Mix Production

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

A: Elton John / Melbourne Symphony Orchestra "Tour de Force" Live in Australia. It was a massive full live recording project with Gus Dudgeon producing. I was the onstage technician for the recording feeds (both 13 piece band and full orchestra) as well as one of the engineers during mixdown at Wisseloord Studios in Holland.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A major game audio production involving sound design, music mixing and coding. Single production for a Dutch singer/songwriter. Album production for a Dutch band.

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

A: I don't think I know anyone on here but I could be wrong.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both - Analogue for vocals and drums where possible and as required, digital for most other things simply for the convenience. It's not an either or debate as far as I am concerned.

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

A: Dedication and passion

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Going to work in the morning - I have my own facility here on my property in south west France and walking through the garden to the studio, knowing that there is a cool song waiting to be worked on, is the greatest of pleasures.

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

A: Can I get a discount! My answer is always........ Let's talk.

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

A: That I am a magician and that plugins fix anything!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your goal and your target market?

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

A: Let's talk!

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

A: My MacBook Pro and 1972 Fender Telecaster Custom along with a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Neumann U87 and a National Steel NRP

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

A: I started as a tape operator / assistant engineer in the early 1970's. I was fortunate enough to work with some great artists and producers and my career developed during the 1980's, working with Elton John for many years. I have been a studio manager (Sol Studios / Jimmy Page) and a tour technician (George Harrison / Jeff Beck / Eric Clapton / Elton John and others) and in recent years I have turned my attention to supporting new, independent talent.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Easy going. I like to listen to the artist and the music and get a feel for the overall production.

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

A: Travelling Wilburys simply because the artists involved - Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison are all artists I admire and Jeff Lynne as both performer and producer is a constant inspiration.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Use your ears and let the song tell you what it needs.

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

A: Mostly independent Pop / Rock artists, singer/songwriters and some of the more experimental artists.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Production and arrangement

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A lot of studio experience and maybe a bit of 'old school' intuition when it comes to production. I like to focus on the song and the artist rather than any technical trickery.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I don't think I have one! I tend to adapt to whatever the client is comfortable with.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My facility here is a simple, digital set up, designed mostly for acoustic recordings / singer songwriter clients and is based around Logic Pro X / Apple iMac M1. I use Focal Audio and Genelec monitors. The control room is the heart of the system and is aimed at mix production services.

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

A: In terms of production, Gus Dudgeon has always been an inspiration and I am proud to have worked with him on a number of album projects. George Martin, of course, and again, I had the privilege of working with him, too. Jeff Lynne is also a constant source of inspiration.

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

A: These days I am mostly asked to produce but I am also focussing on mix production at my own facility.