Mixing Pop/Rock/Heavy

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Short: Doesn't matter. Long: I think why people are obsessed about analog is more about the process it takes. It forces you to get a certain perspective real quick. But I think a lot of people project this into the sound it has. It certainly has, but the difference to digital is very little. I try to force myself getting into the lessons that full analog would have given me, if I was born 10 years earlier. But in terms of editing I am very happy to live in the era of computers. I still use my analog SSL-style bus compression. I just like the sound of it. But my mixes have the same vibe without it.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Having a picture in my head and finding out how to get there.

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

A: How should I deliver my tracks -> export your tracks, all must have the same starting point in time, give them any name except "audio 1" -> bounce a rough mix -> send your track and rough in a folder named "ARTIST - SONG_BPM" What sample rate are you mixing at? Please send your tracks in 48khz/24bit. If you can't figure that out then send me what you have.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: If you had three words to describe your song which were these? What is your sonic vision of the song?

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I will create the connection that people can listen to your music without thinking about it and recognizing that it was probably done in a bedroom. I always make sure that nothing stands between your music and the listener. Technically, I will make sure that the midrange speaks. This is where all the music is sitting.

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

A: I can't strip that down to just one project but it's always one of those where I have multiple responsibilities like when I record my own band, play the drums by myself and do the mixing. It's hard to keep the goal. But I think this is when I always learn the most. In the end I am always proud when I finish a track, because every song has a thing you have to find out.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mixing an album from an instrumental prog/jazz/rock trio that I recorded & engineered in may.

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

A: no, not yet but I would like :-)

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

A: I give a 110% all the time with every artist, record, song and even second of it.

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

A: That you have to do secret things, to get a pro sound.

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

A: Give the song everything you possibly can, pay attention to timing and pitch issues.

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

A: Power Generator, Macbook, Interface, Sm57, AKG 240 Headphones

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

A: I started recording at age 15. My first professional gig I got in my early twenties. Since then I grew and went full time last year. I've also been a drummer forever and learned to play a lot of other instruments in my teenage years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: The vibe of rock records from the 90s to early 2000s in a modern approach.

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

A: I really don't know. I think it should be fun and be paid.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always listen and go for the big picture. It is as hard and as simple as it sounds! That also means less ego...That is true to any field of music production, even writing. I think it's the core of doing art. (Wow, that could've come from Rick Rubin haha)

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

A: Rock music from soft to heavy.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing , recording & playing drums

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For large sessions I will shrink down the track count by comping. Then I'll do a quick balance, listen to the rough, and start tweaking the drums and so....

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: For recording I have a little studio with a control room and some basic Focusrite interfaces & Audient preamps. I also have some outboard compressors and eqs for recording. My mixing work is done at home. My setup is almost in the box but has analog bus compression (SSL style). I think that really makes a difference. My speakers I won't tell but I also use headphones to check low end.

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

A: Too many but for mixing I rely on the old guys (CLA, AW)

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

A: I do mixing, producing and session drumming, sometimes synths.