EDM Topliner for Hire

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because it allows me to do my work anywhere, without having to carry so much equipment with me.

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

A: That I will deliver a product that is best aligned to their desires and parameters.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I enjoy the creativity and the space to enhance the feelings people want to express. Music is a story telling tool that can really hit people differently. I enjoy portraying those emotions and messages to the audience through my work.

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

A: Loud does not equal bad mix. Loudness is a subjective perspective that everyone has.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is their vision for their song? What is the message behind the song? Do they have any references regarding their song that I can compare to? What is the feeling they are trying to convey?

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

A: My computer, a Pioneer XDJ-XZ, a C414 microphone, an Apollo Twin MKII, and a Bose Revolver Speaker

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

A: Over the past decade, I have dedicated myself to the pursuit of music, continuously refining my craft, expanding my expertise, and immersing myself in the industry. Through this journey, I have garnered invaluable experience, imbibed various influences, and witnessed tremendous personal growth. My deep involvement in the music industry has provided me with the opportunity to cultivate my style and skills in crucial areas such as mixing, mastering, and music production. Collaboration has been an integral part of my artistic development, allowing me to work alongside exceptionally talented artists such as Zyranox and Yorghaki. Moreover, I have been fortunate to forge partnerships with esteemed record labels including Future House Records, Melodicity Records, and many others. These collaborations have not only elevated my work but have also broadened my creative horizons. To further augment my knowledge and expertise, I pursued formal education at prestigious institutions such as Berklee College of Music and Full Sail University. These immersive learning experiences provided me with a solid foundation and an expanded understanding of my field, allowing me to continually push the boundaries of my artistic capabilities. Overall, my journey spanning a decade has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, a dedication to constant growth, and a passion for collaboration. Through my continuous learning, professional affiliations, and musical endeavors, I am committed to delivering exceptional work and making a lasting impact in the world of music.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My artistic style is characterized by a harmonious fusion of diverse cultural influences, reflecting my rich experiences in the Middle East, Latin America, India, and Japan. This cultural tapestry has played a significant role in shaping my creative expression. Additionally, I have honed my skills and expanded my repertoire by drawing inspiration from accomplished artists such as Julian Jordan, Mike Williams, Mesto, Jonas Aden, and Malaa. By incorporating their techniques and distinctive features into my own work, I have been able to enhance and refine my unique artistic style.

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

A: I would like to work with Julian Jordan and Mike Williams, because they are a huge inspiration to my creation process.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always trust your gut. If it sounds good, don't touch it.

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

A: I usually work on Electronic music, Electro pop, Classical music, Cinematic music, video game music, and sound design.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Creativity is the lifeblood of my work. I possess a natural ability to envision and conceptualize innovative ideas that elevate the sonic experience of a song. Whether it's exploring unique soundscapes, crafting captivating arrangements, or infusing inventive sonic elements, my creative approach adds a distinctive and engaging touch to every project I undertake. However, creativity alone is not enough. Attention to detail is paramount in ensuring a polished and professional outcome. I possess an unwavering commitment to precision, meticulously scrutinizing every aspect of a production to achieve sonic excellence. From intricate sound design and precise automation to surgical EQ and delicate dynamic shaping, I consistently strive for perfection, leaving no sonic element overlooked. The synergy between creativity and attention to detail is where my strongest skill truly shines. It allows me to harmonize the artistic vision with technical expertise, resulting in a cohesive and impactful musical experience. I am adept at capturing the essence and emotion of a song and translating it into a finely crafted sonic masterpiece that resonates with both the artist's intent and the listener's sensibilities.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: In my role as a music producer, mixer, and mastering engineer, I bring a unique perspective and set of skills that I believe significantly enhance the songs I work on. Drawing from the diverse cultures I've had the privilege of experiencing, I incorporate elements and influences from various musical traditions into my production process. By infusing different cultural flavors into the music, I add a distinct richness and depth that can create a captivating sonic experience. Whether it's incorporating unique instrumentation, rhythmic patterns, melodic motifs, or harmonic structures, I strive to bring a fusion of cultural elements that resonate with the intended message and emotional essence of the song. Furthermore, my approach to production, mixing, and mastering goes beyond the technical aspects. I deeply value the meaning and intention behind a song. I take the time to understand the essence and message that the artist wants to convey. By diving into the core of the composition, I can extract the emotional depth and enhance it through my methods. During the production phase, I carefully select and shape the sounds, textures, and arrangements to align with the song's intended meaning. This involves choosing instrumentation, layering elements, and creating dynamics that amplify the song's emotional impact. When it comes to mixing, I focus not only on achieving clarity and balance but also on enhancing the song's narrative. I use various mixing techniques to create a sense of space, depth, and dimension, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the story the song tells. Finally, in the mastering stage, I utilize my understanding of the song's meaning to ensure that the final version captures the intended emotions and message. I apply precise adjustments in tonal balance, dynamic range, and overall loudness, always keeping the song's essence at the forefront. Overall, my approach combines the cultural influences I've absorbed along with a deep appreciation for the meaning and intention behind the music. By integrating these elements into my production, mixing, and mastering methods, I believe I bring a unique and enriching perspective that enhances the songs I work on, amplifying their emotional impact and connecting with listeners on a profound level.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Pre-Production Phase: - Communicate with the client: Understand their artistic vision, requirements, and expectations for the project. - Gather project materials: Obtain the raw audio files, session data, reference tracks, and any additional project-specific materials. - Organize and prepare the session: Set up your digital audio workstation (DAW) with proper track labeling, routing, and project settings. - Review and analyze the material: Listen to the raw tracks, identify any issues or areas for improvement, and plan the overall sonic direction. Mixing Phase: - Balance and level setting: Adjust the volume levels of individual tracks to achieve a balanced mix, ensuring that each element sits well in the sonic landscape. - EQ (Equalization): Use EQ to shape the tonal balance of each track, removing unwanted frequencies and enhancing desired ones. - Dynamics processing: Apply compression, expansion, and other dynamics processors to control the dynamic range and shape the transient response of individual tracks. - Spatial processing: Utilize reverb, delay, panning, and other spatial effects to create a sense of depth, width, and three-dimensionality in the mix. - Automation: Implement volume, panning, and effect automation to add movement, dynamics, and creative expression to the mix. - Referencing: Regularly compare the mix to reference tracks and the client's vision to ensure it aligns with the desired outcome. Client Feedback and Revisions: - Present the initial mix to the client for feedback and review. - Actively listen and understand the client's feedback, addressing their concerns and making necessary adjustments to meet their expectations. - Collaborate and communicate effectively with the client to achieve the desired sonic vision. - Iterate the mixing process based on client feedback until the mix is approved. Mastering Phase: - Audio enhancement: Use equalization, compression, stereo imaging, and harmonic processing to improve the overall sonic balance, clarity, and loudness of the mix. - Sequencing: Arrange the songs in the desired order and ensure smooth transitions between tracks. - Consistency: Ensure consistent loudness levels and tonal balance across the entire project. - Format and delivery: Prepare the final mastered tracks in appropriate file formats for delivery, such as WAV or DDP for CD replication. Quality control: - Perform thorough quality checks to verify the accuracy, technical integrity, and compatibility of the mastered audio. Final Client Approval and Delivery: - Present the mastered tracks to the client for final approval. - Address any last-minute revisions or adjustments requested by the client. - Deliver the final mastered tracks to the client in the agreed-upon format and method, such as through file transfer or physical media. - Maintain professional communication and follow-up with the client to ensure their satisfaction and address any post-delivery inquiries or concerns.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup consists of several studio monitors like: The KRK, Yamaha HS7, and Mackie MR6 Mk III. I also use the Audio-technica ATH-M20X, and I have access to car speakers where I can monitor the mixes and masters in many different environments. I use many different software plugins from Izotope, Waves, SoundToys, Slate Digital, Cymatics, and cable guys. I have access to several studio hardware, such as the WA2A compressor and the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4.

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

A: A lot of the inspiration comes from Hans Zimmer, Ludwig Göransson, Julian Jordan, Mesto, Mike Williams, Nathan Barr, Nathan Matthew David, James Hype, and Quincy Jones.

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

A: My most common type of work is mixing and mastering. I enjoy producing music for other people as well whether its film compositions or music for video games since they're also a passion of mine