Mixing, Mastering

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

A: I am especially proud of assistant engineering EST Gee's #1 album "Bigger Than Life Or Death" this year. I helped with some rough mixes, session setups, vocal mixing, and I printed the final deliverable files.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A couple confidential projects, but I recently finished co-producing and engineering Dave Sorrendino's full debut EP "Love in Reverse", Ism's album "Blue Mantis", Säm Wilder's re-release of the "Homebound" EP, and The Relative Minimum's sophomore EP.

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

A: Yes, the Spin Move Producers team! Peter Barker is a masterful engineer and producer. Never met someone so knowledgeable and professional with delivering your music how you need it.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Definitely a mix. Analog pres into a DAW where I can move audio cleanly and quickly. I have access to analog compressors and EQs later if I'd like, but I prefer the analog/digital combo so I can still choose.

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

A: I promise to deliver a professionally loud and balanced version of your song, as you want it to feel.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Bringing something to its full potential. I'm in love with the process of showing everybody else what you've always heard your song to be.

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

A: A lot of people will ask for a "crazy, messed-up" effect on vocals. I've been asked this enough times to have a couple tricks! However the answer always starts with the vibe of the song.

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

A: Haha. There is a line between mixing, and production/creative work. But I'm happy to do both on SoundBetter, as my job is simply to finish your song!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask how many tracks they have, how many need editing, and how they would like the mix to feel.

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

A: Find somebody who will make your song feel the way you think it should feel. This person should have a musical ear, not just a scientific one!

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

A: I would take both of my ears, a 64oz IPA, a Herman Miller chair, and the FabFilter Pro-Q 3.

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

A: This is a funny question because my "career path" was an applied mathematics job. However I've been mixing and producing music for eleven years now. I won't stop until I have a Grammy, and even then I'll keep going!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is loud, clean, and modern. My favorite mixes are ones that focus and hit just how you'd want in 2021.

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

A: I would love to work with Ariana Grande. My style of vocal stack editing and strategic vocal placements could complement her style pretty well. Not to mention her songs are all bangers anyways.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Complement the vocals. Whether that means clearing frequency space, cutting the fat with complicated lead instruments, or moving drums to hit on certain words. If it's a style where listeners care about the words, I think it's most important to cater to the vocal parts.

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

A: Most music I work on is hip-hop or pop music, although I do work a lot with slower ballad-type songs and aggressive metal.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is patience. I won't stop until the client gets what they want. The customer is always right.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring what's already in the song, but emotionally focused. Having experience with pop and metal I can also make each element clean and loud.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I prefer to import stems, organize, bring to mix level, and do a rough balance. Then I'll edit, clean, and tune vocals if the song calls for it, and the clients requests it. The extra vocal TLC helps me keep them focused and loud. Then I'll run through and make sure emotions and hits are correct. When everything is correct, I'll master against different ref mixes and check the balance on different monitors.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work with Pro Tools through Auratones, Tannoy PBM8IIs, ATH-M50X, and ATH-M70X for reference (and a Honda Civic!). I use Waves, Fabfilter, Plugin Alliance, and Black Rooster plugins for most mixes.

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

A: I am inspired by Adam "Nolly" Getgood, Alex Tumay, and Sam Pura. These guys have signature mixes, and that's what I strive for as well. To bring my own integrity to what makes your song awesome.

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

A: The most common work I do is stem mixing, and vocal edits. A well-mixed vocal will usually involve some strategic Melodyne and vocal contouring in Pro Tools, and I have extensive experience with these.