Mixing/Mastering/FOH/Monitors

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

A: Thelindha Nilavu:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqXrjfVqziQ This was a project where i'd only received a perfect one take vocal (it was a classic hindu devotional hymn) and my job was to programm for the song. I was extremely happy because of the way i'd programmed for it giving it a modern twist. Infact, the mix I'd finalized sounded so alike the master, which was done by a top mastering engineer in Kerala helping me realize at what level I was working at.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I've got a few personal projects that I work on time to time with my friends, family or church , However I am open to work at any given time.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Hybrid. Many plugin developers have been emulating more and more analog gear and sooner or later we may supersede the whole Analog fascination the audio industry has. However the imperfections of the analog gear is what makes it's special as I personally believe that character can not be digitally emulated. Therefore I'd love to mix hybrid. The ease and simplicity of the digital world combined with the warmth and flutter of the analog gear. If I could only choose one i'd go with digital because of its accessibility.

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

A: I promise my full effort into doing whatever i'm tasked to do. Audio is something I love and respect, and my clients can expect my best whenever they trust me with their needs.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The whole concept of creating and playing with audio fascinates me more and more each day. Being able to connect in the universal language of music with various people of different ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures. And most importantly being able to translate that to the average daily listener.

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

A: Customers are intrigued by my age. Being in my early 20's i've had enough and more experience an audio engineer would receive in the half of his career. Passion exceeds experience:- this is my answer to them as it reflects in my work and most importantly in me.

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

A: "Mixing in the box isn't as excellent as working with Analog gear". I believe that the hybrid way of mixing is the best, however 90 percent of the work gets done by just using faders and pan (and of course some essential editing). Most of today's listeners tend to listen from their phone speakers and the speciality of analog gear can barely be understood by them 😂.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your needs? What are your expectations? Any reference that I can use to target? What is the timeline for the gig?

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

A: Let me know all your requirements. Communication is essential as it only makes the process simpler and easier.

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

A: A guitar, a book, a pen, a melodica and my laptop.

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

A: I'm a high school graduate and i'm pursuing a degree in audio, just to gain a certification. I started musically more than a decade ago and i've been producing and mixing for the past 6 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I tend towards new-age pop music but can even bring in flavors from country, gospel, choral etc. due to my extensive musically related upbringing.

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

A: If i had a chance i'd work with anyone and everyone with experience in the field. I love watching people work as it inspires me to be like them, if not better!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Simple is effective...But being able to translate complex musical ideas and sounds for the layman is a unique talent.

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

A: Everything. I love exploring all genres and i have. Everything except Metal and it's subgenres... something i'm hoping to delve into soon.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: The fact that my musical knowledge is very strong brings a lot to the table, audio wise. I love reading and learning about audio gears, instruments etc. I'm also gifted from God with perfect pitch. This allows for me to translate my music sonically and musically well.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever my client wants me to. Being someone that's been classically trained in music, exposed to various genres from rock to world music i've seen and heard it all.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Receive the client work as well as all the requirements. And then prioritize all that is required to be done by the easiest to the hardest in order to deliver the best of my abilities in the fastest period of time.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in the box. A macbook pro with high specs and extensive studio grade plugins and software, a 2 channel audio interface, a variety of instruments such as a piano, keyboard, midi controller, guitars etc. I use a pair of flat sounding headphones as i'm most comfortable and used to doing my audio related work in them. Do I need more :)

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

A: I'm inspired by everyone and everything... I personally do not favor one single genre but I appreciate it all.

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

A: I create, edit, mix and master any audio.