find the heart of the song. The place where the most impact and emotion is coming from, and build the track from there. I work to preserve the dynamics and nuances while still having plenty of power and energy. I try to let the song and material dictate where it wants to go and never paint every song with the same brush. I want what is unique and special about each song shine through.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Why not both! They are both just tools at your disposal, each has their strengths and weaknesses. I use both freely and wouldn't want to be limited to either one. My motto is, "If it sounds good, it is good.".

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

A: To always treat their music with the same care and attention that they do. I treat it as if it was my own and never cut corners or rush through the process. I approach each mix to make it the best I've ever done, regardless if it's for a major national act, or an artist just starting out with their first recording.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love music, and I love being able to use my experience and skill to help musicians see the vision of their art through to completion. Mixing is the stage where you really get to hear what all of your hard work and dedication to a project has lead to, and I take great pride in being a part of that process.

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

A: That I can make any song sound like any other song. Each song, recording, and production is unique, and created under unique circumstances. The mix should reflect that and serve that individual song. I think references are really important, and a great starting place to get everyone on the same page. But, I think if you try too hard to make your mix sound like something else, you can loose what makes it unique and special in itself.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Some general questions would be, "What is your vision for this song?", "Tell me a little about the process of making it?", "What other things in your genre do you really like the sound of?", "What is currently working or not working for you in the song at this point?", "What are some of your influences?". Usually a few questions in that direction will open up the conversation so I can get get a solid picture of what the artist is looking for and how I can help them get there.

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

A: I think there are two really important things to do when hiring a mixer. First and foremost, is listen to their work. Find or ask for examples of things that are similar to your style. Listen to as much as you can to get a feel for their approach. And second, have a conversation with them. You should be able to tell in a 10 minute conversation if they are the right person for the job. They should understand your vision and be easy to communicate with.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think any mixers strongest skill should be strong communication with the artists. It takes a tremendous amount of trust for an artist to hand over their art to someone, and without proper communication, that trust can't be there.

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

A: So many! I am really inspired by anything that evokes a feeling or energy. I'm a big fan of producers like T-Bone Burnett and mixers like Tchad Blake for their innovative approach to making records. I also really like the work of the new breed of producers like Dave Cobb and Blake Mills.

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

A: I have been a professional mix engineer for over 15 years.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First thing is too start with a conversation with the artist about what they are looking for. We might talk about a specific direction or influences or references from other songs. We may get specific about effects, etc. and if there is a rough mix, I'll listen to that to get a perspective of where it should go. Once I get a feel for what they are looking for I'll dive into the mix. Typically I mix a song in a day. Once I feel I've got in to a place I'm happy with, I'll send it to the artist to get their feedback. If I'm on the right track, I'll do revisions based on the artists notes and deliver final mix versions once the artist is completely happy.