Remote Mixing Engineer

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

A: My last project, released on all streaming platforms, was a client's Debut Album. Our team produced, mixed and mastered the project from' farm to table.' This allowed us to have many dialogs to ensure the outcome matched their vision. The artist grew with the album and learned a lot about the process of producing an album with intention and purpose, leaving no detail off the table. These days processes have become like supermarket food removing the relationships and human interaction that, in my opinion, made some of our favourite albums possible. We don't lay out a series of premade beats for artists to choose from; we produce new material based on the client's needs. This approach allows for an entirely new experience for most, leaving them beyond grateful for the services we are proud to offer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am producing, mixing, and mastering an album for a hip-hop artist.

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

A: Unfortunately, not. I am new to the platform and found my way here through research rather than a recommendation.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: This really gets down to a client-by-client basis for me. Although I primarily work in the box, there are some cases where I do use outboard gear to achieve a certain vibe. I've provided clients with masters using analog equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars through high-quality converters, and they've preferred the in-the-box version. I work with the client to reach their sonic goals.

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

A: My promise to my clients is that I am their number one supporter. I want to assist them in making their work the best it can be so they can be confident in sharing the hard work with the masses. This is a competitive, ever-changing industry, and having people you can trust in your corner is an invaluable asset.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I enjoy the process. Working with clients, hearing their stories, concepts, and ideas, and bringing them to life at the end is rewarding. I learn so much even during revisions that help me better prepare for the next client.

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

A: Clients tend to ask me about my personal opinion about their work. Although my response usually leans more towards the technical side, I speak to the project's potential and strong points. How we can remedy areas of concern and what commercial releases the record reminds me of lending to my comprehension of the task yet my objectivity to complete the project regardless of personal opinion.

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

A: Magic. When mixing for a client, we can only take the source material so far. We like to listen to the source material before starting a project to discuss realistic outcomes with the client to manage expectations.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your project goals? Where are you in your career? Who are your influences? What inspired this project?

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

A: Don't be afraid to reach out if exactly what your looking to accomplish isn't spelled out in the services section. Each project is unique, and our underlying goal is to meet you where you are to assist you in accomplishing your goal.

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

A: I'd bring my MPK 61, a pair of planar magnetic headphones/monitors, my desktop, a condenser, and a field recorder.

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

A: Professionally, I am a marketer/strategist and graphic designer. I chose my profession based on my needs as an artist and entrepreneur. Throughout my 15 years working in music production, I've amassed these skills to provide the same quality of service for my clients as I do myself.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'd describe my mixing style as upfront and modern. It can also be experimental if the client is up for a more unique approach.

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

A: I'd like to work with artists who produce their own music, like self-produced rappers, singers, and bands. They usually have a strong sense of what they'd like to accomplish and often don't know how to make it translate. I enjoy being able to problem-solve for clients, allowing them the confidence to focus on what matters.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When producing a record, try not to mix as you produce; this will force you to make better instrumentation decisions that will benefit the overall cohesive nature of the record.

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

A: Most of our clients make Hip-Hop and R&B. We also get electronic projects, though less frequently.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Our most vital skill is translation. Turning clients' desires for their work into satisfying results.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: We bring over 15 plus years of active music production experience, cross-genre with experience working with many clients in different environments. In addition, our personal experiences as artists lend to our ability to understand what our clients are trying to achieve, especially in hard-to-articulate areas.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: We like to get as much information about the project inspiration, end goals, thoughts, and concerns from the client to achieve the best possible outcome. After gaining those details, we produce the material, be that a mix, master, or production, for our client to review, and we work from their feedback. Our process includes two revisions with the list price.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: We work primarily in the box with industry-leading plugins; however, we can implement hardware elements upon request.

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

A: We draw inspiration from many professionals in the community. From mastering engineers like Howie Weinberg, whose early work helped define the early Hip-Hop sound we've come to know and love. To the innovative work that Mike Dean and Luca Pretolessi do through client's work and the space at large creating plugins and tools with industry-leading software companies.

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

A: The most common type of work we complete for clients is what we like to call 'farm to table.' We produce the material, the client records at the studio of their choice, and we receive the tracks mix and master the project for the required output format, most commonly but not limited to streaming.