Producer, Composer, Musician

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I'm working with a Mac Studio M1 (48-core, 128 GB) with Apple Logic. I've been working with Apple Logic since the days before it was acquired by Apple, when it was called Creator. I have a bunch of vintage outboard gear e.g. Urei 1178 compressor, TubeTech EQ's and pre-amps, that has accumulated over the years, but for a decade now I'm using almost exclusively Waves, Izotope and other high quality plugins to accomplish my musical/mix ideas, simply because it is more convenient, and the quality in comparison with the hardware tools, is almost indistinguishable.

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

A: I was proud of writing and arranging a song for Chaka Khan which became a #1 Billboard charts song. I always loved her as an artist and when my publisher told me that I have the opportunity to write for her I was thrilled. And then she even took the song and made it popular. That was a big deal for an unknown songwriter from Germany.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on my own project, writing/producing CCM songs, looking for different singers/artist to finish the project. Kind of like an "all star" project with unknown artists.

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

A: Not yet

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I grew up in analog days and worked with analog equipment. But when the digital age started and I first got my hands on DAW's I gave up Analog for mere convenience. Analog sound is great, but in this day and age it is only "a style".

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

A: That they will be satisfied.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I need to be creative like I need the air to breathe. I'm very thankful, that I can do what I love to do for so many years.

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

A: Interestingly, when the recording session is over most customers (singers/artists) ask me: "Can you burn me a CD?", and I answer: "Certainly, but why don't you want an mp3 sent to your email or download a wav file from my cloud?

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

A: I think one of the misconceptions is the idea that people like me are somewhat special based on their portfolio. When it comes to composing a song I always say that everyone cooks with water. Talent is a great start, but it needs additional elements, that can simply be learned in order to evolve and have the chance to succeed in the music world. The same goes for singers. Everyone begins to run from the same starting line.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: First, what is the musical goal for your song. Second, where do you see it in this vast music industry.

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

A: Be specific about what your dream, idea is for your song. Bring examples, songs you love. Let's brainstorm together.

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

A: A piano, an acoustic guitar, a multi-track recorder, a microphone, my original Yamaha NS-10M

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

A: I started professionally in the early 80s. Produced my first record when I was 17. I was lucky to play in an European band that for some reason became successful, which led to contacts in the industry that led me to write songs for other artists, which in return led to several hits world wide and established a good portfolio. Of course success always levels out somewhere, and you have to redefine yourself, since especially music (in particular production) never stays the same. I'm always trying to understand the meaning of current music, and not stick to what I might consider has been good back in the day. That way I stay current as well.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm versatile. I see myself as a musical chameleon that understands and loves every color it is able to create.

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

A: I would like to work with Nora Jones or Natalie Grant or artists in general that express an authentic, emotional depth.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't get lost in the details. Always have your overall musical picture in mind. Listen to references, other productions you like. Take a 10 minute break often.

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

A: In the last few years I mostly worked on pop, CCM, and cinematic music.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Composing and producing. I am also a skilled multi instrumentalist.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my intuition, expertise and wisdom that I could gather in the 40 years of being in this profession and business.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When I compose a song I usually have a determined idea about what I want to achieve. The outcome of this idea depends on whether I compose the song on a guitar or a piano. When I mix a song I usually want to get to know the song first. I usually listen to a rough quick mix to decide which direction the song wants to go.

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

A: I'm a huge fan of David Foster, but I'm also inspired by Tomi Malm, Toby Mac, Jay Graydon, Kirk Franklin and many more.

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

A: I mostly produce and compose for my clients