Mixing Engineer

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

A: probably a song I co wrote with Stevie Nicks and Jeff Piergeorge. It is unreleased but it is supposed to go to benefit cancer research if we ever release it.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm always working on my own stuff. i break for clients.

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

A: I've worked with allot of singers on soundbetter. i girls named Mickey is awesome!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. Because it sounds better and it's easier.

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

A: to get it like you want it.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I just love to mix. I have no idea why. i always have.

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

A: Can I have it tomorrow. haha I tell them no most of the time. But sometimes yes.

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

A: That its magic. It;s not. it a skill that takes time to aquire.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I ask them what everybody wants and for a song reference.

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

A: Make sure you tell me what everybody in your organization wants BEFORE I start. I dont like it when they let their engineer busy listen and he says this is wrong and that is wrong. Let me know upfront what is needed.

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

A: My converter, my custom built monster computer with all my plugins and a pair of Slate VSX headphones. I could mix a record with that.

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

A: My first mixing session was 42 years ago mixing gingles. I went to Hollywood with my college friend in 1988 and we recorded on the worlds second largest digital recording system called synclavier. I've been recording in the digital box longer than just about any mixing engineer alive.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like loud and proud but not if the music doesn't call for it.

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

A: I've worked with so many. It does not matter to me. Honestly, I prefer lesser known artist. Less ego.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen carefully!

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

A: pop, rock and cinematic.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to the details.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring to a song whatever the client wants. But of course, I make recommendations.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Of course I listen to the song or music needed to be mixed. Then I get an idea of what everyone is looking for before I do anything. Then I make them happy. I start with what ever past of the music that makes sense to start with first. That varies from piece to piece.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I built my own RFZ control room in my house. It is comfortable for me. I se mostly Slate Digital plugins, but I have hundreds. The most important part is the conversion. I use Black Lion D to A converters. It is one box dedicated to high amp conversion. It puts out so much power you can practically fry and egg on it.

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

A: I;ve worked with so many top engineers in Hollywood. They all inspired me with their approach and knowledge.

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

A: The most common work I do is writing production and mixing and mastering.