Mastering

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

A: With the band The Prussians, I had the pleasure to work with them in the older studio I've been part of as recording engineer, as a mastering apprentice while in Hay Zeelen studio, and now I'm mastering their latest works. I'm proud as I consider them friends after 13 years of trust.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working with a local band called Cercle, single is already out "Banzai", a rap album with local artist Balle, and the brazilian Glaucco Ginard upcoming album, that feats Billy Sheehan, Alex Hutchings and The Doctors

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

A: I have not looked in depth who is here, but surely I know someone i feel confident to recommend them to.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: The best of both worlds, because dogmas usually do not lead to the best result.

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

A: Until you are not happy i wont be happy

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to listen to exiting music everyday of my life.

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

A: For the price, how good is their production, and if I can make a difference. and I answer them the truth.

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

A: That I can fix a bad mix, while surely I can improve on it, some people belive its fine to pass the ball up the ladder and get professional results.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How the production was conducted and by who, what are their goals.

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

A: To trust their ears, this is music after all.

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

A: Neve preamps, Elysia compresor, Maselec MEA-2 EQ, Crane Song Hedd and my PMC's

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

A: I started by playing guitar at 14 by looking at my older brothers friends play at the local venues near by me, then I went to record a demo with my first band, moment in which I realised that I wanted that studio chair, took a few intenrships at local studios until I had my own. Then I took one band i recorded and mixed to be masterd by Hay Zeelen Mastering studio, took and intership with him and end up buying hes studio when he retired. 22 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Less is often more, if big changes need to be done at mastering, I would suggest the artists and mixing engineer in a polite and informative way how to adress them

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

A: Robert Fripp, I still in love with his music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Sure, always have two back up hard disks with your costumer work.

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

A: Rock, alternative rock, jazz, and now days urban music

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: People skills.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: What the song is missing, I like to believe :)

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I listen to the songs as it arrives to the studio a few times to feel the mixed track while I'm drinking a hot Nesquick. After that I have a pretty good idea on how I can imporve the tracks.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a top analog chain, Neve preamps, Elysia compresor, Maselec MEA-2 EQ, Pendulim Limiter... and PMC's and Avantone Speakers

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

A: King Crimson, The Beatles, Radiohead, Rory Gallagher, Jimi Hendrix

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

A: Mastering 90% of the times. Mixing the other 10%