Mixing, Mastering, Drummer

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

A: I am proud of the Album "Come Awake" by Jon Buller. It hasn't been fully released as an album yet, but most of the tracks have been released to streaming as singles. (Apart from my favorite "Blessed" coming soon!) I recorded, Produced, and Mixed this record. I think Jon did a great job, the performances are authentic, the music is interesting, and the sound is engaging. I hope you take a chance to listen!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just wrapped up some mixing for Fresh IE, Grammy and Juno nominated artist out of Winnipeg Manitoba. I am revisiting some of my monitor calibration, and dialing my room in a little more. I am also rehearsing for an upcoming gig playing drums for Raquel Cole, where we will be playing with Washboard Union.

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

A: Probably! I am new to the platform.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Its not ether or, I use each where there strong. Whatever makes the sound I like, as I mentioned earlier I try to use analog workflows and approaches as much a possible because I like the art of it, and digital for all the efficiencies it offers. The sound coming out of the speakers is always Analog!

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

A: I will approach both you as a person, and your music, with a sense of your intrinsic value.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: As a mixer, becoming completely involved in the music to the point where I am completely present in the moment so that is seems like that's all there is in the world. That also the best part of being a drummer, when its just the moment, the groove, and the band.

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

A: That's hard to answer, it is so individual. It usually comes down to "how does this work?" or "how does the process work?" this is where a conversation is the best tool.

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

A: I ran into an aspiring engineer, in conversation he said to me "I'm the guy who can take all the tracks your recorded and make them sound amazing!" I think this highlights the concept that the engineer or producer is going to change the music, and make you sound better than the performance. I don't this this is even what we should try to do. My goal is to bring the best out of the artist, the instrument, the gear, so the artist can say "Wow, I did that!" Again back to my sport approach, the athletes are supported by the coach, but ultimately the athlete wins the medal.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What music do you love? What are you trying to communicate with your music?

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

A: Reach out and have a conversation. Especially in this format where you may be working remotely, its super important to connect.

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

A: Kick, Snare, Hi-hat, Floor tom, and Crash

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

A: I studied Drumming, Recording and Production out of high school and graduated in 2004. I have tried to create a parallel path of drumming and recording ever since. I think that the production side is more of a natural for me, but I have been able to have a great experience as a drummer as well. I have toured across the country and shared stages with notable artists as a player. Country, Pop, and Gospel have been my main focuses as a Player, and as a Producer/Engineer as well.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: If this is in reference to fashion I don't have one. If we're talking about music here (Obviously!) I want to be drawn in and get lost in a song. I guess that means I want to be 100% focused and present in each moment.

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

A: Steve Jordan. I love his playing and his production, I would just try to be the biggest sponge and soak in as much as I could.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen, and notice the impact of your words and actions. Remember, as a producer, its your job to enable and support the artist to do their absolute best.

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

A: I have been working with Folk and Acoustic Gospel music as of late. I do enjoy music with a wide variety of instrumentation, something interesting that draws the ear in.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Either Production or Mixing. Outside of music I Coach Alpine Ski Racing, and I am a Master Coach Developer, which means that I coach and develop coaches. This skillset is incredibly transferrable to working with musicians as a producer and helping them to get their best performances. There is just so much in common between the world of sport and that of Music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I love a big, wide, open and clean sound. I feel that the song "wants" to go somewhere, I try to feel what the song wants and enhance those elements. I want to hear the character of the instruments, and feel the emotion of the musicians.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Isn't the answer always "It Depends?" That being said with regards to a mix, I am using digital tools for perfect recall and efficiency, but I try to create an analog style workflow. I first create a balance and dial in the tones, then I begin to perform and shape the mix in a very tactical way, using faders and knobs. The more I work like I'm on a big desk, the better my focus on the sound, and not on the tools.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a custom built control room with acoustic treatment as a central design feature. The room is built with large Helmholtz absorbers to compensate for the calculated resonances. From there it is treated further to tune the room for great translatability. I am using Pro Tools with an Artist series control surface, flagship Motu DA/AD, Dynaudio and JBL monitoring. (monitoring placed using Carl Tatz Null Positioning principals, and further tuned using DRAC processing)

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

A: I have had the pleasure of working with Raquel Cole over the years, my wife and I still do the occasional gigs with her as a rhythm section. She is an incredible singer and performer, and her sense of melody is really something special. I also really enjoy Amos Lee, and the "Begin Again" record. What a spectacular Recording!

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

A: I have long worked as a small studio owner where I would bring a client all the way through the production process, from tracking, through to delivery. Tracking and Mixing are my main focuses.