Recording/Mixing Engineer

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

A: I would recommend Red Yeti Audio

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

A: I am especially proud of the Remixes I'm currently finishing, because the arrangement was pretty wild and explorative, but it still lands in a catchy, palatable way. I want to push the sonic colors in a song into unexpected places, and this was a fulfilling attempt at that.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I use a variety of outboard analog gear and a variety of plugins in the digital domain that do a great job of modeling the analog sound. The combination of my outboard gear running into my interface allows me to combine a layer of great analog processing with additional processing power from the digital domain all in real time tracking, with indiscernible latency, all resulting in a more inspiring tracking environment.

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

A: sculpt your vision as much on the front end as you can, and compile your ideas with garageband or something similar. This will us get off the ground and running more quickly. Spend quality time thinking about artist references and mix references at the beginning of your project so you know what your aiming for. Keep in mind, by the time an album is done, you've typically grown so much that you see a new horizon and a new sound. That is ok. It's all process!

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

A: Chris Tabron, Ryan Lott(Son Lux), Death Cab for Cutie, Ryan O'Neal (Sleeping At Last)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My ear tends to gravitate toward mysterious and dreamy sounds. After working alongside other indie producers, I've noticed that my production style is to go on a surprising journey, more so than emotive storytelling. I want the composition to fascinate me just as much as the good songwriting that should be embedded within it. I enjoy incorporating organic instruments alongside electronic and synth elements to create interesting contrasts.

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

A: A classical guitar into an octave pedal. A suremv88 to capture fun sounds that i find. My voice. A good chair of course.

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

A: I began producing for local friends in 2014 and since then have worked on projects from all over the US. Around 7 years working with clients.

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

A: Son Lux. They are constantly blurring the line between sound design and musical genius.

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

A: Indie, folk/ americana, singer/songwriter

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Always learning. Naturally move outside of normal musical confines, so I don't struggle with bringing in a new perspective.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have always been drawn to sounds that have somewhat of an mysterious, enchanting quality to them. Sometimes, when I'm asked to really help build out an arrangement, some of this works its way in, but it very much depends on what is being asked of me. Sometimes i need to stay out of the way, and just help the artist color their song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I work with various kinds of artists, so sometimes one process is more benefiting than another. But in general it begins with confirming the bones of the song are strong and key and tempo are most fitting. Then we complete scratch tracks and beginning with the parts of the song that will be most foundational. I do a mixture of editing along the way and in between sessions, with the intent of keeping the song sounding as refined as possible at all stages. I'm gauging the relevance of our choices along the way with preselected references. We schedule and complete all other sessions needed with other musicians. Then I move into mixing.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I operate a two room production space (mixing room and tracking room) Preamps; Focusrite ISA OnePresonus RC500Funk Logic RNP8380 (2). Compressors: dbx166xlBBE MaxcomFunk Logic RNC1773RC500. Rosetta AD stereo converter,Quantum Interface,Wurlitzer Console Piano,Mesa Boogie Express, iMac 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 16GB

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

A: Do I provide mastering. No, I have a few go to mastering engineers that I partner with.

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

A: Thinking that it just takes a couple of good pieces of gear to achieve a high quality track. There are hundreds of tiny tasks done well in order to achieve a really refined sound.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Assuming its for full production: what are you goals for these songs, do you know what musicians you want involved in the project, whats your budget, whats your timeline?

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Remixes for a client

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That I'm helping someone release their voice in the world and get to be creative in the process.

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

A: Full production from preproduction through final mix for singer/songwriters, folk and indie artists.

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

A: That I will go the extra mile to ensure I provide a creative-power-packed-uppercut to their music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Keep moving.