Full Service Audio Production

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

A: We've been doing this now for nearly 15 years so... there are SO many projects, but if I had to pick one, it would be the first project we recorded for Boat Rocker Records by the artist Nathaniel Chapman. In many ways it was a "first" and it continues to be a popular album and the artist continues to be a popular headliner to this day. He was the first of a long line up that is and is to come, but because his project was a "first", it will always be special!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: We have 14 major projects currently in production. 13 are full albums, 11 of those represented by a label and then there is our first full length movie soundtrack we're just beginning. Very busy, but very exciting times!

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

A: At this point, we're still new and unfamiliar with most or all on SoundBetter.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog input, digital output. Why? Not only because it makes everything easier and less of a financial burden on the artist, but also because the quality possible with current technology really does compare very well with the old pure analog process. Many might argue that, but there are many tools available to make an all digital production sound just like it was done all analog at a fraction of the time and expenditure!

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

A: That I will do my absolute best with their best interests in mind. So many studios are only concerned about the project and the artist until the final mix or master is wrapped up and the client is done in the studio. But our concern extends far beyond that! What's next AFTER the recording is done is just as much a concern as making the recording be as best it can be.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That I get to do what I LOVE for a living! Helping artist take that "next step" in their career and have a huge helping hand in that process is very, very, very fulfilling!

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

A: Cost of course is always a top question and within a reason we almost always find a way to make the project work within the artists means. Duration is another frequent question topic but our answer on how long the entire process is going to take from beginning to end cannot more honestly be answered at the onset with anything more than, "it depends" because there are just too many variables to accurately state how long a project will take. We can site averages, but each project is unique and comes with it's own conditions and challenges.

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

A: That a recording is basically finished when the tracking is done. What most first time studio artists don't at first realize is that after the last note is recorded, the artist gets to pack up and go home, but we are just getting started! The artists don't often realize that the vast majority of the work is in the editing and mixing - when the artist is not usually present!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the end goal? What is the ultimate purpose? When the recording is finished, what's next?

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

A: Believe in yourself. Have patience. Understand that the recording studio and the stage are two very different environments and each will challenge you in different ways, but the studio is much, much, much less forgiving!

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

A: A laptop, an audio interface, a quality microphone, a pair of monitors and a set of headphones.

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

A: Started wanting to be an artist myself. Interviewed many others who had some level of success before investing too much in my own music career. Saw much need with even the most successful artists and started a support organization to help all artists dedicated to producing clean material - the recording studio being just part of said support.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Flexible!

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

A: We are so lucky! We already ARE working with the artists we like! ;-)

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Know your material very, very, very well BEFORE entering the studio, but be flexible, patient and teachable if you have a record producer guiding your through the recording process.

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

A: All kinds! But if I had to pick a genre we have the "most" experience with it would be acoustic rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Producing, writing, arranging, orchestrating.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: The knowledge of what's going to move a listener to want to hear the song over and over and crave more material from the same artist.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: All projects start with a tour and consultation which usually leads to a review of the lyrics, ("Clean" test pass/fail), and if all goes well, booking of the first session. The initial sessions are to record the main scratch tracks for establishing a basis for "keeper" tracks to follow. Whenever possible, while recording these scratch tracks of the rhythm and lead instruments and vocals we are recording what we hope will be the "keeper" tracks for the drums and bass. After we have solid drum and bass tracks recorded, we record the "keeper" rhythm instrument tracks, (unless the "scratch" tracks already hit the mark!), followed by lead and solo supporting tracks and last but not least the "keeper" vocal tracks. Following the tracking we enter the mix, testing the "finals" in multiple environments and obtaining all approvals before sending them off to be mastered.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: We are a 24-track Digital recording studio with a control room, tracking room, three vocal/drum/isolation rooms, a large comfortable lounge, kitchenette and guest rooms for overnight clients who take advantage of our bed and breakfast service.

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

A: There are so many! Where to begin?!

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

A: Most of our work involves the production of full length albums intended for commercial release and represented by record labels.