Mixer & Dolby Atmos Mixer

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

A: No Resolve's Unity has been an amazing project for me. I led the entire project as a producer, but I also engineered and co-wrote 99% of that record.

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

A: Dereck Blackburn. He is an all-around amazing engineer and mixer. If you don't select me for your project, I cannot suggest Dereck enough.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, because you can get the best of both worlds nowadays.

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

A: I will not stop working on a project until the client is happy. Satisfaction with the final product I provide is very important to me. I was raised to take pride in everything I do.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to work on music for a living. That's about as good as it gets. The biggest benefit is connecting with great people and helping them advance toward their dreams with more velocity.

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

A: Price is usually the biggest concern. I try not to let money stand in the way of continuing to work. At the end of the day, I believe that if someone benefits from my ability, there's a deal to be made. That deal can vary pending on the project, timeline, etc. Contact me. Let's discuss your project and work through it.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that what we do is equal to what another producer may do. I know a lot of “producers,” and none of them truly produce. Not to judge anyone, but I’ve been at this for a long time. I’ve studied, gone to school, cleaned toilets, and been mentored, which has led to my confidence in making the songs work.

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

A: I'd enjoy speaking with any client that has the goal of releasing their best work to date. I may not be right for every project, and I realize that. An email exchange is less personal than I prefer, but a video chat or meeting can tell a client and a provider a lot about what it may look like to work together. Those initial conversations are an interview of sorts. After all, music is highly personal. I want to make sure I can get along, challenge, and push the artist in a respectful, professional way. Not everyone is ready for that sort of experience.

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

A: Taylor Acoustic, Telefunken 251, Neve Shelford Channel, my laptop, and a DAW.

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

A: Since 2001. So, twenty-two years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is simply stated as quality over quantity. In a world that is chasing algorithms, I lean into fundamentals and high taste. There are no shortcuts with me. We get the writing and arranging right then move on to the recording. The same attentive detail is applied to each part of my process, and I never settle for "good enough".

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

A: I would love to work with Starset. They are amazing writers and highly creative. Working with a band of that caliber would be an amazing experience because they are ahead of their time. I believe that would allow me to push the boundaries of the sonic landscape as we know it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I've been working in the industry since 2001, first as a songwriter and artist. Secondly, as a producer/mixer. I've witnessed a lot in all those years I've been in audio, and with that comes a level of experience and taste shaped by some serious mentorship. I also work hard until I get the song right -- which includes a lot of trial and error.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My process revolves around many years of experience and learning from the best. I've been fortunate enough to witness the process of making major label projects, but I've also been an artist making that record. Through all that, I've crafted a process that works for today's industry and pushes artists to make an album they'll grow into. Is it easy? No. Is it tough at times? Yes. Will you be excited about your product and better when you leave my room? I can guarantee it.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have moved to a Dolby Atmos (7.1.4) setup that leverages Genelec speakers. My stereo setup is based on an Avid MTRX Studio. This interface allows me to quickly switch between stereo work and immersive mix work. I have a few tried and true pieces of outboard that are indispensable — notably a pair of Neve Shelford Channels, a Dramastic Obsidian, and a Bricasti M7.

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

A: A great song inspires me. No matter the genre, a great song will translate. The artists looking to break through and have a lasting career are the people I want to be in the room with.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’m sinking my teeth into an artist, See This Through. As we prepare to launch their new chapter, I have been working on a lot of remote mixing projects as well as mixing in Dolby Atmos.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I think production is all about prosody. Everything has to work together. Support the vocal, less is more. Simple ideas stacked on top of each can be massive.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: It varies, but some pillars are focusing on their needs. Where they've been, where'd they like to go, do they have a marketing plan, etc. Things that separate the serious, from the not so serious.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my willingness to persevere through any situation to make a project successful. I'm driven by ambition, and a true love for crafting great music.

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

A: Most of my work falls in the rock genre, but I am interested in working on good songs, period. Genre borders are becoming more transparent in today's market. I am excited by artists that push those boundaries. I have to say I believe I have the skill set to work with any genre/artist.