'Drummer' 'Music Producer'

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

A: Darkyra Black albums Dragon Tears and Fool. Symphonic female metal with a difference. I played drums and produced and both records have had critical acclaim around the globe. These are amazing albums with a real string section and multiple instrumentation. Just an amazing time from start to finish and we are working on the third record now

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on the first A.G.D country rock record based out of California to be released January 2019 Music for TV and Film via US based publishers Audio Sparx British band JB3 just recorded their album here from start to finish, fill production, editing and mixing for release Early April 2019 Second Album tracks underway for A.G.D in demo form Third Darkyra Black record via Australia for late 2019 www.darkyra.com Continue to work with Magix Samplitude in Berlin Germany for product Our Label Got Your Six Music

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to live the dream, doing music everyday, its that simple but its also been a lot of hard work which gives it personal value

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

A: What do you charge - Let's talk What gear do you have - Ill send you a list, let's talk

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

A: That it's easy and experience does not really matter.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1 - Do you have a website 2 - Do you have a budget 3 - Can we arrange a phone call 4 - Are you prepared to go above and beyond

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

A: Talk it out, there still is nothing better than a good chat on the phone over what we love to do. Be sure of what you are looking for, make sure the person you hire is not just doing it for the money, there has to be passion but remember this is our business!

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

A: As with many from an early age, just kept going and meeting people and opening doors globally, I have been doing this a long long time !!!!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As a drummer I play for the song, too many people these days think that its all about flash and speed. I play for the song and always look at that song being on radio and a hit. As a mix engineer I want the client to be right there in the driving seat even if its done via the net its their needs and vision that comes first, I'm just there to help with that vison. Producing is a lot like building a house, you have to instil confidence in the people you are working with, understand what they are about and be there to guide and not to judge, The best results always come this way and even though the pretence of what I do is 'This is a business' we still have to have fun.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: All depends on what I am asked to do, what the session requires and whether is doing drum tracks or working with an artist from the get go!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My set up is simple, I do pretty much everything in the box with Waves. I run two interfaces that give me up to 16 inputs for recording drums so I can have plenty of room mics which I think really bring a track to life. I use Adam AZZX monitors and subs and a lot of work done on Auratone Mix Cubes. I have a very large main drum room approx. 40 by 20 ft. which can be tailored right down for a tighter sound. I have a number of different kits and cymbal set ups so anything is possible when it comes to sound. Recording and mixing software I use and endorse Samplitude Pro X3 and now 4 which I am featured on as an artist/producer on the install, and I use Grace design / DBX Mic pre amps along with a host of different microphones from AKG, Lewitt, Shure and CAD

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Very British!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen to the artist you are working with and be there to guide.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Producing /Playing/recording drums and Mixing.

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

A: Fab Jablonski, keyboards and piano

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, why not !

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

A: We will make something special, something great and we welcome you to our music family

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

A: I work on almost anything, I love all styles of music and its always great to hear what people want to do and their ideas

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

A: I'm a huge guitar fan and love Jeff beck, total inspiration and I was so lucky to spend some time recording with him in his own studio. Drummers that I look up to are for example Geoff Dugmore from the UK, always working, always busy and a super nice guy to boot

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

A: Drum tracks in many styles for international artists as well as TV and Film. Editing tracks that other artists have sent to me takes up a lot of my time but I enjoy this.