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

A: I recently mixed 7 songs on a record by The New Mastersounds called The Deplar Effect. It's doing very well amongst fans and we are even in contention for a grammy nomination!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am in the editting phase of a 3 song release by a band called Object Heavy.

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

A: I'd say I promise to be as invested in my client's music as they are. The success of my client's records is really the only metric I use for my own success.

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

A: Well of course they ask about price. For mixing it's $200 per song. For tracking Its $200 a day for my time and a day can be from 8 -12 hours. My studio is going for $200 a day as well.

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

A: Well, for mixing Im all in the box so i guess id have my desktop, my monitor, my headphones, my converters, and a coffee machine! But, if we are talking about recording, you gotta have great instruments. So, a great sounding drum kit, a great sounding guitar, a great sounding amp, a great sounding bass, and the minimum preamps to record it all. I always believe in capturing great performances and that the gear is a secondary component to a proper record.

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

A: I began my career as an intern at The Blasting Room in 2018. I did my part to keep the studio in good shape for two years and learned boat loads from the staff there. In late 2021 I joined up with Color Red Music where I currently serve as production/studio manager. I produce most of the records that go through our Color Red Productions program.

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

A: Oh man I would love to work with Dan Auerbach! He has always influenced me musically. But, I really just want to work with artists who are passionate about their music and have a real drive to see it made.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If you are working on other people's music you have to respect them and have fun with them. Once during my internship, Bill Stevenson told me (while producing Rise Against) that the true way to make proper records was camaraderie between producer and band.

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

A: Whatever walks through the door! I've been doing mostly funk and soul music but spend a lot of time on jazz, country, punk, blues, rock. I really run the gambit!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work on an IMac with protools. I monitor with my Audio Technica ATH-R70x headphones and my Genelec 8030C monitors. Thats just for my mixing work. I record at Color Red Studio to a Tascam 388 8 track tape machine. We have a host of vintage instruments including a Hammond B3 organ!

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

A: Producing, Recording, and Mixing.

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

A: Im not sure. Id have to look. If we are recommending audio pros I would have to say look up The Blasting Room Studios in Fort Collins Colorado.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Either and both! I don't see any sense in limiting the tools in your toolbox unless its for creative reasons. there are great digital tools out there and there are great analog tools out there. use the tools that help you make the best record!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love hearing new music!

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

A: That its some kind of dark art that can make anybody sound like a pop star! The tools and knowledge are readily available to anyone interested in learning the craft. And, mixers and engineers can't make a song sound better than it is. There's a saying about polish and turds that sums this philosophy up nicely!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always ask about inspirations for their music. I ask for reference music. I ask how they record their own demos to see if they will be shocked if my methods are different form theirs.

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

A: Schedule a phone call. I can't stress enough the importance of having a legitimate connection with any professional working on your art. Talk to them and get a feel for their tastes and see if they are complimentary to yours.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Like working with your buddy in your basement studio. Except your buddy is a professional engineer so the music sounds great! I want it to be fun and engaging while staying productive.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: M strongest skill or maybe most valuable to a potential client would be my ability to connect to music emotionally. My goal as much as making a great sounding record is making a great relationship with artist so that I can faithfully convey their message through their music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my passion for sound. It's always good to have an outsiders perspective on a song but I believe more than that I offer a mix done by someone who is genuinely as invested in the music as the artists themselves.

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

A: The staff at The Blasting Room who taught me how to make a proper record. Tchad Blake is my favorite mixer so I always aspire to his level of radness in a mix!