Sage Anthony on SoundBetter

I've worked at every level, from bedroom demos to Abbey Road. Every project starts with a quick video chat. The fastest route to a mix you love is telling me what you're hearing in your head before I touch any faders. You send the files, I mix to your notes, and we finish together in a remote session. Digital masters included, ready to upload.

Our first call is thirty minutes, and it's where we discuss the specifics. What the songs are about, what records you keep coming back to, what you want people to feel on the first listen, where this is going when it's done. I take notes. Those notes are what I mix against, so we're not guessing at each other later.

Once we've agreed on the scope and the timeline, you send the raw files and I go to work. When it's right from my side, you get the mixes to live with for a few days. Play them in the car, in your favorite headphones, on the speakers you know. Send me your notes and I'll do a final revision pass. Three rounds are included, and most projects only use one or two.

If you want to be "in the room" for the finish, we can open a remote session and make the last changes while you listen. You describe what you're after and I make the move, then we hear it together and decide. The things that are harder to put into words get sorted out in a few minutes, in real time.

You get the final mixes plus digital masters, ready to upload. Streaming masters are part of the mix. If you're cutting vinyl, that's a different animal, and I'll recommend a vinyl mastering specialist with a lathe.

I like to work with independent artists. Indie rock, folk, Americana, singer songwriters. Artists who are passionate about their music.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Credits

Languages

English

Endorse Sage Anthony2 Reviews

by Leonardo Giuliani
Working with Sage was, and is, a delight from start to finish. His technical prowess, attention to detail, and passion for music exceeded my expectations. The collaboration was seamless, with prompt professionalism and invaluable creative input. If you're seeking a top-notch audio engineer, and also a great hang, look no further than Sage.
by Daniel Souvigny
My time working with Sage has been nothing but an incredible experience. Balancing artistry, professionalism and an incredible work ethic, his ability shines thru on every project, be it in the studio or live.

Interview with Sage Anthony

Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Creativity and Positivity. If you have an idea, we will help it grow together.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to use a hybrid approach of combining the latest technology and the flexibility digital audio workstations, but I also believe firmly in performing the final mixdown in a proper recording studio. I don't believe you need 192 tracks or piles of the newest technology to make a great album. I just need a nice room, a few high-quality well-placed microphones, a handful of nice preamps, some time, and a lot of heart. Depending upon the clients desires and budget I can perform the final mix-down on your preferred console choice of from Neve, SSL, and API. I collaborate directly with many excellent recording studios around the world, and I have direct access to mix in some of the most prestigious studios and mix stages available worldwide.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Because each domain has benefits and drawbacks. Digital recording techniques offer a speed and consistency that analog never did. That said, there is still a lot of analog equipment manufactured in the 1960's and 1970's that can sounds warmer and richer than anything available on the market today. I prefer to use a hybrid approach utilizing the best of both worlds.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise that I will care deeply, and pour my heart into any project I accept. That I will push for your album or song to be a sonic masterpiece. That I will use all of my experience to bring your projects to successful completion.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: If you work in the studio you can't do live, or vice versa. I will work in any aspect of music production that moves my soul. I love creating albums in the studio, and I love seeing a piece of work come to life in the live setting.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don't be intimidated by costs or your current level of preparation. If you have an idea, and I like the music, we will find a way to make it work. The music and creative relationships are more important than anything else.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I began in this industry as a 16 year old kid that just loved going to concerts, and got lucky enough to be given the opportunity to work in the industry. In my early 20s I went on to study Recording Engineering at Omega studios in Bethesda, MD. Since then I've worked for a number of different recording studios, bands and artists. I've circled the globe more than a few times mixing FOH and IEMS for a number of Grammy Award winning artists. I've seen the technology change and expand drastically over the years, and I've tried to embrace all of these changes. I've had the pleasure at mixing at some of the worlds most renowned venues including Red Rocks, the Hollywood Bowl, and Montreux Jazz Fest. For several years I also served as as Professor of Live sound and Studio Production at the University of Vermont, and I still enjoy teaching and mentoring to this day. When I am not on the road I truly enjoy working with singer-songwriters and independent musicians on long format albums, and film projects. Let the music be your guide.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: The most important thing is to listen, and to feel the music. Even if I’m mixing on the best recording console in the world, it won’t make a bad song into a hit. The goal is to build strong relationships with my fellow musicians, so that we all feel comfortable in the studio when we are recording. It’s better to have one good take with high energy and emotion then pasting together 10 different, takes to make a song “work”. The most important thing is to capture the raw emotion in a song. No amount of equipment can remanufacture that.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Preproduction is done “in the box” inside of Logic Pro X or Avid Pro Tools. I have a wide variety of plug-in sets from Waves, UE, and Native Instruments. I then collaborate with several recording studios to perform the final mixes. This this method allows me to carry over many studio settings into the live setting as well.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I’ve had to pleasure to work in nearly every genre of music. Blues, rock, alternative, country, jazz, EDM, dance music, rap, hip-hop, reggae, and symphonic scoring for film. At this point in my career, I am most interested in working with modern indie rock groups, singer-songwriters, and professional musicians looking to create long format compositions.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I spend about 40% of my time mixing in the studio, and about 60% of they year "On the road" Mixing FOH or IEMs for Grammy Award winning artists. I tour internationally for many months of the year so, I have established close relationships with many audio companies, venues, and professional recording studios in London, Rome, NYC, LA, Chicago and Nashville.