Guitar/Drums/Bass/Mixing

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

A: My first project Lono is one I poured every ounce of my being into. I did everything, aside from sing.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mastering a 4 song EP for an instrumental group.

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

A: no

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital these days. I love analog, but things just break and break and break.

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

A: That you'll love what you get back, or we will fix it until you do.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being creative. I'm an artist, and without this form of expression, I'm just lost.

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

A: will you do this for free? No.

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

A: That a musicians time isn't as valuable as a lawyers

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I'll ask them the 4 questions above, and then also ask to send me a few artists they want the vibe to be similar to, so I know what headspace to perform style wise or mix wise

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

A: Outline in initial conversations. 1. timeline needed 2. if there are charts if doing recording, or if I have to figure it all out myself 3. if mixing if its been already edited and just needs the mixing 4. anticipated pay If I don't know these things I can't get an accurate quote together on if we can work together with your budget or not.

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

A: an acoustic guitar, single condenser, cocktail drum set, my SSL plugins, and whatever I'm allowed to have to record these on.

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

A: I went to Berklee College of Music, and have been a professional musician for nearly 20 years.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make everything tight. A good sounding recording won't hit unless the band is tight and everything is lined up. Edit those drums to a grid, be it a tempo map or create a tempo map off their performance to lock the rest of the band with.

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

A: Mostly Rock and pop. I've done some work with Indi jazz and Indi folk stuff as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Improvisation

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: 20 years of professional playing, knowledge and understanding of music. I hear what I feel is needed and add it.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First I create as clean a product as possible to send back, be it just an instrument or a full project.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have both live and digital recording capabilities for both drum set and guitar/bass. I have a Tama drum set with Zildjian professional grade cymbals and Shure mics. Digitally I have and superior drummer 3. Guitar setup is a Mesa Boogie, with various Gibson and Fender electric guitars and Gibson acoustic. I also have Amplitube 5 and can replicate any desired sound.

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

A: Terry Date and Joe Barresi are my favorite producers. Guitarists: Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Scott Henderson Drummers: Danny Carey, John Bonham, Abe Cunningham

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

A: I am typically hired as a last minute fill in musician when a member of a group is unable to perform. I also get asked to record guitar and drums. I have mixed a couple of albums and EPs.