Audio Engineer/Producer

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

A: A song I have provided as an example of my work is a song called Cognitive Distortions. The song was written by myself alongside my band mates. I was the producer, recording, mixing and mastering engineer on the song and we hope to release it in the near future.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on a single for an up and coming artist called Jazmine Carnaby. I took part in helping with the arrangement of her track and we are now currently finishing the recording process. I have been producing the track and I will soon be mixing and mastering it. On the other hand, I am currently writing and producing my bands first album and I hope to be releasing that at some point in the near future. I am looking for more artists and clients to work with so please send me a message!

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

A: Lee Avant is a Mix Engineer/Producer that I have taken advice from on my career and he is extremely helpful! Draper is also another artist that I have taken advice from about my mixes and he is great to work with!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I mainly use digital for my work but if I have the opportunity to use something analog then why not. As a Guitarist I love the sound of a real tube amplifier! When the setup is right nothing beats it!

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

A: I am perfectionist so when I work on a project I will not say its finished unless both the artist and myself is happy with the final track. My aim is to deliver something that is high quality and industry standard so that level does not drop with my work.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being able to make music! It is what I enjoy and love doing!

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

A: There isn't a specific question but a lot of the time I get asked what my opinion is on something, or do I feel its ready to move onto the next stage? My answer is to usually be honest with the client so if I feel we can get a better Guitar or Drum take for example then I would usually suggest it. I also encourage to get the best recording possible as the idea of a Mix is not to correct and fix the track, it is to enhance what is there.

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

A: Just because I am a fan or my background is in Rock and Metal music it does not mean that I am not into other styles of music. I can feel just as confident producing a Country song or Pop song for example.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask them what their vision is. So what are they aiming for with the sound of their track? This may sound like an obvious question but this is my chance to collect some points on what I am aiming for when I deliver a mix.

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

A: Be honest with me as much as possible. My aim is to deliver something that you are proud to say is yours and I am easy to get along with so if there is something you would like to change or you don't like the direction the track is going in then do not feel afraid to mention it and we can work together to adjust to what you would like.

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

A: I would take my Stratocaster, my Yamaha THR30, Macbook, Headphones and spare picks and strings!

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

A: I have been in the Audio Engineering field for about 2 years now. I am still fairly new to the game and I am still growing my knowledge and learning. I have been playing Guitar and Bass for around 8 years now so I have experience creating and performing in a band situation.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would like to say fun. I like to have fun playing and creating music! For me it's all about enjoying the process that's why I am a musician. In terms of style of music Rock is what describes me as a musician.

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

A: An artist I would like to work with would be Metallica! They have been my main influence in life before and throughout my music career. One can dream right?

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: My tip would be to keep songs as original and natural as possible. Allow the originality to really show through the clients music. It is what makes it unique and signature to every one of us. I would also say don't be afraid to break the "rules". There are none in music!

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

A: I usually work on Rock and Metal music with my band as I am involved in the writing of the songs right up until the mastering. I feel that this style is what I can really excel in however, I have the ability to adjust and work with other genres to deliver final projects that are stylistically appropriate.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I feel that my strongest skill when it comes to Audio Engineering is being able to communicate with the client so that they feel confident handing over their project for me to work on. Songs can be personal so the artist needs to feel confidence in my abilities to help them achieve that sound they are looking for. I feel that another skill I have is being able to really listen to the track hearing and highlighting elements that I want to still be prominent in the final mix.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: When approaching a project I think about enhancing what is there to begin with. When the artist has a track I try my best to not remove the element of originality from the sound. I like to deliver a final product that still sounds like their sound but with an edge that sounds professional and original. I also bring my listening experience from being a musician and a listener to enhance the track with ideas that will take your song to the next level!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually have a meeting with the client to discuss what they are looking for and then we will start working together on what they want to achieve. The absolute focus is that the client releases a project that they are happy with and would be proud to promote. I will then spend some time listening to the demos and absorbing the feel and appropriate style for the track. I will then brainstorm the ideas make a rough mix and discuss back and forth with the customer what they think of the ideas and what they want to use going forward. I then create the first version of the mix review it with the artist, and this will repeat until the client is satisfied with the mix. We will then do the same for mastering process.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Currently I work remotely at home. I use a Macbook Pro to do all of my work on and I mix everything through my Yamaha Hs7 Studio Monitors. I do most of my work on Logic Pro X and I also use a range of external plugins from companies like Waves, Neural DSP and Plugin Alliance. If I am required to record a band I am happy to travel to other studios to carry out the recording process.

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

A: Growing up I was heavily influenced by the Thrash Metal movement with bands such as the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Sepultura, Megadeth and Anthrax. However, depending on the style and genres, I can take inspiration from a range from artists like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, John Mayer, Death, Guns N, Roses, Randy Newman, AC/DC, Billie Eilish, Daniel Donato, Hootie & The Blowfish, The Black Crowes, Rival Sons to name a few. In terms of influences from some of the great producers and mixers I look to peopl such as Bob Rock, Butch Vig, Mike Clink, Dave Cobb, Andy Wallace, Joe Baressi, Finneas, Scott Burns, Andrew Scheps, Chris Lord-Alge and more.

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

A: I am a full stack producer which means depending on what the client requests I can be involved in the writing/composing of a song, producing, mixing and mastering stages of a project. My most recent project is with a Pop artist, who approached me to help with writing and producing her song. We are now in the recording stage and I will be completing the mixing and mastering within the next month ready for release.