Mixer&Producer: Pop/Urban/Rock

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

A: I recently completed an album with Fake Laugh. Perhaps most proudly, we achieved prime time BBC Radio1 support from Annie Mac, just before she left the station. The track 'So Good' is featured at the top of my profile.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on production music albums for BMG, Ninja Tune and EMI.

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

A: Don't be afraid to ask me anything at all! If I can't make it work I will definitely tell you, I'll do my upmost to help you out.

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

A: Starting off as an underground UK club scene DJ in London, I now lead a largely production oriented life using that experience as a foundation within the styles mentioned above. I've been doing this for just under a decade.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Trust your ears not your eyes!

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

A: I usually work within the modern pop/rock, electronic, urban, rnb and alternative versions of these frameworks.

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

A: Ben Davies Music

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! Because both offer different vibes and its forward thinking to mix the two!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Cheesey - but an extreme passion for the process and the creation of music. So regardless of style I'll be excited to help and this manifests as a sincere commitment to helping create the best result I can. I've dedicated my life to getting better and better at the creation of music so I rarely feel stuck or stumbled. I'd like to think I'm quite creative so you will end up with an exciting, dramatic and emotive piece of music.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Firstly a friendly chat with the client to establish the goal and the desired outcome and expectations. I usually ask for a reference track from an artist they admire and would like to emulate so we have a good place to aim for. If I am producing, I normally start with drum programming as I find working around an existing groove really inspires everything else. I then start to think about chords progressions with my guitar or a keyboard based instrument from my software library or ways of spicing up the existent chord patterns with new sounds or processing. I then build up from there thinking maximally and structurally, finishing with a good mix.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a home studio which has been nicely acoustically treated ensuring quality audio playback and recording capabilities. I own a dual monitor set-up including KRK VXT6's and Avantone Mixcubes to reference the mix in multiple ways. I run the newest Macbook Pro M1 and 32gb of ram. I use both Ableton and Logic X, running industry standard plugins: Soundtoys, Fab Filter, Waves & Universal Audio. I have a full size keyboard, A Korg MS20, an old beat up Casio Toneback CT-670 which I use for retro flavours. I also have a Marshall 50watt tube amplifier for re-amping guitars as well as drums and synths! I own a bass guitar, a lovely Guild acoustic, an Ibanez electric and a collection of pedals. I play guitar well and I am well equipped to add this to the equation!

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

A: Producers such as Mark Ronson, Jimmy Napes, Max Martin, Quincy Jones.

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

A: One of three things: 1. Mixing a pre-existent and finished song, elevating it to that next level of professionalism. 2. Helping to produce further a finished song; giving it a new lease of life, a modern touch, an elevation using different sounds instruments and samples to fill out a weaker sounding production. 3. Thirdly, writing composing and producing entire instrumentals as well as topline melodies.