The Funkiest Producer/Mixer

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who are you trying to sound like, and who are your inspirations. What songs stick out to you that influence the way you write.

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

A: Don't be a perfectionist! I know that's like telling a lit stick of dynamite not to explode, but don't do it! Don't second guess your creation. Everyone always wants to do something over and make it better. Or they want to add something. You have to learn to stop writing the track at some point and just let it be. Otherwise you'll never release tracks and you'll spend all your time on revisions. It becomes diminishing returns

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

A: 1.) My computer with all the software it has currently 2.) Lynx Aurora 3.) Barefoot Masterstack 12. 4.)Sony C800. 5.) Dw Fearn VT2

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

A: I've been mixing, and producing since college, in 2012. I worked in a studio in my hometown where I had the chance to work with some incredible producers and engineers. It's there that I learned the finer points of producing and engineering. It's what I've carried into my professional career for years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Funky. Old funk, new funk, fast funk, slow funk, weird funk. I can add any funky element to any track. My own writing is very retro-modern. I'm always moving forward by using elements of the past

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

A: Hands down if I had to choose anyone to work with today it would be Janelle Monae. Her musicianship is VERY close to what I like to write and produce.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't try to control everything. Let the music do what it wants to do. Every track will let you know what it needs. Be very mindful of not adding too much, or not adding enough.

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

A: I prefer anything in the pop realm. Things with lots of vocals, synthesizers and either programmed or live drums. However, I have worked in almost every genre imaginable. I've mixed rap, recorded metal, and even done film scores.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Flexibility and networking. I can play in almost any genre. I can arrange any instrument and any part. If I can't play something, I absolutely know someone who can. My network of players is huge. I can find the right sound for any track.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Depends on the project. Sometimes I've just added an instrument or 2 to the track, But a lot of times I'm writing and creating the track from the ground up. I can do it all across multiple genres. For mixing, I'll mix the entire track and oversee the mastering process as well if desired.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Production: Write the track. Collaborate with the artist to build the best possible track. Once the client is happy we'll record vocals. After that I mix and send off to mastering.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Apollos as my main interface. And I have the entire plugin collection. Those are running out to my PMCs that I use to mix on, which is coming from a KRK sub. I also use iLoud Micros and a Goodwill stereo system form the early 2000s as my B/C pairs. You wouldn't think it, but that setup gets me the best results because both of these pairs reveal things in the mix I wouldn't have heard on the PMCs. I also have a Fantom8, 1977 Rhodes, a Nord Electro 6D, A Moog Rogue, and TONS of VST synths and instruments. Plus a wide array of guitars/effects and amps.

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

A: My favorite mix engineers are Serban Genhea and Mic Guzouski. Those are who I get pretty much all of my mix references from. They kind of have opposing schools of thought in some ways, but I'm able to combine techniques from both of them to get a great result.

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

A: Production and mixing are my main thing. If I'm producing, I'm present from the songs creation to its release. Most of the time I'll create the track, produce the vocalist and then mix the track. I never master however. I always send that out to someone else so I can have a final set of ears on my mixes in case there's something I missed.