Mixer, Engineer, Drummer

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

A: Travis Vance is a great bass player and friend of mine from our days in college. He tours extensively with Thomas Rhett and is highly versatile.

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

A: I think the biggest misconception of mixing engineers is that there is some kind of magic fairy dust that can turn lifeless performances into magical, grammy winning records. Mixing will not fix problems in performance or arrangement, but instead, will really shine a light on deficiencies. As an example, if you give a mixer a VST of a string section, there is no possible way to make that VST sound like the London Philharmonic.

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

A: I've been playing and recording music since I was a kid. But I initially moved to Nashville with the intention of being a touring drummer, which I was for about 10 years. Eventually the sideman gig just became less desirable to my life goals and I made the switch to the other side of the glass and haven't looked back since.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Every decision has to be viewed from the lens of, "Will this make the song better, or am I just doing this because I can?"

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As a mix engineer, I strive to just bring out what is already there. Really, what we do comes down to taste, and ultimately, I think that is what I bring to each project.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I've always been a firm believer that it is less about the tools, and more about the ability of the mixer. I do utilize some outboard gear in my mix setup, but I don't think that at the end of the day, I wouldn't be able to get the sound I want based solely on one or the other.

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

A: I will work tirelessly to deliver a product that they can be proud of. And above all else, I will always listen to what they want and do everything in my power to get there.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The fact that it's hard to call it a job!

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

A: Justin Timberlake, hands down. His talent is just incredible.

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

A: Residing in Nashville means I see a whole lot of country music, but I have had a lot of luck to be able to work on a number of pop, funk, jazz and rock projects as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think my ability to analyze how all of the elements interplay, which I believe spawns from my many years as a drummer taking in the whole band, allows me to bring a cohesiveness to a project.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: As a freelancer, I work in various facilities in Nashville based on what the project calls for. But my primary mix room is primarily a small in the box setup, using Pro Tools 12 with analog summing and lots of plugins. I do also own Logic Pro X if files need to be delivered in that format. In addition, I have a small, B room size live room with nice high ceilings and rock walls that I can track vocals in (and the occasional drum overdub!).

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

A: I try to find inspiration in everyone I come into contact with, because everyone has at least one thing that they excel at.

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

A: Right now, my days can be varied. One day I can be mixing a master or demo, the next cutting vocals, and the following day tracking a full 6 piece band, sprinkled with various digital editing tasks in between (comping/tuning/editing).