Pop Producer & Mixer

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I really like to know a client's tastes and purpose. Who inspires them? Why are they releasing music? There are different ways to work for different outcomes like for radio, to go viral, etc.

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

A: I'm often told that an artist thinks they 'can't afford me' because of my experience. My best advice would be to reach out! I try to work with budgets, and I have a large network of other people that I can recommend, if that doesn't work.

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

A: Laptop, Electric Guitar, Apollo, Midi Keyboard, and Adams Monitors. Between the real instruments and the computer, I'd have access to nearly all sounds I'd need to write and produce.

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

A: Out of college, I started working as an engineer in a studio in Manhattan. On my days not at the studio, I'd be working as a producer + songwriter with a variety of artists. After a few years, I was consistently flying out to Los Angeles to work with a lot of LA-based artists, so I decided to move to Los Angeles full time. I currently am based out of LA, and have been music at a professional level for 10 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is a mix of organic and electronic. I'm a multi-instrumentalist and a DJ, so I love combining those two worlds to create something new.

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

A: My dream artist to work with at the moment is the 1975. They are currently one of the most exciting acts to me because they are doing something different than everyone else.

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

A: I work under the 'pop' umbrella a lot, which usually consists of a lot of different genres. I am in sessions daily writing new songs from nothing, so my job is to find a feeling, and create a song that encapsulates that.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is tenacity. I won't stop working on a project until everyone who is on that project is excited about it, no matter how much work that takes.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: A game-changing production tip I learned from Deadmau5 was to use a Multiband Compressor on your bass. Activate one band to cover the sub-frequencies, and turn the ratio to ∞:1. This will allow your sub frequencies to be more controlled and hit more consistently, even when the notes are changing.

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

A: Soap by Melanie Martinez really surprised me. I produced it along with a close peer, and while we loved the song, we had no idea it would get as big as it did. It was also my first song to go platinum, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm a full time producer and mixer, so that's changing weekly. I have a lot of songs in the hands of large artists that are always rolling out through the year.

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

A: Plenty of people! Just ask what you're looking for.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! Learning analog helps to understand why digital works the way it does, and what the processes are based upon. A good mix of both helps to use the strengths of both worlds.

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

A: You will love and be excited about the final product because I will not stop working at it until you do :)

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Helping artists achieve their vision. I got into music because I've been obsessed with music my whole life. If I can help an artist make a song or an album that's better than they've ever dreamt- that's the best feeling in the world.

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

A: There's no "one question" that I commonly get, but just more of the overall process of a song at a professional level.

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

A: I would say most people would be surprised the amount of time and work it takes to reach a competitive sound as a producer or mixer. The truth is that you have to be willing to sacrifice a lot and usually work 7 days a week if you want to succeed.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A breadth of experience in multiple genres at a professional, competitive level. I've worked in music full time in New York and LA for the last 10 years, so I've worked with just about every kind of artist imaginable. I know how to take influences an artist has and create a new, exciting sound.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The first thing I do in any project is learn where the artist is coming from on a musical and sonic level. This helps me to understand how to navigate a project that are in terms are the artist's ultimate vision. After that, I believe in working closely with an artist through every step of the project, and not stopping until we get the project to a place they are really excited about.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The most commonly used pieces of my set-up are an Apollo 8, 1176 Compressor, Manley Reference Mic, and Adams A8X Monitors. I commonly use a variety of guitars and hardware synths for production.

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

A: I'm really inspired by people who incorporate different influences to make something new. A few good examples are Max Martin, the 1975, Bon Iver, Tove Styrke, the Chainsmokers, and many more.

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

A: Production and Mixing. Taking any form of an idea and translating it to a professional sounding song.