produce and mix most generes

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

A: I just finished mixing a not so great recording of a song called ALL BLACK by Suspect208. The band is made up of the 2nd generation of stellar musicians (Slash, Robert Trujillo, Scott Weiland). The video was directed and edited by my son Sage. It was awesome working with my friends kids and my son!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am producing and mixing a pop song with a girl who lives and is recording her vocals in the Alps. I am also producing and mixing a r & b song with a girl who lives and record her vocals in Australia. I have also just finished producing and mixing a song by the late Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) & Slash (GnR)

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

A: not at the moment

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Theres a time and a place for either. Older or more live oriented musicians love the analog world and its warmth. Younger and /or more electronic style artists really need the ease and options that can only ne done in the digital world. At one point or more during the production I use both, regardless.

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

A: I promise you will be coming back for more . The experience you have with me will be eye opening and exciting . The end result will put a huge smile on your face and spark interest from many people who would not have been so interested or known about you prior.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Theres no better feeling than coming up with a great song!

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

A: How much input will I have on the production w=once I hire you? My Answere is , We work in phases and we will not proceed to the next phase until you are happy with the previous phase of the production. It starts off with Chord structure than arrangement, mix and finally mastering.

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

A: I have soo much fun dong this that most people find it hard to believe that I do this for a living!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your 2 favorite songs at the moment? What are your intentions with the final song?

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

A: I would definitely tell you that I am the one-stop shop . Most of the time "cheaper" is more expensive in the long run. I might be a little more expensive than some (less than also). But I am efficient and very good at what I do . It will save time and money in the studio!

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

A: guitar, keys ,2 mic pres. computer and interface

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

A: I come from a family of musicians and have been doing music since I was 13 years old (37 years) . Music production and mixing has been my path for at least 25 years

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I have the best of both worlds when it come to my style/s. I have a degree in music . I played Skas, cumbia, reggae and rock for years in Cancun Mexico. I have learned production and mixing from the best in the business. So when it comes to newer styles of pop music , I use very modern tech.

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

A: I would love to work with Alex Da Kid . I admire all of his different styles of production .

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I use up to 6 different reverbs in one production .This gives a much more 3d dimension to the music. I might use 3 different revers on a lead vocal (small room , a long hall , Side chained reverb triggered by the kick (tempo of the song)

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

A: These days its mostly pop and r &b , but I love to produce rock , hiphop and country . But my production skills are not limited to these genres.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Production and mixing are my strongest skills , Once I know a few key parameters of the artist ,

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring 35 years of knowledge of multiple genres and styles of production to the records. I also help place songs that I have produced and mixed into tv and film . I have placed over 300 titles in tv an film over the years. I am very efficient and mindful of the cost and time it takes the artist to finish a song within their budgets.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Since I produce and mix most genres, I usually get a couple links from artists to their favorite 2 songs they feel they would like to be categorized by. This gives me a starting point as to my style of production and mixing.I either create a chord progression around their vocal demo and then produce the song based on their genre or I add to productions and mix based on some key information the artist gives me.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a small 3 room studio with some very high-end outboard gear and keyboards. I have fender guitars , Marshall and Ashdown amps. I use Protools 12 with UAD interface . SSL , Manley, Neve, API, Roland Korg and tons of plugins and soft synths

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

A: I am inspired by newer productions. Mainly in the pop and r&b genres, but not limited to these. Alex Da kid, Chainsmokers, Slash, Halsey, Rick Rubin, Dr Dre,George Martin etc

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

A: People usually send me melody ideas and I produce and mix around them based on the style and genre of music they love. They also send me all files/stems to their music and will add to the production , mix and master. I also create artificial harmonies (sound real) using the artists vocals.