Remote Metal Mixing

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

A: I recently completed "The Turning Of Sephiria" by IMAGINAERUS - I was the recording artist and mixing/mastering engineer/producer. It was so much fun, but a heartbreaking track to have to make.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently building my portfolio as The Magician's Fool - a new project that is releasing its debut EP on June 30th, 2023.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, because it's more accurate.

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

A: My promise is that I will always treat you with respect, even if we disagree.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love hearing survivor stories the most. I adore doing custom songs because it allows me to let someone else share their story.

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

A: How much experience do you have in the field? My answer is 14 years. I began working as IMAGINAERUS in 2009.

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

A: The misconception is that I am not as experienced because I lack classical education; on the contrary, I've been making music for over 10 years. I've been my own producer, mixing and mastering engineer, lyricist, composer, instrumentalist and more. I've taught myself Audacity, Ableton, the guitar, piano, flute, dulcimer, lap harp and recorder, and am fluent in basic composition as well as specializing in writing with the Phrygian scale.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: + I ask what your emotions are in having requested a song in the first place - is there excitement, anxiety, fear? + I request an idea of what your lyrics are going to look like - I may ask about background, but you do NOT have to give me any details that you don't wish to. All questions come with the option to say NO! + I take a look into artists that the client is a fan of and see their sound for inspiration, then go into what other kinds of inspiration the client has for the piece + I ask about accommodations for both client and producer; "Do you need more time to (task)?"

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

A: Be patient with me, as my health is of my primary concern. I am a patient of leukemia and I must take frequent rest.

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

A: My guitar, my shamanic drum, the bell wand I made by hand, the rose quartz sound ball I use for percussion and one microphone.

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

A: My career path was working in assisted living and palliative care for the elderly and disabled in the height of 2020. I've been making music since I was a child, but professionally since 2009.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is experimental, gritty and harsh - but it's meant to be. The stories I tell are exactly that; gritty, unknown and harsh.

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

A: I would LOVE to work with Lorna Shore because their lyrical content resonates a lot for me, and I respect Will Ramos's techniques and teaching style. I'd love to shake the man's hand.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Never underestimate how low you can record something the first go when you have new equipment...(personal lesson learned here). It may be something most know, but I feel it's essential to educate people who may be new to the industry as well! As someone without a classical education background, I prefer to showcase the reality of what learning by yourself is like.

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

A: I typically work in metal.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my ability to learn new things.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring the truth in lyrics; I'm not afraid to step into heavy topics. I do not speak on politics, however, as I do not believe in engaging in them.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I typically analyze the files I've been sent first if it is a mixing/mastering project, then see what I need to tweak from there. When it comes to customized songs, I have a discussion with the client about their needs, the emotions that need to be expressed, etc. From there, we'll discuss lyrical content and from that, I will build a song around those themes.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I currently have a single-room studio that I work remotely from.

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

A: I am very inspired by Will Ramos and Chris Liepe, and hope to meet them someday! They inspired me to learn harsh vocal techniques that allowed me to do the work I do now.

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

A: I create customized songs and provide mixing/mastering work on files that have already been recorded & arranged.