Defiyng status quo with music!

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

A: I had this artist who came one day to record one song, but we never finished it. After a year or so, I contacted her and asked her to return to the studio with me so we can complete this 1 song. She accepted. By the end of this process we both decided to go on a journey to create 7 more songs for which it took a solid year to complete. I was wearing many hats in this project, producer, composer, recording & mixing engineer, coach friend...That year was a very tough year for her on a personal level and we managed to complete the whole project, her first album. We never gave up, we were invested and dedicated but above all caring and listening to each other and we achieved the goals we set ourselves. I'm particularly proud of this project because she discovered her true nature and self trough out the process and it gave her hope, purpose and self fulfillment.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My next solo album.

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

A: No yet, I'm new here!

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

A: We will learn a lot and grow through the process, and it's going to lead us to satisfaction.

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

A: That it's easy! But it's a real job, requiring knowledge and skills based on serving someone's feelings in a competitive realm.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What does it make you feel? Why do you need my help? When do you need it? Where is it going? Who is it for?

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

A: I've been making beats and instrumental for the pas 20 years. I always been an artist with a strong interest in the technical side of music making. Graduated from an audio school in Montreal where I learnt the fundamentals of audio productions, recording techniques, became an instructor and teacher at that same school. I did live gigs, but prefers the studio, rent and sale pro audio equipments in the best shop in Canada, make my own music...

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Kick heavy, bass heavy, stimulating stereo with with mono optimisation

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

A: Every artists who's ready to risk and try alternative ways!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: 1- Beats & instrumentals: I create beats or whole instrumentals from scratch or from the artist's vision and cues. I focus on the musicianship quality when it come to compose and record music. I don't use preexisting samples or loops, I create my own sounds and samples using a series of recording and sound design techniques . 2- Production I always clean and edit the audio files provided when necessary. I use Melodyne, Izotope to acheive this task and then I import the audio file into my mixing template, import the rough mix when available and reference songs provided by the artist. Then I mix and send it to my client for evaluation. I do revision and once satisfied, I send the mixes to my trusty, sate of art mastering studio Le Lab Mastering in Montreal.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: In the box baby! Fabfilters, Izotope suite, Waves, Softube, Plugin Alliance..., Lynx Hilo, Neumann KH-310, and Logic X. I also have my trusty vintage Roland SH-101 and my Moog Minitaur, acoustic guitar, harmonica for instruments. I use Komplete, UVI, Akai MPC, Izotpe and Logic X VST plugins. When recording, If need specific room acoustics and gear, state of the art studios, remote locations and rentals are used.

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

A: I create the music instrumentals with or with out top line, adapt and adjust the music to the text/vocal performance. Then I engineer the recording sessions, the editing, I mix the songs and send them to mastering. I believe that a new pair of ears for the project is essential, that why I don't execute the mastering when involved in the producrtion or mixing. I engineer the recording sessions I prepare all the technical elements for the day and perform all the tasks necessary to achieve the sound quality and texture sought after. IT's all about the good vibe!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The connection with people and to have access to the artist world and vision and contributing to it.

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

A: KU5A, SH-101, Computer, Lynx Hilo, 1073 DPA

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! Because I'm interested in the best of everything!

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

A: Good clear communication is key!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try all new ideas before saying no!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Making things sound clean.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring world class AD/DA converion, musicianship, passion, clairity and respect to the creation. I also bring options and solutions.

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

A: Al Schmitt, Dave Aron, Quincy Jones, Dr Dre, Butch Vig, Dj Quick, Bruce Swedien, Derek Ali, Bernard "Focus" Edwards, Jr.

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

A: Pop-rock, hiphop, Triphop, pop