Production and Mixing

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

A: I loved how my mix of Envy by ALL I SEEK came out. You can check that out in the audio portfolio player in the top right of this page. I love how massive and polished it sounds, yet is still raw and brutal.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mixes for a metalcore band. I'm loving how're they're coming together.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I love the tactility and workflow of tracking through outboard analog gear, not to mention the warmth and saturation it imparts. In the mix, you just can't beat the workflow and recall of digital when processing individual tracks, but I still sum my mixes through analog EQ and compression just to give that extra juicy vibe, and final few percent.

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

A: I promise to give your project the same high level of attention and commitment that I give to every project. I will always work my hardest and give my best to all my clients.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to make music with cool people, every day. It's an absolute dream. What's not to love?

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

A: Q. What's your turnaround time? A. 3 - 5 working days (more for larger projects!). Q. Are you based in NZ or London? A. Both! I have a studio in NZ, and commute to the UK for work when necessary. Q. Is New Zealand in London? A. No, it's actually in Australia, and we've only just received internet connection.

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

A: People assume mixing is purely technical. That's not the case at all - it's incredibly creative, musical, and intuitive.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are you trying to achieve through this project? What are you musical references?

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

A: Listen to their work, check out some reviews, listen to their work, establish a rapport, and then listen to their work some more. I hire people all the time across all areas of the industry, and this is what's most important to me. Oh, and listen to their work.

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

A: My Sennheiser HD650 headphones, my computer (Assuming I have all my software/plugins!), my Fender P Bass, an AKG C414, and most importantly my iLok!! Naturally, I'd forget all cables so my high end computer would become a glorified drum.

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

A: I have been working professionally in the music industry since 2009, and working as a 'career' producer since 2015. I have also worked extensively as a session guitarist.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is to make full, fat recordings. I love big bass, a crystal clear top end, and a very detailed and colourful midrange. I aim to achieve a perfect balance between all these elements, to give that 'polished' sound.

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

A: Frank Turner. For the refreshingly raw punk rock ethos, wrapped up in a commercial, radio ready package. How fun would that be??

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: It goes without saying: A good mix starts with a good arrangement! But everyone knows that, so here's one for the nerds: To achieve a massive, loud sound, embrace saturation as a mixing tool. Saturation doesn't simply turn your transients down in the same way a compressor does - instead it changes the dynamics by spreading the frequency information out across the audio spectrum, retaining the perceived dynamic, colour and impact when used appropriately. Multiband saturation can be a beautiful substitute for EQ.

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

A: Anything under the broader 'rock' umbrella. Rock, Pop, Punk, Metal, Indie, Folk etc. Anything that strongly features recorded instruments is where I like to live.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Read my reviews if you'd like the most honest answers! In my own biased opinion, it's my ability to see the big picture from the beginning, and keep all my technical and creative decisions in line with the artist's vision/goals.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A blend of technical expertise, musicality, and objectivity. I also bring total commitment and enthusiasm to every project I work on.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: A good working relationship always starts with a good chat so I can understand your specific musical direction and situation. I want to know exactly what you need from this project, both short term and long term goals. I also want to have a great relationship with my clients, so that we can all have a great time doing while being creatives! In my opinion, mixing must be approached from both musical and technical perspectives if sonic perfection is to be achieved. The range of possibilities of where a sound can go is vast, so a mixer must first use their musicality and instincts to judge what the artist’s creative intention is for each layer, and then their ears and technical skills to take the sound to exactly where it needs to be. I find mixing the most enjoyable when I let a song ‘mix itself’. I listen to the raw tracks, and imagine them as if they were a final master. Each element of the mix should have a clear purpose to me, so I mix each layer to where it cries out to be, rather than forcing it to be something it isn’t. Songs tend together much more seamlessly this way, and I find they give me an instinctive notion of whether or not a snare needs more transient, a guitar needs more sizzle, or that lead vocal needs 1db more reverb on that last note of the prechorus etc. Of course, if an artist has a different idea on what an element should be then I embrace this and reimagine the song with the new perspective, until the artist is 100% happy.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in a custom built recording and mixing studio, designed in collaboration with Jesco Lohan from Acoustics Insider. The goal of the build was to create an inspiring, sonically perfect listening enrivonment without any compromises made on workflow. The result is an exceptionally flat frequency response across the entire spectrum allowing music to be listened to with pristine precision, and musical decisions to be made with total confidence. Fitted with world class equipment, working in the studio feels effortless and inspires creativity.

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

A: The list is massive. My current audio crushes are Eric Valentine, Nolly, and Simon Grove.

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

A: About 70% of my work is mixing, and the other 30% is recording and producing clients here in my studio in New Zealand.