Music Producer and Mixer

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

A: I mixed a song for a band called Eve To Adam… My buddy Eric in the band Shinedown asked me to mix it because he couldn't get the vocals in the mix to sound right. I sent him my mix and he was blown away, and I smiled for a week. I really enjoy being able to make things happen.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently mixing a song for Kevin Jonas, music for Kelly Clarkson, mixing audio for a feature length film, and just started mixing a new rock record.

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

A: If you need Drums… Hit up Lester Estelle.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They both bring different and unique abilities to the table. Digital is easy to work with, fast, accessible… Analog is its own beast. I use them both together to create what I do.

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

A: I promise you will be happy when we are done with whatever we are working on together.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love working with different musical groups and artists… I love being able to create… I love making people happy.

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

A: Most of the questions, my customers have already been answered in this questionnaire. Most commonly, I'm asked about my set up, my history, and what kind of bourbon I enjoy. :)

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

A: Biggest misconception about what I do is when people think that they can turn in a song that doesn't sound finished and get something magical out of it because of the mix. Granted, when I mix, I try to make magical moments happen, you can't polish a turd. All the parts have to be there, the song has to be there, it needs to be right (not necessarily perfect) for the mix to sound amazing.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to ask what they listen to, what they want their finished product to sound like, and if they could be on tour, who it would be with.

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

A: Here's the thing… I will not be the best person for every job. There are too many people out there who will accept any gig that pays money, and when it's just a paycheck, the passion gets lost. I pick and choose what I work on just as you, as the client, should pick and choose who works with you. Maybe just do one song and see if it fits… If it doesn't, move on. If it does, work together again.

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

A: I would take a Distressor, an API 2500, an LA-2A, SM7b, and D6.

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

A: After going to school to study vocal performance and computer sciences, I went to the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, and learned how to do what I do today. I soaked it all up, secured an internship, and eventually started engineering as the head engineer of a recording studio in Scottsdale Arizona. After that, I moved to Nashville in February 2009, and open my own recording studio. From that point forward, there was no stopping me.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: 20 years ago I would've said "safe." But safe doesn't win awards… So I like pushing boundaries. I like being creative, I hate presets.

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

A: Justin Timberlake… He's always been top of my list as far as production goes, and I would love to work with that dude.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: If I could share only one tip, it would be to mix with your ears and not your eyes. Who cares what the meter say or what the settings are… If it sounds good, it is good. Use what you have, not what everybody else has. You don't need to have all of the things in order to create… Get good with what you do have and use it to the max.

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

A: I typically work on rock, pop, hard rock, and Christian music. I started in hip-hop so I can do that like the back of my hand.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is probably my ability to relate to the artist and translate their ideas into real life musical moments.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Besides, having spent more than two decades, mixing Music full-time for a living, I'm also a musician. I was raising a church which helped me hear harmonies and the way songs come together and can evoke emotions… I toured with rock bands as a drummer and pride myself on my drum tones… I was a vocal performance major in college, so I focus on keeping the vocals front and center in the mix. I have mixed billboard number one charting songs, recorded gold and platinum records, been nominated for four Grammy awards, and won 5 EMMY Awards for music mixing.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: One of the first things I do when I import a session to begin, mixing, is listen through the song a few times to see what story the musicians are intending to tell with it. It's not my job to redirect it, it's my job to enhance it. I give a lot of attention to every instrument and voice, and treat every mix as if it were my own project. Once I have a solid foundation, I take a break from it and eventually revisit it to see if there are any gaps that need to be filled, sonically. Once I'm happy with the mix, I will send it to the client and ask them to spend some time reviewing it and make any notes they may have for me. My ultimate goal is to make the client head over heels ecstatic about their mix.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a maxed out, Mac studio, rack, racks outboard gear with all of the classic processors you know, and way too many plug-ins to count. I have endorsements with Waves, FabFilter, SoundToys, Antares, Eventide, Plug-in Alliance, Universal Audio… and more.

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

A: I'm actually inspired by a lot of creators, mixers, and musicians… If you're not inspired by your surroundings, I don't understand how you can be successful in this industry and keep from being stagnant.

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

A: I spend most of my time, mixing rock, pop, and hard rock music in my studio, using a hybrid set up of top-tier outboard gear and software.