Guitar/Production/Mix/Master

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

A: This single that's coming out is a collaboration with one of the best vocalists in the metal business, can't wait for it to come out, I'm very proud of the guitar work and writing of this one, and it's a very special song to me as it hits close to home. It's about breaking free of the standard 9 to 5 work depression and doing what I love and actually being succesfull in doing that. I did most of the work on the song, except the vocals.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on a composition for a client, my own solo project and a local bands' single, good times!

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

A: Paul Dolphin, he's a great guy and very talented, if you don't hire me (which you should, duh! :P) I'd tell you to hire him.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, automation in a DAW is absolutely key to a great modern mix, and sidechaining etc makes for endless possibilites, but the color of a great analog console is undeniably pretty, I mainly use top notch digital simulations of analog hardware to get these effects.

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

A: We're going to get great results together!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music, feeling other people's emotion through music is a very special thing.

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

A: What are your rates, my answer usually is something in the trend like, what services do you exactly require from me, and based on that I'd make a quote

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

A: I have no idea? :o

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Depends on the job, for mixing I'd ask what the tempo is of the song and for composition work what they want the listener to feel, nothing weird really, I promise :P

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

A: Make sure you're ready to dive into this together! I'm 100% honest, and although that may be tough on some people, it ensures the best results. Also, I appreciate well organised files and for things to be recorded properly but that speaks for itself. The most important thing is grab all the enthousiasm and vigor you have, hit me up and LET'S DO THIS! * roll commercial

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

A: PC, Guitar, Interface, monitors, don't really need anything else

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

A: Since I've listened to Iron Maiden for the first time when I was just 8 years old I've wanted a career in music, and everything I've done in my life was with that end goal in mind. I've spend most of my time writing riffs, harmonies, songs, and practicing guitars. A while ago I've started to do mixing work commercially, and judging by the clients' reactions, getting great results!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Heavy, hard-hitting but polished and pretty as f*ck

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

A: I could die happy after making a record with Symphony X, I'm so damn impressed by the sheer musicianship this band has to offer, Michael Romeo, damn dude, damn

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try to get into flow state when doing anything creative, it'll maximize your creative output =)

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

A: Metal, rock, everything heavy, but I don't shy away from any good piece of music, whatever genre!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Building on the creativity of others

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I'll add a certain bit of extra, the final 5-10% you need to make your song that extra bit of special.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Typically I'll see what the artist wants and start to specify things so everything is clear for both parties at all times. Then I'll start to listen to the material I got sent and place myself in a listeners' point of view, I'll assess the commercial viability (if that's the major goal of the artist, if not I'll adapt to their wishes) and discuss with the artist to get the best possible result out of the song. If there are things to be recorded or instrument parts programmed, this would be the stage to do that in. When everything is ready for mixing I'll load them in and find the best possible reference (if not provided by the artist themselves) and go for what sounds best for me, depending on the budget I'll send it to a master engineer or I'll master the file myself and deliver to the client all the formats they need.

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

A: Most of my work entails the production, mixing and mastering of music. This means that most of the time I help artists get the most out of their music and making sure for an optimal end result. Other services are everything else to do with artists, session guitar, composition, guest solos, even lyric video's or artwork! I aim to be the go to person for an artist and preferably build a bond, a real cooperation, to get the results that surpass everything and anything either can do without the other.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup is set in an acoustically treated control room with mackie monitors and a jbl sub (essential for getting a tight low end) a basic 8 input interface with a separate DI-Box for guitars. I use an Ibanez Iron Label 7 string with floyd for recording and I have a bass player in house that has his own instruments.

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

A: Joel Wanasek is my guru! #Nosmalltime, Joey Sturgis has some amazing mixes and very interesting post-productions, Tue Madsen did some amazing work with The Haunted that I really love, and of course I grew up with mixes by Andy Sneap, Colin Richardson etc, I could go on and on about this!