Online Mixing&Mastering Expert

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: as of June 2016 I'm wrapping up the mixing on a 10 song album by the band Navarro, starting to work on my own EP ideas and producing the upcoming artist Noam Grace.

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

A: I know the work of Aran Lavi and I appreciate it very much, he's a very talented producer and mixer. I would also have to mention Yossi Sassi who's a very gifted musician and has an unmistakable musical vision and a unique sound.

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

A: Usually I get asked about revisions and file formats: regarding revisions I usually allow a lot of changes being made after my 'final' mix or master has been delivered. I tend to move towards the clients vision and not strict him or myself to a predetermined number of revisions, within reason. regarding file formats- I usually prefer either .wav or .aiff, in the same bit depth and sampling frequency you recorded them (i.e. 44.1khz 24bit). I can deliver whatever file format fits you the most with whatever specs, as well as iTunes ready masters.

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

A: I have been a musician for 15 years. produced my own music, and the music of others for the last 10 years. I started recording, mixing and mastering "along the way" more than 8 years ago and fell in love with it. since then I did free work, paid work, volunteers projects, and also had the chance to study with my country's leading mastering eng. Yoram Vazan (WuTang Clan, Michael Jackson). I also spent a few years as a freelancer recording/mixing enginner in big label studios, working with Aran Lavi, Louis Lahav and others. recently I also produce a couple of indie acts in my own studio from start to finish.

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

A: Mostly analog, "recorded", organic studio music. anything from the heaviest realms of rock and metal- to smooth and easy blues and jazz.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Usually regarding mixing- it starts with a good conversation. being able to understand the artist's vision is 50% of the work. I then take my time actually listen to the project, evaluating it and making both artistic and technical notes. Only then I "start" working on it- but I'm not playing the 'guessing game'. usually before I finish I give the artist an 80% done product, and ask him for a list of corrections and also things he liked- so I know what to fix and if my general vision matches the artist's.

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

A: Its an impossible dream but I'd like to work with Paul McCartney in Abbey Road's studio 2. John Mayer as well, Arctic Monkeys maybe :)

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: In mixing: 1. always start with the basics- gain staging, volume, pan, eq, compressor. create a "static" "dry" mix only using those tools. 2. always make sure your process and plugins have the same volume when bypassed and active. A/B them with your eyes closed- you'll be surprised. 3. Before you compress anything, ask your self- "why do I want to compress this?" "for what purpose?". dynamics are the soul of music, dont kill it.

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

A: My promise is that I'll do everything within my power (and within reason :P ) to give them a service they will enjoy and a final product they will love and be proud of.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. because with 24bit/96khz there is so much quality and headroom, all you have to do is "steal" the analog world's way of thinking and working, along some unusual plugins- and you can make it sounds however you like: warm, cold, punchy, flat, loud, dynamic, noisy, pristine, analog and digital! plus, the benefits of working digital are so great, and becoming more and more prominent in today's world and music industry.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The feeling of accomplishment (like holding the vinyl in your hands) and being able to share it with others (the artist)

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

A: The biggest misconception is in order to make good, well acknowledged music- you need to spend 100,000$ on studio gear, vintage analog cables and what not. it's just not true. it's a misconception by parts of the industry unwilling to grow up! Recent proof can be found with artists like Fitz and the Tantrums who created their EP at home with one microphone and an antique version of protools, and they just topped the Billboard charts.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask what artists they like, inspire the, they wanna sound like. I ask what they expect in terms of production, timeline, and budget. I try to understand who is their crowd, what they are listening to, and where and how the music is going to be distributed. I try and understand what more can I do to help them, besides mixing for example, using my wide 'tool belt'

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

A: I would say trust your ears, trust your heart. dont go blindly after big names, expensive gear, rumors and "internet" misinformation. I might not be the right choice for you, but make sure whatever choice you make- you make it for a good reason.

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

A: well.......... of course it will be the absolute minimum for creating music: computer, sound card, microphone, electric guitar, guitar amp :)

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

A: I volunteered at a community center near my neighborhood. I helped a 15 year old girl who's had some rough time, produce the song she wrote. i recorded her, created the music, mixed and mastered everything. She took 2nd place in an art-tech convention in the U.S.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style of work is well planned and precise. The style of music I like to create is very organic, and has room for mistakes and magic to happen.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would have to say communication, and working under a deadline.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: a Lot of love for "old-school" sounds and techniques. a great familiarity with various musical genres. Also, my fresh perspective not just as a "technical mixing engineer" - but as a producer and musician my self as well.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's a project studio with a balanced listening environment, based around a ProToolsHD system and high quality HEDD digital monitoring, and editing capabilities.

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

A: Generally speaking- artists, both technical and not, who can use their technical or musical skills to touch people's hearts. that's truly ART, and i'm in that business.

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

A: I'm an online Mixing and Mastering expert, helping artists from all around the world get their music to the finish line.