Premier Audio Mastering

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog and digital both. I like using digital plugins for corrective issues, and analog for all of the wonderful goodness it provides!

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

A: To make your vision the most important.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love making an artists' song the absolute best it can be!

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

A: How long will the mastering process take? Answer: The amount of time required for mastering varies depending on the complexity of the project and the availability of the mastering engineer. A typical turnaround time is usually a few days to a week, but this can vary depending on the engineer's workload. Can you provide references or examples of your previous work? Answer: Most mastering engineers are happy to provide references or examples of their previous work to potential clients. This can help clients get a sense of the engineer's style and quality of work. What file formats do you accept for mastering? Answer: Most mastering engineers accept a variety of file formats, but it's important to check with the engineer beforehand to ensure that the files are compatible with their equipment and software. I use 24 bit WAV and/or AIFF files. Can you make my song louder? Answer: While loudness is an important aspect of mastering, it's not the only consideration. A skilled mastering engineer will balance loudness with other sonic qualities to ensure that the final product is dynamic, clear, and engaging.

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

A: One of the biggest misconceptions is that mastering is a magic process that can turn a poorly recorded or mixed song into a hit. While mastering can certainly enhance the sonic qualities of a song, it cannot fix major issues with the recording or mix. Mastering engineers rely on the quality of the recording and mix to create a final product that meets the creative vision of the client. Another misconception is that mastering is a one-size-fits-all process that can be applied to any song or genre. In reality, each song and genre has unique characteristics that require a tailored approach to mastering. A skilled mastering engineer will take into account the unique qualities of the music and adjust their approach accordingly to deliver the best possible result. Finally, some people believe that mastering is a quick and simple process that can be done in a matter of minutes. In reality, mastering is a complex and time-consuming process that requires a combination of technical expertise, creative skill, and attention to detail. A skilled mastering engineer will take the time needed to carefully adjust each element of the mix to ensure that the final product meets the highest standards of quality.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the genre of the music? What are the intended distribution channels for the music? What are the desired sonic qualities of the final product? Are there any particular songs or artists that have influenced the sound of the music? What is the intended listening environment for the music? What is the deadline for the project? What is the budget for the project? Are there any specific concerns or issues with the recordings that need to be addressed during the mastering process? What are the client's goals and expectations for the project? What level of involvement does the client want to have in the mastering process?

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

A: Give me details! Communicate your goals and expectations - Before starting the project, be sure to communicate your goals and expectations with me. This will help to ensure that I understand your creative vision and can deliver the results you're looking for. Ask questions - Don't be afraid to ask questions about my process, equipment, and experience. I am more thanl happy to answer your questions and help you feel confident in my abilities.

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

A: The five pieces of gear would have to be my two Pultec EQs, my Drawer EQ, my blue stripe 1176, and my Bock 251 microphone!

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

A: I started off in a very musical household. I have recorded and produced my own albums but fell in love with the post-production process - especially mastering. I have been mastering music for half a decade and truly love the exposure to so many different styles of music every day.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style can be characterized by a combination of technical expertise, creative flair, and a dedication to excellence in all aspects of the mastering process. My ability to bring out the energy and dynamics of the music creates a sense of excitement and impact that connects with the listener on an emotional level. I also pay extreme attention to detail and his commitment to delivering high-quality results that meet the creative vision of his clients.

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

A: I would love to work with you! There is nothing I love more than making a musical goal become a reality.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Automation. Automating, even in mastering, helps bring your song to life by adding a human element to the process.

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

A: I usually work on everything and anything but have been working mostly on pop, singer/songwriter, and hip-hop as of late.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my ability to hear and identify subtle nuances in the music and make precise adjustments to enhance its overall sonic qualities. This requires a keen ear, technical knowledge of the recording and mastering process, and the ability to communicate effectively with clients to understand their creative vision and goals for the project. Other important skills include attention to detail, a strong sense of timing and rhythm, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Here are some of the things that a mastering engineer might bring to a song: Clarity and definition - A mastering engineer can use EQ and other processing tools to bring out the clarity and definition of the instruments and vocals, making the music sound more balanced and focused. Punch and impact - By applying compression and other dynamic processing techniques, a mastering engineer can increase the punch and impact of the music, making it sound more powerful and dynamic. Depth and dimension - Reverb, delay, and stereo imaging techniques can be used to create a sense of depth and dimension in the mix, making the music sound more immersive and engaging. Loudness and consistency - A mastering engineer can ensure that the music is at an appropriate level of loudness and is consistent across all playback systems, making it sound professional and polished. Emotional impact - By carefully shaping the tonality, dynamics, and overall balance of the music, a mastering engineer can help to create an emotional impact that connects with the listener on a deeper level. Ultimately, a mastering engineer's goal is to enhance the sonic qualities of the music in a way that aligns with the artist's creative vision and makes the music sound as good as possible on any playback system.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Receiving the files - The first step is to receive the audio files from the client, typically in a high-resolution format such as WAV or AIFF. Listening and assessment - I listen to the tracks and make an initial assessment of the sonic qualities, technical issues, and creative goals for the project. Pre-mastering preparation - The audio is then prepared for mastering, which may include tasks such as cleaning up the audio, aligning levels, and organizing the tracks. Processing - I apply various processing tools to enhance the overall sound quality of the audio. This may involve using equalization, compression, limiting, stereo imaging, and other processing techniques to shape the tonality and dynamics of the music. Sequencing - If the project is an album, I will sequence the tracks in a logical order that enhances the flow and narrative of the album. Final adjustments - I then make final adjustments to the volume levels, fades, and other details to ensure that the tracks sound cohesive and balanced across all playback systems. Delivery - The final mastered audio files are then delivered back to the client, ready for distribution. Throughout the process, I work closely with the client to ensure that the final product meets their expectations and aligns with their creative vision. Communication is key, and the mastering engineer will provide feedback, guidance, and suggestions to help the client achieve their desired sonic results.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: A mastering studio generally has a carefully designed listening environment with acoustically treated walls and a high-quality monitoring system, including high-end speakers and amplifiers. The room is also typically designed to be acoustically neutral, meaning that it does not add any coloration or distortion to the sound. In terms of equipment, I use a combination of top-of-the-line outboard, analog hardware and software tools to process the audio. We are very excited to share that we are also Apple Digital Certified! We use high-end outboard gear, such as analog compressors, equalizers, and limiters, to add warmth, character, and depth to the sound. We also utilize digital processors, such as plugins and software applications, which provide precise and flexible control over the audio and allow for a wide range of creative possibilities.

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

A: There are countless, but three that come to mine are Mike Bozzi, Chris Lord-Alge, and Tom Lord-Alge, as they are all highly respected and talented professionals in the music production industry. Mike Bozzi has worked with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone, and J. Cole, and is known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to bring out the best in any mix. Chris Lord-Alge and Tom Lord-Alge are brothers who have made significant contributions to the music industry as mixing engineers. Chris has mixed for a wide range of artists, including Green Day, Bon Jovi, and Madonna, and is known for his punchy, in-your-face mixing style. Tom has also mixed for many high-profile artists, such as Weezer, Blink-182, and Sum 41, and is known for his expertise in crafting powerful, dynamic mixes. All three of these professionals are admired and respected for their technical skills, creativity, and dedication to their craft. They have made significant contributions to the music industry and have helped shape the sound of modern music.

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

A: As a mastering engineer, the most common type of work I do for my clients is audio mastering. Audio mastering is the final stage of music production, where the final mixdown of a song or album is processed to enhance its overall sound quality and prepare it for distribution. During the mastering process, I listen to the music carefully and use a combination of technical expertise, critical listening skills, and creative judgment to make subtle adjustments to the frequency balance, stereo image, dynamics, and overall tonality of the music. I may also apply some corrective processing to address any technical issues such as unwanted noise or distortion, and make sure that the music is balanced and consistent across all listening environments and playback systems. My goal as a mastering engineer is to ensure that the music sounds the best it possibly can, while also staying true to the artist's creative vision and intention. I work closely with my clients to understand their needs and preferences, and provide personalized feedback and guidance throughout the mastering process to help them achieve their desired sonic results.