Mixing/Mastering/Producer/Bass

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

A: I'm especially proud of the House of Dusk tunes I've worked on as I did the recording/performances (bass, guitar, vocals, keys), mixing, mastering and production. I wanted to challenge myself and see how far I could push myself to get a pro-sounding product.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am tracking and editing the audio for an online course series. I love capturing dry vocals through my rig!

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

A: I don't know anyone yet but will update this once I've met some folks.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I like both. Digital provides the flexibility and ability to recall settings. Analog has the vibe (and awesome knobs/buttons)

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

A: I always do my best to deliver what it is they want at the highest quality.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The challenge of evoking and capturing the emotion and energy of something you can't see or touch.

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

A: 1. "What do you think?" My answer to this is always honest. 2. "How long will this take?" My answer: what is your deadline? 3. "How much will this cost?" My answer will usually be my rate. 4. What do we need to do to get started? My answer: Send me your reference tracks and the tracks for every tune in a well organized folder structure.

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

A: That it's easy.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your inspirations/references for these tunes? How many tunes are we working on? Is there a demo? What is your deadline?

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

A: Make sure your tracks are well recorded and files well organized. Besides that, try to have an open mind because this is what will allow your tunes to get to that next level.

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

A: My monitors, computer, soundcard, a mic and one of my basses!

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

A: Over the past 20 years, I've been recording, mixing/mastering, producing and performing (since my mid teens). I spent a lot of time with many talented musicians, engineers and in a variety of studios with a variety of gear (sometimes top of the line, sometimes guerilla.) Some of the studios I've been fortunate enough to work in were Systems Two NY, Interlace Audio in Portland, Freq Shop in Mtl,Can.I did not pay to go to school, I paid with my own money and time to work in studios over the years. My career was borne out of passion and the love of every aspect of the craft. Every session I could sit in on I would whether it was a recording for a local band or mix/mastering sessions for grammy award winners. I've learned how to work in any situation through making records with people that were better than me.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Emotional and Dynamic.

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

A: In an ideal world I'd like to work with Josh Silver (keys/producer on Type O Negative). The decisions he made as a producer and performing artist have served as inspirations throughout my time. I'd love to put music through his filter and hear what would come out. I know I'd learn a lot.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: You can't polish a turd so take the time to record your tracks properly. Leave headroom, get good, appropriate sounds that are evocative of what it is you are trying to say and more than half the battle will be won by mix time.

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

A: I tend to work on music that is on the heavier side: rock, blues, doom/stoner metal, funk, alternative. I have recorded, mixed/mastered acoustic recordings as well. I enjoy the energy of quiet music just as much as the loud music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am a nuanced listener. Whether it is for the purposes of the music or the instructions/intent of my clients: listening is my strongest skill.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As a mix engineer: I always strive to evoke the emotion and excitement of the song. I want the listener to be able to connect to the music and relate to the vocalist (if there is one). I love to accentuate dynamics and create peak and valleys in terms of the music's energy. As a mastering engineer: My aim is to be transparent and not destroy the dynamics of the mix. Depending on the needs of the client, volume will be a focus as well as a further layer of dynamics that will complement the music, giving it that professional energy and excitement. As a producer: I want the sounds and organization (instrumentation, arrangement etc.) of the music to evoke the core of what the song is. My goal in production is to let the message of the music breathe and use my tools as a function of that intention. I allow the emotion, intent and purpose of the moments in the music dictate what is needed. As a bassplayer: My clients will always have preferences of what they want to hear so my goal there is to provide the best version of what they are asking for. Performance is about dynamics, tone, listening and where to leave space. With these factors in mind, I always strive to integrate the emotion of the music into my performances.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Whether mixing, mastering, producing or tracking bass my typical process always involves first establishing a criteria for the project. I establish what the client wants, what their vision is and what their references are. From there, if there is a demo, I listen to that alongside the references and take notes. I then import the tracks in and go through my workflow. I provide a first draft, take client notes and aim to achieve the client's vision within 3 revisions. There is constant communication throughout the process and I will often ask questions to ensure the client is headed where they want to be with the project. I am always straight up about what I believe the project needs and am always open and transparent about what I believe best serves the project.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I monitor through a pair of Yamaha Hs8 speakers on stands with Auralex pads. I also monitor through a pair of AKG K702s and Beyerdynamic DT 770s. I have an optional pair of 5" KRS rokits as well as a JBL speaker I use for consumer listening of my work. There is appropriate bass trapping and sound baffles set up in the room. Run sound through an Apogee Sound card. All my in the box plugin needs are covered with a hefty collection of quality plugins from Waves, Slate, Plugin Alliance, Lexicon, House of Kush and more. For recording and outboard options, I have : An SM7B 2 warm audio TB12 preamps, A warm audio 1176 clone A DBX 1066 stereo compressor A radial JCR for reamping A radial J48 direct box Sans amp PSA 1.1 Tc Electronics G major Mesa Recording Pre Mesa stereo 2:90 power amp 2 Peavey Bass Maxx pres Yamaha spx 90 2 mark bass heads and cabs (1 little mark, 1 two channel EVO 3) A variety of stomp boxes (boss and boutique)

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

A: The music production pros that inspire me: Mike Marciano, Josh Silver, Silvia Massey, Joe Barresi, Glenn Fricker, Stephen Hawkes The musicians that inspire me: Lemmy Kilmister, Frank Zappa, Josh Silver, Les Claypool, David Bowie, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Peter Steele, Mina Caputo, Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein

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

A: The most common work I do for clients are mixes, masters, production and tracking bass.