Mixing, Mastering, Programming

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Lots of vintage gear. Lots of Langevin pre's and EQ's. I have the console from Producers Workshop in LA that Aja and Gaucho was recorded on., Fleetwood Mac's Rumor's was done on it as well as Pink Floyd's guitars for The Wall, also Alice Coopers School's Out and lots of other cool history. I use Tannoy Super Gold 10's with the Mastering Lab crossovers, custom Mastering Lab modified amps, and subwoofers. For DAW's I use Logic, ProTools, and Soundblade for mastering.

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

A: The failure of people to realize the importance of critical concentration of a multitude of styles and artists for 30 years, and how that benefits them.

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

A: I just produced, engineered, mixed and mastered a light Jazz project for Ilonka called "To Be Loved" for the Naxos label. It's open and simple, and sonically maybe the best sounding project I've ever done.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Jonathan Jackson ( from the TV show Nashville). He's a fantastic talent.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Wonderful analogue on the front end, and digital for mixing and editing. Although this conversation can go on for days, and I've experienced the good and bad of both methodologies. All the arguments for or against are mute if the material sucks.

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

A: To give you my best always.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music and painting with sound.

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

A: 1. Can we make this sound better? Sure, if the song is good, I can always make it sound better. If it's a bad song, I can only give you a better version of your bad song. 2. What will it cost and how long will it take? Always a bit ambiguous, but for this website $500/song and a five day maximum turnaround.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are your favorite artist and styles? Is your material like your favorite artists? In a perfect world, how would you like this song to end up? What do you think your music should accomplish?

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

A: Make sure you have a great song and a good performance. It makes everything easier.

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

A: Satellite Phone. Boat. Extra fuel. Tent. Food. ... actually a Langevin Tube pre, a Big tube mic ( that's actually a brand name), custom made LA-2 , Langevin 251 EQ, an 1176.

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

A: As a kid I worked in music stores, later selling audio gear in Nashville. Started engineering in the early 80's. Being a musician, I also build tube guitar amps. Through all the years, I've worked hard at making each project better than the last!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm very laid-back. Very emotion conscious of the content. If my mix can make me smile, cry, or want to dance... I've done my job. My mixes are typically deep, big and lush... unless you specify dry, bad and cheap sounding.

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

A: I'm working with my favorites right now.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The less junk on the tracks, the bigger it will sound!

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

A: Lately it's been ethereal rock from Jonathan Jackson + Enation (ala Rock meets Gabriel), light jazz from Ilonka, "To Be Loved", and some Americana from a new band called Dawson Hollow. I've always refused to be put in a box, lol, and work on wide varieties of styles.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing. I am very attuned to the emotion a song conveys.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I am very experimental, unless you want a straight up country or rock vibe. I love electronica world music.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Mixing usually stays in the box on Logic or ProTools. At my discretion, I may outboard some cool vintage gear when needed.

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

A: There are too many to properly include... I love Peter Gabriel. I worked with Patrick Leonard over the years and love his musicality and talent, as well as so many great musicians around Nashville and LA such as Dann Huff, Vinnie Colaiuta, Robbie Buchannon, Nathan East, Paul Leim, Kenny Aronoff.

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

A: Most of my work is mixing and or programming synth pads and sequences for their songs. I also record a lot of lead vocals, which I do very well.