Remote Mastering Studio

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

A: I collaborated on a song written by Mike Britner. Mike asked Gary Mitchell, the leader of Molasses Creek to record the song. Gary asked me if I would record drums and percussion tracks for him. So, after Gary had recorded guitars, bass and vocals to a click track in his studio, he sent me those tracks and I set about recording myself on drums and percussion. I sent those tracks back to Gary, he mixed the song, then sent it back to me for mastering.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: My studio is a hybrid setup utilizing both analog and digital tools - and knowing when either, or both, are appropriate for the task at hand.

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

A: My promise to my clients is "to do no harm to your creation". To treat you and your work with respect and care.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music is 'air' to me - I cannot live without it. I enjoy being involved in a large variety of musical creations and knowing that I can help the artist publish a polished, professional sounding piece.

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

A: Can you fix this anomaly, or that glitch? In most cases the answer is "yes", however, if teh audio is riddled with issues, the best approach is often to re-record.

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

A: Most young mix engineers think that mastering is just hitting a loudness target, and that louder is better. This could not be further from the truth.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your desired outcome? What areas to you feel need attention? What enhancements would you like to have?

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

A: Discuss your vision for your work before trusting them with your audio!

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

A: A satellite phone, solar generator, my Focals, a loaded iPod, Lava Lamp. :-)

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

A: I have owned my studio since 2008. I have been a drummer all my life, but joined a group in 2001 and decided a few years on to learn how to record us while we jammed. I have been a live sound engineer for more than a decade as well, working in a couple of churches as lead audio tech, and directing the live streaming programs.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'd like to think of my mastering style as 'transparent, but better'!

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

A: Amos Moses Music, an Irish rock band. I saw them busking on the street in Killarney in 2022 and they were fantastic - and one of the hardest working bands in Europe!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When recording, always record at 24 Bit. The difference in detail between 16 and 24 Bit is exponential!

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

A: I work on many types of music - Classical, Jazz, Rock, Folk, Blues, Bluegrass, Christian, Pop, Progressive Rock, Indie, etc.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My willingness to partner with my clients and add my attention to detail to the project.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I will look for places across the frequency spectrum that are muddy, or harsh, and make small surgical corrections. I might feel like the song might benefit from some width, or depth, and make small enhancements. Perhaps some saturation... Overall, I will serve the song, without overpowering it.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First, I talk to the client, learn what they see as their vision for the song/album/project. Then I listen to the audio all the way through, identify potential issues, and places I believe need some enhancement. I'll discuss these ideas with the client and upon agreement, I will get to work!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run a hybrid setup utilizing state of the art hardware and premier digital tools to realize my goals. An interface capable of 32 Bit/384 KHz resolution, outboard gear from SSL, TK Audio, Drawmer and others as well as monitoring from Focal and Genelec. My range of plugins run from MAAT Digital, Fab Filter, Leapwing, Tone Projects, Plugin Alliance, Sonnox, and many, many others.

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

A: I am inspired by many professional audio engineers - those that work hard to enhance and uplift their clients work. Peter Gabriel is one, George Martin, Alan Parsons, Al Schmidt, just to name a few.

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

A: The bulk of my work is in mastering well recorded songs or albums for my clients. I do also get involved in audio restoration projects, and occasionally run live sound for people.