Recording Studio

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

A: I can promise to use my skills and all the world-class equipment at my disposal to serve the songs in their project. If the goal is to produce a body of work, I will push them to do their best and motivate them to make decisions which make a cohesive ep, album or collection. If the goal is to mix or produce one track, I will follow the brief and make suggestions along the way to improve it or encourage the artist to make decisions to serve the vision.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like meeting people and working with people I would not have had a chance to work with otherwise. When it comes to mixing for artists like The Darkness or Charlotte Awbery, I find it rewarding when someone tells me they like the track I mixed especially when there is already work out there mixed by someone else.

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

A: Is this what it's going to sound like in the final mix? My reply is no: we are just getting drum tones or we are just making sure the guitar sound is right for the track. The mix is a delicate, lengthy process. For the most part when an artist is in the studio with me while I am doing some mixing on the spot, it can be a challenge to keep their expectations in check while capturing the correct sounds.

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

A: Is this what it's going to sound like in the final mix? My reply is no: we are just getting drum tones or we are just making sure the guitar sound is right for the track. The mix is a delicate, lengthy process. For the most part when an artist is in the studio with me while I am doing some mixing on the spot, it can be a challenge to keep their expectations in check while capturing the correct sounds.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your influences? If you could support any band/artist, who would be a good fit? I just talk to people about what they like and what they want their sound to be and WHY they like what they like. Sometimes it is about finding the direction behind the work.

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

A: The biggest misconception is the length of time it takes to complete a track from start to finish. When booking studio time, most people underestimate the time it will take to complete the project.

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

A: While we will work with any genre, any style and for any type of project, the best situation is for someone to have a clear vision and plan in mind, so we can use our skills to execute it to its full potential.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment I am working on several projects including a debut album for a female singer-songwriter and mixing several tracks for a female country singer and an album for a rock singer who plays all the instruments on his projects.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: A hybrid of both -- it's the best of both worlds. I am happy to use either or both when it serves the project.

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

A: I have been writing, playing and producing music since I was a teenager. I went to school at SAE which began my education and formal training. My career officially began as an assistant at Abbey Road I cut my teeth which led to owning several studios back to back.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I am able to fit in with many different styles, however most of the artists I work with tend to be rock or pop. As a songwriter I tend to write in more pop-punk or post-hardcore styles.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Pitch, timing, feel and ability to play -- if you have all of those, the entire process will go much more smoothly.

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

A: Neumann U86, Neve 1073, LA2A, acoustic guitar, and a solo-powered generator haha

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

A: I would love to work with Alexisonfire if they were still a band. I love their clean vocals and how it contrasts with the aggressive style I make regularly. It strikes a clever balance between metal and pop which creates a very unique sound.

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

A: I can produce most genres, however most of my work is rock, pop, country, singer/songwriter, R&B, metal, pop-rock, and post-hardcore. I work with solo artists as well as bands and ensembles.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I have excellent communication skills from my time as an educator. I can convey complex concepts in simple terms and provide feedback, both positive and negative, in a sensitive way which maintains the trust of the client while making the best decisions for the project.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to bring out the personality and energy of the artist and help bring their vision to life. It's my duty to serve the song and overall project, however I am happy to be critical if that is what the artist requires to produce their best work. I am also a songwriter and performer, so I can offer ideas and additional accompaniment when needed.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: If mixing, I typically discuss the influences and scope of the project with the artist. Then, I create an initial mix to their original specifications before sending it for further notes. Once I receive all feedback I finalise the mix to close the project. Overall the mixing process takes 1-2 days depending on how quickly the communication and feedback is provided. It can take less if the session comes to me on editing. I am very clear with the artists I work with, and I always explain how I prefer sessions should be provided (tracks labelled, etc) which can streamline the process and achieve the quickest turnaround time.

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

A: Chris Lord-Alge, Greg Feldman, Brendan O'Brien, John Frusciante, Queens of the Stone Age

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: SSL Duality Delta 48 Channel Desk Chandler: 32 Channel Rack Mixer Conversion: Orion 32 HD Gen 3 Pro Tools Ultimate Logic Pro X

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

A: I am co-owner of a full service recording studio. We have multiple studio spaces for writing, recording, producing, engineering, mixing and mastering. I am also interested in remote mixing and mastering.