Max Michael Miller on SoundBetter

Recording at home but want your music to sound like it’s recorded in a studio? I can do that. Recording in a studio but don't want to pay the high prices of a studio mixing engineer? You are on the right page. Let's chat.

I started mixing and recording at home so I could create high quality demos for my bandmates... And now I do it for a living. It was always frustrating to show my bandmates a song I wrote, rehearsing it with them, and it still not sounding like what was in my head. So, I sought out to record everything myself and produce demos that were EXACTLY how I wanted it to sound. After a few years of this, my mates would ask, "Where did you record this?" I'd say, "My bedroom." They'd ask, "Who mixed it?" I'd reply, "....... Me." And so on and so forth.

Being surrounded by guitars and musicians my whole life, I've developed a pretty good ear; it's MY ear with MY specific taste mind you, but I think it's alright. I've even gone all the way to SXSW with The Layne Montgomery Paper Company and played in a few other touring bands.

When it comes to mixing, collaboration is key. Here are my steps to success:

1. Open dialogue
2. Reference tracks (if you tell me your goals, drop me a few reference tracks, you and I will be golden)
3. Feedback (after the first round: tell me what you did or did not like and we will address it)

I love working with new artists and making new music. Period.

Drop me a line and let's see if it's a good fit!

Rock on!!!!

Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Credits

Languages

English

2 Reviews

Endorse Max Michael Miller

by Dan Froot
Max is an incredible musician with a unique talent for mixing and mastering: across genres he is able to bring out and heighten a musician's individual sound.

Max and I met at the Spyglass Tacodeli during Austin City Limits in 2018. We first spoke because we both had the same order: Delibelly, Cowboy, and Puerco Verde tacos, and a can of diet coke (lime on the side). I was at the festival selling merch for Thunderpussy, but we got to talking about my folk/bluegrass EP. So I hired him: although Max plays alt rock, he was able to perfectly capture my folksy bluegrass licks. Five stars!!
by Layne M.
max is a fantastic musician with a great ear! he makes recording fun and easy. highly recommend

Interview with Max Michael Miller

Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Listening to the before and after mix. OMG I love it. I live for it.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: 1. What are your influences/what do you want this to sound like/reference tracks 2. What needs special attention/what did you struggle with/something you NEED fixed 3. Release window
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I'd say looking for someone that you have a good dialogue with is extremely important. I have found working with people I really get on with much more productive than working with an "expert" who isn't as communicative. Shop around, try to get a feel for people and don't be afraid to turn people away. This is YOUR music NOT the producer's.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: It's easy to get lost "fixing" on thing. If you're spending over 5 minutes trying to fix one little thing, STOP, breathe, move on, come back to it later.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock, blues, folk, folk rock, etc. However, I love everything working on new genres.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I like songs to be tight & clean. However, there needs to be a balance with the soul and feelings of the artist. I make sure we never lose that. I love making music so I bring that love on every project I work on.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: 1. Import Tracks 2. Play on mute and adjust gain on tracks (goal is for everything to sit around -18dbs) 3. Arrange and label tracks (if not already) 4. Listen and Balance (get the mix sitting in the right spot) 5. Automate volume if necessary 6. Reductive EQ 7. Dynmaics 8. Tonal EQ 9. Saturation 10. Effects
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Spoon. Everything about Spoon. Their writing style to production style to performance style. Spoon's Producer/Drummer Dan Eno is a legend. He has mastered his sound and the sound of band: tight, percussive, and rough.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I've worked mostly with artists who record from home. A lot of folks' bedrooms/living rooms/basements are not conducive for housing a "good" recording environment. Of course a good source recording is ideal, however, I have found that Izotope RX8 is a great editing software that can make "messy" recordings sound professional. After ridding of unwanted sound, mixing everything alongside reference tracks is how I get the sound that YOU want.