Mixing and Mastering Engineer

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

A: I am equally proud of every single project I work on. It's feels like a blessing.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on a Pop and Afrobeats E.P simultaneously. Incredible

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

A: AyoTheGenius haha.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Honestly both.

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

A: With me, you will bring out your sonic vision to its full potential.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The fact that I get to take an sketch and turn it whole.

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

A: Do you do a test work? Answer is No.

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

A: One of the biggest misconceptions about mixing and mastering is that it’s simply about making a track sound good or loud, without taking into account the intricate work that goes into it. Many people believe that mixing and mastering are just about turning knobs and applying effects, but the reality is that it involves a deep understanding of both technical and artistic elements. In mixing, it’s not just about balancing levels and adding effects; it’s about creating a coherent and emotionally impactful soundscape. This involves intricate decisions about EQ, compression, panning, and spatial effects to ensure that every element of the track is clear and complements the overall mix. Mastering, on the other hand, is not just about making the track louder. It’s about preparing the final mix for distribution, ensuring that it translates well across different playback systems and meets industry standards for loudness and quality. This includes fine-tuning the tonal balance, applying subtle compression, and preparing the track for various formats. Additionally, both mixing and mastering require a deep understanding of the music genre, the artist’s vision, and the technical aspects of audio engineering. It’s a meticulous process that involves critical listening, experience, and creativity to achieve a professional sound that enhances the artist’s work. Overall, the misconception is that mixing and mastering are simple tasks, when in reality, they are complex and crucial steps in the music production process that require skill, experience, and a keen ear for detai

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Are the stems arranged?

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

A: Never feel like you are asking for too much when it comes to perfecting your songs.

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

A: A laptop, a pair of headphones, a sound card, a midi keyboard and a microphone

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

A: My career path in music production and mixing began over 8 years ago. I’ve always had a deep passion for music, which led me to get into audio engineering and music production. During my studies, I gained a solid foundation in the technical aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering. After completing my education, I started working as an assistant engineer at U&I Studio, where I had the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and work on a variety of projects. This hands-on experience was invaluable and helped me develop my skills in a real-world setting. I gradually moved up to a lead engineer role, where I took on more responsibility and began working directly with clients. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with independent artists, bands, and even some well-known names in the industry. About 6 years ago, I decided to set up my own studio to have more creative freedom and to focus on my growing list of clients. Since then, I’ve been running my own business, providing mixing and mastering services, and continuing to refine my craft. My work has been featured in various projects, from albums and singles to film scores and commercials. Overall, I've been in the industry for 7 years, and my journey has been driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping artists bring their musical visions to life. I continue to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in music production, ensuring that I can offer the best possible service to my clients.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Observant, Unique and Focus.

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

A: I would love to work with every single creatives in the world if I could but that can be difficult, can’t it?

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Haha. Like I always say; "If it's not broken, don't fix it".

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

A: I typically work on a diverse range of music genres, but I specialize in Afrobeats. I frequently work with independent artists and bands in genres such as rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. These genres allow me to apply my skills in balancing intricate layers, creating impactful dynamics, and ensuring a polished, professional sound. In the rock genre, I enjoy bringing out the raw energy and emotion of the performances, ensuring that each instrument, especially guitars and drums, has a powerful presence in the mix. For pop music, I focus on creating clean, vibrant mixes that highlight the vocal performance and hooks, making sure they stand out and are radio-ready. In hip-hop, I pay special attention to the low end, ensuring that the bass and kick drum are tight and punchy, while also making sure the vocals are clear and upfront. For electronic music, I enjoy working with complex synth textures and effects, creating immersive soundscapes that enhance the overall listening experience. Additionally, I have experience working with acoustic and folk music, where the focus is on capturing the natural sound of the instruments and the intimacy of the performances. This variety not only keeps my work interesting but also allows me to bring a broad perspective and a wealth of techniques to each project. Overall, my versatility in working across multiple genres enables me to adapt to the specific needs of each project and bring out the best in every song I work on.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my ability to create a balanced and immersive mix that highlights the best aspects of a song while maintaining clarity and depth. I have a keen ear for detail and a deep understanding of how different frequencies and dynamics interact within a mix. One of my key strengths is my proficiency with EQ and compression. I know how to carve out space for each element in a mix, ensuring that every instrument and vocal can be heard clearly without clashing or muddying the overall sound. I can bring out the warmth and character of a vocal performance or add punch and power to the rhythm section, depending on what the song needs. Additionally, I excel at using spatial effects like reverb and delay to create a sense of space and dimension. I understand how to use these tools subtly to enhance the atmosphere of a track without overwhelming the core elements. This skill is crucial in making a song sound polished and professional, whether it’s meant for radio, streaming, or live performance. Beyond the technical aspects, my strongest skill includes my ability to interpret an artist's vision and translate it into the mix. I communicate closely with my clients to understand their goals and preferences, and I use this insight to make creative decisions that align with their artistic intent. This ensures that the final product not only sounds great but also resonates with the artist and their audience. In summary, my strongest skill is my ability to blend technical precision with creative intuition to produce mixes that are both sonically excellent and emotionally impactfu

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: What I bring to a song is a combination of technical expertise, creative vision, and a deep understanding of the emotional impact of music. My approach ensures that every element of the track contributes to the overall vibe and message the artist wants to convey. Firstly, I bring technical proficiency. I have extensive experience with various DAWs, plugins, and outboard gear, which allows me to achieve a clean, professional sound. My knowledge of EQ, compression, reverb, and other effects ensures that each track is sonically balanced and clear. Creatively, I focus on enhancing the unique qualities of the song and the artist. I pay close attention to the song's dynamics and arrangement, making sure that the mix supports the emotional journey from start to finish. Whether it's adding depth with spatial effects or creating contrast with strategic automation, my goal is to amplify the song’s impact. Additionally, I bring a collaborative spirit to the project. I prioritize open communication with the artist, understanding their vision and incorporating their feedback throughout the process. This ensures that the final product not only meets technical standards but also resonates with the artist's intent and audience. Lastly, I bring a fresh perspective. I stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in music production while also drawing inspiration from a wide range of genres and eras. This allows me to introduce innovative elements and ideas that can give the song a distinctive edge. Overall, what I bring to a song is a blend of technical skill, creative insight, and a commitment to realizing the artist’s vision, resulting in a final product that is both technically excellent and emotionally compelling

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process begins with a thorough understanding of the client's vision and goals for the project. I start by having an initial consultation where we discuss their artistic intent, any specific references they have in mind, and any technical requirements. Once I receive the raw tracks, I organize and import them into my DAW, usually Ableton Live. I begin with a cleanup phase, where I edit out any unwanted noise, align the tracks, and ensure everything is properly labeled and color-coded for easy navigation. Next, I move on to the mixing phase. I start by setting up a basic balance and panning to create a rough mix. Then, I dive into more detailed work, such as applying EQ, compression, and other effects to each track. I also work on creating depth and space in the mix using reverb and delay. After the mix is in a good place, I take breaks to give my ears a rest and come back with a fresh perspective. This helps me catch any issues I might have missed initially. I also send the client a preliminary mix to get their feedback and make any necessary adjustments based on their input. Once the mix is approved, I move on to the mastering phase. Here, I ensure that the final mix translates well across different playback systems by applying EQ, compression, and limiting to achieve the desired loudness and tonal balance. Finally, I deliver the final master to the client in the requested formats, along with any additional versions they might need, such as instrumental or a cappella tracks. Throughout the process, I maintain open communication with the client to ensure their vision is realized and they are satisfied with the final product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio setup is designed to provide a professional environment for mixing and mastering, ensuring that I can deliver high-quality results for my clients. It’s a hybrid setup that combines the best of both digital and analog worlds. It is equipped to handle a wide range of audio production needs, from tracking and editing to mixing and mastering, ensuring that I can consistently deliver high-quality results.

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

A: I draw a lot of inspiration from several key figures in the music production industry. One of the foremost is Quincy Jones, whose work as a producer and arranger has been pivotal in shaping the sound of modern music. His ability to seamlessly blend different genres and his meticulous attention to detail in the studio have greatly influenced my approach to mixing and mastering and production. Another major influence is Rick Rubin. I admire his minimalist approach and his belief in letting the artist’s natural sound shine through. His work with artists across diverse genres has taught me the importance of versatility and adaptability in production. On the technical side, Andrew Scheps has been a big inspiration. His innovative use of parallel compression and his philosophy of 'commit and move on' have changed the way I think about workflow and decision-making in the studio. His work on albums by artists like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Adele showcases his ability to create mixes that are both powerful and nuanced. Finally, I look up to Tchad Blake for his creative use of unconventional recording techniques and effects. His work has shown me that pushing boundaries and thinking outside the box can lead to truly unique and impactful sounds. These professionals have not only set high standards in the industry but have also encouraged me to continually refine my skills and experiment with new techniques to better serve my clients.

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

A: The most common type of work I do for my clients involves mixing and mastering their music tracks to achieve a polished, professional sound. I primarily work with independent artists and bands across various genres, including afrobeats, amapiano, pop, hip-hop, r&b and electronic music. My services include mixing individual tracks to balance levels, EQ, and add effects, and then mastering the final mix to ensure it meets industry standards for loudness and clarity. My process begins with a thorough discussion with the client to understand their artistic vision and any specific requirements they have. I use a combination of digital tools, such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Studio One and various high-quality plugins, as well as analog outboard gear to achieve the desired sound. A typical project might involve editing and cleaning up the audio tracks, applying EQ and compression, adding reverb or other effects for depth and space, and then finalizing the master to ensure it translates well across all playback systems. Clients often come to me for my attention to detail and my ability to bring out the best in their recordings. I've received positive feedback for my ability to enhance the emotional impact of a track while maintaining the artist's original intent. Ultimately, my goal is to deliver a final product that exceeds my clients' expectations and helps them succeed in their musical careers.