Producer & Mastering Engineer

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

A: I got a project from a client that ask me to do a full CD with 25 brand new children songs. I only got simple phone draft recordings and for some of them a single-page one-voice note sheet. My job was in a month to recruit children singers, make full arrangements, play piano, bass, synths, organs, drums and guitars on all songs, record children vocals and too adult singers. Then I should edit all tracks, mix them, master them and handle the artwork for the CD cover and in-let. After a month I manage to send the project into the duplication company and they received the first copies in a box. I really thrived in this project and the customers were happy. A lot of children families enjoyed these 25 new Danish children songs.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm finishing some self-composed instrumental tracks for sync licensing. They are to be published at a sync library for television and movie use.

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

A: Not yet - I just started using SoundBetter. Hope to get to know a lot of nice people and companies here.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I'm not a fanatic/religius at all regarding the analog/digital debate. Having a university degree in both electronics and software engineering I know that there strengths and weaknesses in both domains. Does the little analog nuance of a certain EQ really mean so much in the listening experience of the targer audience? Is the gain of using analog flavour worth introducing the extra distortion and conversion loss to and from the analog devices compared to using a modern software version of same hardware? I my case it's all depending on the situation and the end customers preferences. I have access to rent expensive analog gear on an hourly basis, and if a specific customer demand occur, I'll try to accomodate it. In some cases, I might suggest an A/B-test and send the customer a sample. In other cases I'll boldly suggest using either analog or digital gear based upon my own ears. But the customer is the customer.

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

A: I take you seriously! I'm honest! I'll do my very best inside of the budget aggreement

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Sound and music is my biggist interest in the hobby and business area of my life. Being able to create, shape and reach a goal together with others is essential for my thriving.

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

A: "Can't I just master my songs myself - if if buy the same gear as you have?" Answer: "Yes you can - I've been there years back. This is specialized work. It's not the gear itself - it's the experience and the way you use the possibilities of the equipment to actually enhance the song - not destroy it".

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

A: I often end up in conversation with private customers who thinks I can make a professional sounding song out of a bad song for a very low budget. "Since you have all this gear, you can fix my voice and my timing electronically right?". I try to avoid this kind of customer and kindly explain to them, that a complete song to be compared with professional 2022 relases needs a good foundation to succeed - and some working hours for me as well".

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I interview my prospective clients thoroughly and try to look behind the task at stake. What is the real motivation for making the product? Are we matched regarinding capabilities? Are the expectations realistic for the budget? Is there a clear understanding of the terms for both parties?

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

A: Know that I have high personal integrity. I'm not perfect of cause but I'm honest to work with. I'm not in it for the money alone. I have an urge to make something together with you that you will be happy with on the long term. I'm searching for long-term returning customers.

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

A: My bible, my computer with software, a keyboard with MPE control and a pair of headphones.

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

A: I started playing piano at the age of 9 and was classically trained on piano, guitar and violin until I was 19 years old. I was my main interest and was teaching music from age 16 and earning money (for more gear) also buy being party musician for famility celebrations. I studiet Electronic Engineering and worked with software development and consulting for many years but in parallel I was music teacher and played as a live musician and worked privately (and with music school children) with recording and production. As a christian I played gospel and worship in my spare time and made my own songs. In 2013 I started my music production studio as a part time job. Since that I've combined my weeks of studio work, teaching and software engineering. In periods the studio is my main work and sometimes I earn extra income on the other activities. I'm still active in various bands and a often hired as a professional bassist playing with full time musicians.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Soft and nice - not agressive. Not hard and in your face.

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

A: I prefer working with customers that have values corresponding with my own - I'm a christian guy with high moral standards and family values and I think it is best to work with material and clients who wan't to make products in correspondance with this. It's not me to hire if the songs are about sex, drugs and violence. But it's me if you are into a romantic ballade, a soulful gospel song or a soundtrack to a children movie - just to give you viable examples.

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

A: Composing: Film music, jingles, soft pop songs, singer song writer songs, christian songs (gospel, hymns and worship), soul, motown and children music. Mix and Mastering: All genres but metal and rap music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: "Less is more" - today we can easily get trapped in endless possibilities which blinds our focus on this: Making good music that people would like to hear. Setting limitations and sticking to them tend to make more value and release the creative potential of all contributors.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'm 51 years old and I've worked with music and engieering since childhood. Besides this musical/techinal world I take great pleasure in working with real humans, dropping the "masks" and just work together to get the best out of an idea. I love the process just as much as the product and it's a joy to me being able to work with music as a part of my daily activities.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Composing and Music Production Since I'm a multi-instrumentalist I can help you receive good results since we don't have to hire musicians to everything. I'm use to do programming and play a lot myself both on keys, drums and strings (I don't play wind instruments). I'm able to produce a final mix that is ready for mastering. Mastering: If the final mix is good (which is mandatory before I even start with mastering) I can bring the final mix into industry standard final master regarding sonic spectrum, dynamic spectrum, stereo perspective and loadness.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Composing: I meet online or physical with my client - we need to know what we are dreaming about.Then I work by making simple drafts and gradually improve/correct them by coworking with the client. Music Production: I meet online or physical with my client - we need to know what we are dreaming about. Depending on the project I put my strength and weaknesses on the table and we are discussing who else should contribute to reach the goals. Mastering: I offer a free sample of one song mastered the best I can. If the customer likes it, I make a discount of the first order and the customer pays upfront. There is free revisions within the price, but if the mix is too bad I suggest the necessary changes to the mix before I take on the job as continuing with mastering. (We can't make a successful master out of a bad mix - we can only enhance what is already good).

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I own several digital pianos, synthesizers, bass'es, acoustic guitars, electric guitars as well as an acoustic violin with pickup. My studio is 150 m2 equipped with Focusrite, Tascam and Zoom audio interfaces and Yamaha studio monitors in a treated control room. I'm a experienced user of Steinbergs Nuendo and Cubase, Reason Studios, Ableton Live and I've invested a lot in high quality plugins from Hofa (IQ series), Melda Production and IK Multimedia. I've access to studio hardware like SSL Fusion, Daking COMP II, Manley Variable MU, SSL XLogic G Compressor, API 5500, Pultec EQP1A when I have customers that prefer analog gear.

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

A: From early childhood to now I've been inspired a lot by Benny Anderson and Björn Ulväus of ABBA. Regarding mixing I'm very inspired by Bobby Owsinsky's approaches to music production as well as Jaquire King. I've been fortunate to learn a lot about professional mastering from Blake La Grange (Mercury Mastering) since chosen to invest in his coaching and a lot of training sessions with his concept called Mastering Accelerator.

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

A: I mostly do mastering for clients for streaming platforms, CD and vinyl as well as full productions from composing, arranging, recording, mix and mastering. I do my best to support my client in the direction og what he or she have in their heads and dreams - and I'm making suggestions where I think it'll be benefitial.