Producer and Mix Engineer

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

A: I was proud to be the producer on an album for artist Laurin Floyd a few years back. She is an extremely talented songwriter and singer and it was a pleasure getting to bring her songs to life.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently working on Post Production for a Live Night of Worship I recorded at my Church. As well as wrapping up some mixing for Laurin Floyd as well as mixing for a number of Hal Leonard Publishing Arrangers.

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

A: Paul Kimsal I have personally worked with over the years and would highly recommend him. Mike Stankiewicz is also a great mix engineer that I would recommend.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, I (like many) enjoy the way analog circuitry reacts to a sound, but there are so many things that are made possible within the Digital domain that couldn't have even been dreamed up before computers were invented. So I love to leverage both at my studio. I have a mix of wonderful analog outboard gear and then top of the line AD with some of the best plugin processing made. Can't get much better than that in my book.

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

A: I will always work my hardest to make your project the absolute best it can be.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love bringing a project to life! From it's earliest stages, to final master. It's always a joy to be a part of the journey that a song or project goes on.

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

A: One thing I am asked a lot is how I got to be so fast at working Pro Tools. To which my answer is lots of practice and as everyone knows mistakes are the greatest teacher. There's nothing quite like making a mistake when there is a 20 piece orchestra on the cutting floor waiting on you. I can guarantee any mistake you make, you will never make again! Haha.

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

A: I have been accused of making it look very easy, which I can assure you it absolutely is not. Lol

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always like to ask what the inspiration behind the project is. Music is something that is extremely personal and sometimes scary to share with other people, so I feel getting to know someone on a deeper level is important to truly bring a project to life.

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

A: I'd say I am completely committed to doing whatever I can to bring your project to life.

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

A: First off, Sm57. (No explanation needed. lol) Secondly, I'd have to say a Shadow Hills Mono Gama (It has 3 different output transformers so you can shape the sound in a number of ways right within the Pre-Amp) Third would be Empirical Labs Distressor (These are in almost every studio in Nashville and for good reason. They are extremely versatile and can get ugly when needed. lol) Fourth would be Forcurite Rednet (Gotta have great AD and DA, not matter what you're doing.) and lastly I'd say my trusty Avid S1. (I've use these unites since they first cam out and coming from mixing on an SSL console, the tactile control and customization has sped up my work flow so much. And after spending a number of years mixing with the mouse, it's brought some of the joys of mixing on an analog desk back.)

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

A: I studied Music Business for 3 years in Oklahoma before I moved out to Nashville in 2011. I graduated from SAE Institute in 2012 and started working at a local studio as an intern. Then I worked my way up to Assistant Engineer, Staff Engineer, then First Engineer. By this time I had already been working full time in the studio industry for about 6 years and started to work at a number of other studios around town. I eventually opened up my own home studio with a business partner of mine in 2018 that I still work out of. It's been a crazy ride over the last 14 years here in Nashville and I'm excited for what is next!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm very easy going and flexible but also an extremely hard and dedicated worker. Having spent many years as an assistant engineer here in Nashville, I learned a lot of wonderful tips from some to he greatest engineers and producers in the world and try to apply them with every project.

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

A: Tough question, there are several. One of my all time favorites would have to be Carrie Underwood. I think she has an incredible voice and her records have always been some of my favorites not only to listen to, but also to study.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I think the biggest tip I can share is that your job is to always serve the song and the artist, not the other way around.

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

A: Contemporary Christian, Country, Gospel, Pop, Jazz, Rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say my strongest skill is being able to interpret what an artist or producer is wanting and knowing how to apply to the project. Whether it be capturing a specific instrument in a certain way, or editing/mixing from a different angle than was though of.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have studied music theory and arranging in a number of different genres very heavily for over 20 years and I think it's extremely important to always a very diversified view on arrangements as well as being able to "speak" the same language as musicians and songwriters.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It honestly varies pretty drastically depending upon on the project/artist. I am a firm believer that the project and song should inform all aspects of recording and post production and not the other way around.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I am running Pro Tools HD Native with Focusrite Rednet converters. My mixing setup is based around 3 Avid S1's and I have a number of near filed monitors I have and still use at different times, but I am currently really loving the Focal Shape 65's. I also have several channels of hand picked vintage and new outboard Pre-Amps, Compressors and EQ's. In Pro Tools I have invested heavily in many different plugin manufactures from across the globe. I also have multiple rooms that can be setup for tracking and overdubbing multiple musicians at one time.

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

A: There's so many amazing people to choose from, especially here in Nashville. At the top I'd have to say are engineer/producers Dan Huff, Mark Bright, Dave Cobb in the Country Music world. I do a lot of work in Christian Music and I'd have to say Jason Ingram, Paul Maybury are excellent at what they do. I've also had the privilege of working with Bernie Herms, Robert Sterling and both are also great at what they do. Some of the mix engineer's I definitely look up to and respect greatly (Many I have worked with over the years) are F. Reid Shippen, Steve Blackmon, Bill Whittington, Vance Powell, Justin Niebank, Toby Wright, Nick Spezia, Randy Poole, and many many others.

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

A: I have done work engineering as tracking, mixing and mastering as well as serving as producer on a number of projects. I have also programmed tracks and full productions for a number of clients.