"Recording & Mixing Engineer"

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When it comes to mixing, I first carefully check each recorded section. This is to get a clear understanding of how the music is intended to be constructed. From there, I process the music in a way that enhances the quality of the song as an extension of the author's intention.

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

A: One project I am very proud of is the production of an album by a Japanese singer-songwriter named mayumi yamazaki. She was diagnosed with cancer and decided to make an album for what may be her last time, and offered me the opportunity to be her producer/engineer. I used all my contacts to book great musicians, arrangers, and studios. We went to New York, a city that many Japanese musicians aspire to visit, and worked with local musicians in a studio there, doing sessions, writing songs, and recording vocals. That album is still a job I am proud of.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am involved in music production for a Japanese game company called Square Enix.

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

A: Unfortunately, there is still not much work to be done at Sound better. I look forward to working with many musicians.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Because the best of analog and the best of digital are completely separate, and together they are better.

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

A: The music is the musician's child. I put 100% of our effort and love into making the songs better for the clients who entrust me with their precious children.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: It's about making the musicians smile when they hear the mix.

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

A: Will this music get better? Absolutely.

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

A: It is a demand for something that is as different from the given material as possible. I cannot make a pizza with the same ingredients used to make curry.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Please let me know what kind of mix you are looking for.

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

A: It is to clarify what we are looking for in an engineer.

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

A: One great musician. One great instrument One great microphone One great set of speakers One great tape recorder

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

A: I entered the best studio in the East at the age of 19 and worked with many famous Japanese musicians. I acquired a lot of skills there, and this year marks 26 years since I became an independent engineer.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Someone who understands what the musicians want to do better than they do.

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

A: The 1975 Because it has a great feeling of blending live instruments with a modern approach, and because it tries new things.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: It is about having a dialogue within the team you are building with.

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

A: I listen to all kinds of music on a regular basis. Therefore, I am capable of mixing and mastering any genre of music. In the work I usually do, Pops, Rock, Electronica, Classical, etc.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am skilled at blending live instruments with not-so-live electronic sounds. I am also confident in the natural correction of vocals.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring the songs emotion, power, and sensitive treatment.It is also important to keep in mind the trends of the times.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is very small, but a lot of music has come out of it. DAW : protools Concole : SSL AWS900 Speaker : amphion one15 Ton of plug-ins

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

A: I have worked in the recording industry for over 25 years. I have been a positive influence from many great musicians, producers and musicmen. I have learned a lot, especially from producers who put together abstract concepts of music.

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

A: I mainly do mixing when I receive pre-recorded para material. I can also do mastering depending on the situation.