Record Producer and Engineer

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

A: My most recent project has been a phenomenal experience, taking an artist branching out from online covers to making her own original music at some of the biggest studios in the UK. Working alongside her throughout the process has been so rewarding, understanding what she is looking for in an engineer and a producer and ensuring that she feels comfortable enough to really pour her heart out onto the tape! The team was incredible and everyone was just in it for the music. A really pleasure to be a part of (as a record engineer, producer, mix engineer and mastering engineer).

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both have their pros and cons, I don't think anyone can deny that! Analog has such an organic feel to it, its physical and natural and there definitely can be some sonic advantages to utilising analog gear in your session. It also means the more you do on the way in, the less work you have to do in the mix. However it can be expensive, time consuming and destructive (once you print a decision onto your audio, thats it!). Digital, on the other hand, has revolutionised the editing process and made music production so accessible (something I very strongly believe in). Yes you can get lost in endless online debates about conversion and loudness and everything in between, but I trust in the software I use and have experimented with it enough to understand how I should be utilising it within my projects. I also love the UADx analog emulations, they make mixing from home a dream!

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

A: Honesty, communication and a desire to really push myself for you. I want your music to be the best it possibly can.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Aside from the whole creating music thing (arguably the most incredible thing on this planet), connecting with artists and musicians! The best sessions I have worked on are when the team really comes together as a unit and honestly I have met some friends for life doing what I do.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: To get the boring parts out the way first, I ask what they are looking from me as an engineer or producer, and then what their budget is. I'll often tailor my services around what you can afford and always strive to give you as much value for your money as I can! I'll then go about finding a studio that fits your creative needs and budget if the project requires it! After that we can get onto the fun creative conversations (usually over a coffee or a zoom) about what the project is and how we can make it happen!

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

A: During my masters degree at UWL, I got an internship at Subfrantic Studios under producer Aylwin Steele. After a couple of years I had worked my way up from intern to Head Studio Engineer and helped rebuild the new Studio A. After a few years of working their, I decided to push forward with my own path as a freelance record producer and engineer, wanting to branch out to more studios and more artists! I've not looked back since (apart from when I visit the studio, its only 5 minutes away from where I live).

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

A: I love working with artists that are ready to throw their all into their productions. Open communication and honesty go hand in hand with a fun and rewarding creative process.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: USE YOUR EARS! If it sounds good, it sounds good. Trust your gut, not your eyes.

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

A: Over the last few years I have worked in the realms of feminist rage folk, prog metal, psychedelic rock, R&B, soul, jazz fusion, gospel, grunge folk, musical theatre and mainstream pop, just to name a few! I always push myself to work within new genres and styles. You learn something new every time!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Knowing what I want a song to sound like and being able to translate that into a technical process. I trust where my ears want to take me! I also love connecting and communicating with my artists. the production process can be stressful, so I want to do whatever I can to make it as fun and freeing as possible.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Aside from years of refining my ears and understanding of music production and engineering, I bring my PASSION for music! Music is so incredible to make. The journey an artist takes from writing to releasing is one I love and will bring my all to every project you bring to me, regardless if its your first release or one hundredth.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Again, what I love to do is tailor the way I work to meet your needs. If you want to book out a studio and a mix room and be a part of the entire process from hitting record to exporting the final master, then I welcome that input with open arms (its' your project after all!). Or I can work remotely, taking files you've recorded at a studio or at home and work on them with a bit of back and fourth. Revisions are included in my pricing, its important that I get the record sounding how YOU want it, not how I want it! Some of my most popular productions have been from bedroom recordings artists have done on Garage band haha!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: As a nomadic producer, if I'm looking for a studio space to bring you to, I'll usually work alongside you to find a studio thats exactly right for your project and budget. I've got a long list of studios I often work at with all the prices listed down for quick quoting. Most recently I've been working down at Middle Farm Studios in Devon, Fish Factory in Wembley and Subfrantic Studios in Bromley (Where I have previously worked as Head Engineer and actually built the studio). When mixing or mastering, I'm working from home in my mix room which is equipped with Neumann NDH 30s, Event Audio SP8s, a Mac Studio and a lovely little Yamaha MTX4 Tape Machine, along with some various fun percussion bits and some nice mics too!

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

A: There are a whole host of producers, engineers and musicians that I often talk to that inspire me on a daily basis. Producers like Romesh Dodangoda, Neil Kennedy, Aubrey Whitfield and Peter Miles are constantly blowing my mind with the work they put out. Chris Pavey and Toby Campen are two mastering engineers that have helped me constantly throughout my career too. This new wave of no secrets and gatekeeping is such a positive way of working within the industry. Everyone is on the same side!

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

A: Honestly this changes on a monthly basis! Some months I'll be locked into album mode, working in the studio with clients producing and engineering, sometimes I'll be at my home studio mixing singles, EPs or whole albums (and often powering through the editing process alongside), and sometimes I'll be locked into the mastering phase for my clients, putting the finishing touches on their projects before sending them to distribution. I'll even sometimes be working in Live audio world, mixing FOH or monitors at venues around the country (and often around the world)