Producer, Studio, Mixer

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

A: "Somewhere With You" by Kenny Chesney. The original demo was recorded here. The songwriter was a local singer songwriter who has since moved to Nashville and found great success there as a songwriter. It's common practice in how the beginning stages of a demo, a lot of the ideas in arrangement often make it onto the record when they re-record it for the artist. I'm proud of our crew.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Getting ready to leave for Nashville to produce a master on an artist. Most of the time we stick to the virtual, remote sessions, but sometimes I'll fly out to Nashville to produce a master or an album project.

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

A: I need to look around... but Anna Montgomery is a fantastic singer. She's song a lot of demos for my clients over the years.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! But digital is becoming a more common solution. I love the science behind all of the algorithms. The DNA of replicating or duplicating a sound from a brand new product.

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

A: You won't find a better quality product for the price.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The creative side of it.

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

A: Can you take a check? No. Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.

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

A: Q. Are the Nashville players in your L.A. studio? A. No, they're in playing live in Nashville as we listen and give them direction. Q. Do I still own my song after all the amazing musicianship you added? A. Yes, everything we do is work for hire.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: The only questions I really ask are about the task at hand regarding the song. Does the tempo feel right? Is that the vibe you're looking for? Are you sure that's the key?

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

A: Listen to their work. Ask specifically, if this is the same product you're expecting to pay for. Compare that work to others and their prices. Listen closely and choose accordingly. It seems simple but a lot of people think that if they pay more, they get a better product. Not true. There's plenty of shams or phony producers out to get your money. You can easily spot them if you know what you're looking for. Like, do they own the studio or one of the studios you will be working in? If yes, they're probably cool. If not, you're looking at an additional expense and someone's else overhead. Sometimes people pay for someone's pride or ego.

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

A: Just an acoustic guitar and something to jot down some lyrics.

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

A: Jack of all trades, master of none! I've been a singer, bass player, producer, engineer, 2nd engineer. I have over 20 years of professional experience recording and producing artists in top studios in Nashville and Los Angeles.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: getting older, moving slower but quicker in the thinking part of it! :P

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

A: An up and coming artist. Not someone who's out there already. Someone who has great songs and can go somewhere.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. A tough lesson I've learned a few times over the years. This is why a site like SoundBetter is here!

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

A: Mostly anything with real live studio musicians. Not the programmed stuff. I've recorded everything from rock, pop, R&B, folk, country and bluegrass.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Vocals. As a former recording artist, I know what it's like behind the mic. Being able to sing a phrase to the client over the talkback mic has kept many sessions rolling at ease. I'm also a harmony junkie. Over the past 20 years I've recorded everything from rock, pop, R&B, country and bluegrass. Vocal arrangements are my forte.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: The cool thing about our process is that we have 5 world class musicians in the studio. 2 Engineers, (one in Nashville, One in L.A.) and together we collaborate with the client on how the song should sound. It's like working with over 200 years of experience at the same time with 7 producers on the job.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: After our virtual session, (where we produce the songs remotely through the internet) we focus on the vocals. It doesn't matter who is playing on project, you don't have anything if the vocal doesn't sound good. So we mostly focus on getting the best vocals as possible. Sometimes it takes a few tries.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: DAW: Pro Tools 12, Nuendo. Recording with 2 Universal Apollos. Plugins by UAD & Slate Various high quality large condenser microphones Monitors Focal, Genelec, Yamaha Ns10

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

A: When it comes down to it, Nashville is a small world. I admire all of the session players that play on our tracks. They can be pretty incredible sometimes.

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

A: On average, we record anywhere from 5-10 songs per month for multiple clients. Our clients range from the every day singer-songwriter recording only one song at a time or record labels tracking 5-10 songs in one day with us. We also have a fair share of coming singers from age 10 on up. We offer everything from guitar/ vocal demos to full blown masters with some of the studio musicians you hear on the radio today.