Stephan is a recording and mixing engineer who works with a lot of the midwest Hip Hop and R&B music scene. He is located in Fargo, ND and works out of QS Studios. Stephan has since earned a reputation for clean polished mixes that retain the musicality of the artiste going beyond client expectations.
Mixing services:
Vocals and 2-track mix : $100 per song (contact me for mixtape/album pricing)
Vocals and tracked out music: $150 per song (contact me for mixtape/album pricing)
All Mix & Masters Include:
1. Two Revisions within 1 week of completion.
2. Gain Staging & Automation
3. Pitch Correction & Vocal Alignment
4. EQ (corrective & character)
5. Dynamics (corrective & character)
6. Harmonics (saturation & distortion)
7. FX (delay, reverb, & modulation)
8. Arrangement & Production
9. Mastering
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Interview with Stephan
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: One big misconception is that the mixer will turn a poorly recorded song into a radio smash hit regardless of how bad the quality is. Simple answer to this is you cant polish a turd. That being said, I believe every piece of music has some unique sonic elements. I will, however, make the most out of whatever quality of recording I am presented with. I have been fortunate to come across an array of different quality audio recordings and have been able to make good music nonetheless.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What do you want your music to say about you?
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Music is invisible. When we listen to music we don't see the gear used in created this music. I don't believe there should be any competition between the analog and digital domain because they simply different routes to the same destination which is a great sounding mix.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Punk Rock Mixtape for local band "Hang Up".
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Quality and Excellence. It's your song but my mix and I'll dedicate 100% of my knowledge and will to getting the song to that sound as good as possible.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The ability to combine pieces of audio to become a cohesive unit that people can find musical is incredibly satisfying.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: HipHop, EDM, R&B, Rock, Pop.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My main aim is not to bring anything to the song but to highlight what's best parts of any performances.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I usually start off by listening to the rough mix to get an idea of what song the final mix to sound like. I try to communicate what the vision I have for the song to the client before I even start mixing, that way I ensure the client and I are on the same page and limits unnecessary revision. I then move on the actual mix spending as long as I deem necessary to get it to sound polished before printing and sending out to the client for review.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Main Vocal Mic: TLM 103 Alt Vocal Mic: Rode NT1 Main Monitors: Yamaha HS 8 Alt Monitors: Yamaha HS 5 Main Audio Interface: Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 Alt Audio Interface: NI Komplete Audio 6 Outboard compressor: ART PRO VLA II DAW: Pro Tools 12 Plugins: Waves Bundles, Slate Digital Bundles, IK Multimedia, iZotope.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I'm heavily inspired by mix engineers like Manny Marroquin and Mixed by Ali. Favorite musicians and bands include System of a Down, Kanye West, Woodkid, Travis Scott and Rihanna
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Travis Scott because his vocals have certain dynamic and tones that I would like to play around with.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Control your gear, don't let it control you.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Communication is key. In audio engineering it may be difficult to articulately communicate a concept. The easy way around this is to communicate as much as possible to make sure neither party goes off track.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My Laptop, NI Komplete Audio 6, Yamaha HS 5, TubeTech CL1B Comp, Focusrite Red Compressor
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Started as a producer about 7 years ago and my passion gradually grew into mixing. I have been mixing for over 5 years now
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Multitrack mixdown
I was the Mixing Engineer in this production
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $150 per song
- EditingAverage price - $50 per track
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $70 per song
- Recording StudioAverage price - $400 per day
72 hour turn around
$25 addition for: radio edit and show tracks.
- Pro Tools 12 HD
- Slate Digital Bundle
- Waves Bundles
- Neuman TLM 103
- ART PRO VLA II
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Yamaha HS 5
- Yamaha HS 8
- NI Komplete Audio 6.
