Professional Mixing Suite

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

A: My most interesting projects are happening now, the things I am getting into now and the sounds that I am getting currently are some of the best I have worked with, so I am most proud of myself at this time for what my studio is today.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm in the middle of an E.P.

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

A: not at this time.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog because it sounds the best, and digital because it's a necessary part of today's recording environment.

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

A: That, I will do all I can to capture their best performance.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: the freedom

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

A: it's the end of day 3 of a 5 day project, "hey, can I get that mix?" which means "hey I want my song, because I'm not planning on coming back for 3 weeks if ever". - Answer - "oh Hey I forgot to give you a copy of that agreement you signed, just have a look at this while I finish cleaning up the live room. Be back real quick"

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

A: that music and a great sound just happens, that its easy and that I can manufacture a great performance. This is just not true. Things take time, and a great artist is just that - a great artist.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: what is the line up of the project (number of artists/instruments), whats your budget? Are you looking for a rehearsal recording, a single, an EP or an LP? How long have you been rehearsing with your project? what kind of time constraints is your project under?

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

A: Have a solid idea of what it is you are looking for, have a budget in mind and for gods sake please.....be.....rehearsed...the studio is not really the place to write and learn your song. But hey "if you got the money honey, I've got your disease"

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

A: um..how about a grill and some New York Strips? perhaps gear I can't live without then...I always require my U87, Merc1969, 1176, Tape Machine and my Lexicon unit. no one escapes this setup.

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

A: I have been in the business professionally for the past 8 years in different capacities but always staying in Pro Audio, whether it was in an LA recording Studio, Front of House, On Stage as an Artist, Broadcast, and even Film. I stay busy.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Naturally Warm with a flare for Classic sounds.

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

A: Metallica - while there song writing has made a return to their roots with a raw and heavy progressive nature, I think in their attempts to capture that raw element, their mixes are suffering and should, and could, and need to be better, the quality and orchestral nature of 'Master of Puppets' or the super clean and polished sound of 'The Black Album'.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Avoid over effecting, whether it's dynamics, Time Based (reverb) or Tuning (Autotune-Melodyne). Give the song what it needs not necessarily what you think it should have - If it doesn't sound good RAW it will never really get any better.

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

A: All types, it does seem I work with a lot of rockers, heavy metal guys, blues artists and vocalists.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Drums, I take a great deal of pride, time and energy into cultivating a great drum sound, I avoid using MIDI drums. That being said I also spend as much time and energy as the client affords to create a thick and even, full spectrum mix. I believe I have a unique mix style while not sacrificing quality.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I approach each song as an individual and try to see it from the point of view of whats best for this song, as apposed to 'who does this person/artist sound like and how can we make then sound like someone else'. I want each artist to have their own individual sound and strive to help artists achieve a personlized "Sound".

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Each artist or band is different, so the work flow has to adjust per situation, but the main Idea is to capture a great Raw performance whether it be a vocalist, drummer whatever. If it doesn't sound good going into record it's not going to sound better coming out on the other side.

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

A: Ross Robinson, Chris Lord Alge, Chris Dugan, Dan Donegan, DR. Luke, Max Martin, Pomplamoose

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The main affair so to speak is the Console, an Audient 8024, 24 channel professional recording console. British Pre's and EQ's. Full routing and an SSL G type bus Compressor. An ever expanding compliment of outboard gear such as Mercenary audio Tube Compressors, 33609 Neve Compressor, Nuemann, SE, AKG mics and so much more!

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

A: Start to Finish, Record, Edit, Mix and Master.