Produce, Mix, & Master

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

A: Anything with real instruments. Mainly rock oriented stuff and all the sub-genres around from there... (Modern, Metal, Hip-Hop, Ska, Country, Punk, Pop, Funk, Jazz, Acoustic, etc.)

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog sounds great but is expensive, noisy, sync issues, time consuming, and deteriorates. Digital is faster, cheaper, convenient, and because of great modeling and extensive knowledge can make it sound and behave like analog.

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

A: Your vision, your sound, know what that is will help it get there faster. I say this because their are a lot of bands who say they just want me to mix how I think it should be mixed and they're not picky. Then I send them the tracks and I get emails asking why it does't sound like their favorite band. They never told me their favorite band.

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

A: One plug-in will fix every mistake made. Or... small line6 amps will sound like my favorite bands amp stack.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the story or emotion you want to convey with this song? Then I ask about their influences and what sound they're going for sonically?

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

A: I started playing in bands on a local level then worked my way up to touring nationally. I always loved being in the studio though, started to apprentice at a studio, later went to Audio Engineering school, then moved to Las Vegas and got the job as the Head Engineer at Lucid Studios. Then moved to Austin to start Birds Eye Media and have been able to expand to the Denver & Orlando areas.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I care more about what the Artist/Band is seeking & envisioning, than my own sound.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a dedicated control & live room that has been acoustically designed. I record, edit, & mix in Pro Tools and Master in WaveLab. I have Black Lion Audio Converters, Various PreAmps & Microphones. I also have everything to ReAmp guitars & bass and all the other various essentials to make hit records. I've seen many sides of the music business and play drums, guitar, bass, and have been in many bands over the years from all angles so I can put on many hats as a musician and help provide the sound each member is seeking.

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

A: Trystin Elizabeth is a songwriter who came to me with just a couple songs on an acoustic guitar. I was able to rework them with her, play all the instruments, produce her vocals, mix and release it. It was a fun project and I was able to use a wide array of techniques.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I have a band I'm mixing from the UK, a new artist debut record, another bands sophomore album, and scoring an Indie-Film.

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

A: Make sure you get it as close to perfect as you can because once it's out there, it's forever. Be diligent with tuning after every take, put new drum heads & strings on (yes even bass) and warmup in all aspects.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The biggest issue I see is recording too hot and not leaving enough head room. I prefer -18db RMS and if you don't know what that is don't let the peak get past -5db. I'm also an open book so feel free to ask me anything and/or go get my book on amazon "Think Analog Work Digital - Tracking & Recording" It's often free or at least cheap. It's more of a reference than theory.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I never know what is going to come through my door. Some good & some really bad, but fun no matter what.

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

A: Not yet, but I'm anxious to get to know the community.

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

A: Q: When will it be done? A: The sooner I can get my hands on it the better.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Quick workflow so I don't run into diminishing returns. Plus automation to make every element flow and not just be static & stationary.

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

A: Producing newly signed artists to help them find their sound. Remote mixing for others is a close 2nd.

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

A: Laptop (providing there's power there), SM57, 002R BLA-Mod, my PRS Guitar, & my SJC Drums.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Clear, full, and jammin'

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

A: At The Drive In because they push the limits of recording and try just about anything.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Mixing: I clean up the tracks (stick click, coughing, noise), I take care of any other the extra stuff a client might want (pocketing drums, tuning vocals & bass, ReAmping), and then I start to mix. I get a rough balance, I start to focus on the overall groove & feel of the song and make everything as full, natural, & punchy as the song seems fit.

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

A: I have an eclectic taste in music. I like Rick Rubin, Josh Abraham, and Flood as producers. I like Ryan Williams, Chris Lord-Alge, and Joe Barresi as engineers. And I like pretty much any style of music that has energy flowing.