Metal/Rock mixer & producer

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

A: Magic Tom & Yuri - Wietjoint, duh! The EP was recorded in three days, and mixed within a week. Although the process was fun and focused on creativity, the end result was a polished EP that took the act to the next level. Everyone involved was able to get their say in creatively.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. It is important to focus on the goal of a record. How do you want it to sound? With digital you can keep experimenting until you reach your goal. With analog, the gear takes over the focus. Sometimes certain hardware is the right way to go. It also keeps my costs down, and allows me to work quicker.

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

A: I promise to treat your song with the same care and attention to detail as if it were my own. I won't stop until the vision in your head comes out of the speakers.

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

A: That mixing can "fix" a bad recording. While I can do a lot of magic through editing, a great mix starts with a great performance and a good capture. The better the source, the better the final result.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: - "What are 3 songs that have the 'sound' you are chasing?" - "What is the emotion you want the listener to feel in the chorus?" - "Are there any specific elements in the demo that you absolutely love and want to keep?"

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

A: Have your reference tracks ready. Knowing what you want to sound like helps us get there much faster. Also, organizing your stems/files clearly before sending them over saves us time that I can spend on mixing rather than file management.

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

A: - MacBook Pro M1 (with my writing template loaded) - Quad Cortex (to use as an interface) - Audeze LCD-X headphones - a Telecaster (versatile for writing) - filter coffee machine (for the liters!)

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

A: I've been playing in bands since 2008. When my band went into the studio to record our first real album in 2016 I first came into contact with the recording process and immediately fell in love with it and started learning. In 2020 I started taking the mixing part of the process serious, took some courses and started working with some local bands. Now I'm at a point where I have my own dedicated studio space, and a skillset and confidence to take on audio gigs professionally.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Punchy, Modern, and Polished. I aim for a sound that has the raw energy of a live performance but the sonic fidelity of a top-tier studio release.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Separate editing and mixing as two separate tasks. Editing audio is necessary to achieve a modern and exciting sound, but the process will wear out your ears very quickly. Mixing requires fresh perspective. Learning to separate these two processes will make the process go faster and the results better.

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

A: I specialize in Rock, Metal, Punk, and Alternative. Whether it's high-gain metalcore, polished radio rock, or gritty indie, I understand the energy required to make those genres work.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is to focus on the end goal. Recording sessions can be really fun, but it is important to stay focused on what we are creating. The experience is temporary, but the songs we record and finish are forever. It is my job to focus on the end product, so that the artist can get lost in the creative moments.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a fresh, objective perspective. My goal is to identify the emotional core of the song—the element that makes the listener connect—and bring that to the forefront. I stay updated on modern music trends to ensure your sound is sonically competitive in today’s market.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Communication is key. 1. Consultation: We discuss your sonic goals and analyze your reference tracks to establish the "vibe." 2. The Mix: I get to work. Within 2-3 business days, you will receive a first version. I often send a "halfway point" mix to ensure we are aligned. 3. We polish the track with up to 3 rounds of revisions to make sure you are 100% happy.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work out of a dedicated, acoustically treated studio space located within a Record Label office in Haarlem, The Netherlands. This professional environment allows me to monitor with precision, ensuring your tracks translate perfectly across all playback systems.

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

A: I am heavily inspired by the titans of modern rock and metal mixing: Andy Wallace, Howard Benson and Chris Lord-Alge for their legacy, and modern heavy-hitters like Randy Leboeuf, WZRD BLD and Will Putney for their aggressive, clear, and forward-thinking productions.

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

A: Mixing and mastering of pre-recorded songs, as well as full production for singles, EPs, and albums. I specialize in taking raw tracks and turning them into streaming-ready, competitive releases.