EDM Mixing/Mastering Engineer

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

A: Backroom Records! We started the label from scratch, and it's really starting to come together. I did a little bit of everything, but main roles were mixing/mastering engineer, A&R with artists we're signing, and website building / backend organization. It showed me that I'm capable once I put my mind to it, and has caused me to become more driven and patient with my line of work.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Figuring out how to launch my album, getting remixes out there into the world, and being more present on social media.

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

A: Reverend Haus is the one who got me on this platform, so huge thank you to him! He's an incredible singer and songwriter, and I'm proud to have gotten to mix some of his tracks.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I think emulators have improved a lot since a few years ago, but owning analog equipment is pretty essential too. I'd love to upgrade and get some analog stuff once my setup is more settled and finalized.

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

A: I promise it'll slap (like really really hard).

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love getting to spend time listening to other people's tracks, balancing and mixing them, and hearing them hit the streaming services. It's really about the process of getting the song there, as well as the experience of working with so many different creatives in a huge space.

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

A: I get asked about rates and turnaround times. Check out my listing description, as well as my portfolio of past mixes I've done (just ask me!!)

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

A: I've seen a lot of people downplay the importance of mixing. Sure, you can have an incredible track with just songwriting alone... but a proper mix and master will really help you hit that next level and make it a lifelong song that people will remember.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What kind of song do you want this to be, and what is your creative intent? What setting is your song going to be played the most, and how important is that to you? Who are you biggest inspirations, and who do you draw inspiration from musically?

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

A: Ask me a ton of questions, and get to know me a bit as well. It really helps with the chemistry when we work on your tracks, and gives me more insight into what you're trying to accomplish with your songwriting and storytelling.

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

A: Solar panel with an outlet, PC, Keyboard, Headphones, and an internet satellite connection.

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

A: It's been 8 years so far, and it's been a tough one. First few years were quite on and off, but I got the ball rolling once I got a little more serious about my work. I'm proud to see how far my mixing has come, but it's still got plenty of room for improvement (the sky is the limit.. right?)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Eclectic. I pull from a ton of different genres, and it helps make me a well-rounded mixing/mastering engineer. I've gotten the opportunity to work on a variety of styles, which really shows in my own productions and inspirations.

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

A: Oh man, literally any of the ones I listed above as my inspirations. It'd be an honor, and I strive to hit that goal eventually with each track I produce.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Get your sidechains right, and you'll be able to free up crazy amounts of space. Also, check your glue compressor settings on your busses and masters (this messed up my mixing for a long time). Attack times and release times are the heart of compression, and can easily make or break a mixdown/master.

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

A: Electronic of any genre, but primarily Bass House, Trap, Future Bass, Dubstep, Speed House, Tech House, Leftfield Bass, and experimental genres like Hyperpop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Figuring out what needs to be kept, and what needs to be taken out. Definitely my strongest suit, as well as being a maximalist and mixing in a ton of elements when space is limited.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Gritty and punchy dynamics. I primarily work towards cleaning up projects, helping the core elements shine through, and making sure that the final track conveys it's message as intended. Not ever mixdown needs to be squeaky clean, it all depends on the song and the original artist's intent.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the type of work, but I try to work effectively, efficiently, and move through the big picture first. Once I have the levels and basic eq/compression out of the way, I focus in on panning, spacing things out, gluing things together, and extra effects to make sounds pop when necessary. Lastly, I go and level the overall track, sections, and apply my final mastering compression/eq/glue/saturation/fx and what's necessary to get that final loudness and dynamic range.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Yamaha HS7 Monitors x2, HS8S Sub, M-Audio 192|14 Interface, AT2020 Microphone, AKG K712 Pro Headphones, Roland A800 Midi Keyboard, NZXT Ryzen 1800x + MSI 3080 Gaming X Trio + 32GB DDR4 RAM + 3TB NVME + 8TB HDD.

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

A: Porter Robinson, Madeon, Blanke, Knock2, ISOxo, Joyryde, ALRT, Kage, Skrillex, phritz, six impala, Brakence

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

A: Mixing and Mastering, as well as original production for Youtube/Twitch channels. Also do in-depth feedback sessions and lessons for production students looking to get more serious about their craft.