Vocal Mixing, Mastering

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

A: One project I’m especially proud of is my album 404 Genre Not Found. It’s a multi-genre project that blends hip-hop, rock, pop, country, R&B, and soul, which really challenged me to approach each track differently instead of relying on one consistent style. Every song required its own sound, its own vocal treatment, and its own mix approach. My role on the project was everything from start to finish. I handled the vocal recording, mixing, mastering, and overall sound direction. It gave me the opportunity to really showcase my ability to adapt across genres while still keeping everything sounding clean, cohesive, and professional. What makes this project stand out to me is that it represents my full range, not just as an artist, but as an engineer. It shows that I can take different styles and still deliver a polished, release-ready result on every track.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Most of what I’m working on at the moment is private or not yet released. I’m consistently working with artists on new music across multiple styles, focusing on vocal mixing, tuning, and getting tracks ready for release. I prefer to keep current projects confidential until they’re out, but everything I’m working on is centered around delivering clean, modern, professional sound.

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

A: I’m always focused on delivering the best possible result for my clients, so I don’t typically refer people out. If someone comes to me, it’s because they want my sound and my approach, and I take that seriously. I’m confident in what I do and the quality I deliver, so I focus on making sure every client gets exactly what they came for. If for some reason I felt I wasn’t the right fit for a project, I’d be honest about it, but in most cases, I can get the job done at a high level.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital, without a doubt. Digital gives me full control, precision, and consistency on every track. I can move fast, make exact adjustments, and recall sessions instantly without losing anything. That’s huge when it comes to dialing in vocals and making sure everything sounds right. It also allows me to use the best tools available today, especially for vocal processing and tuning. I can get a clean, modern, industry-level sound without being limited by hardware. At the end of the day, it’s not about analog vs digital, it’s about the result, and digital lets me deliver a professional, release-ready sound every time.

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

A: My promise is simple: I’m going to make your vocals sound clean, professional, and ready to release. I treat every track like it’s my own, paying attention to the details that make the difference between an average mix and something you’re actually proud to put out. I’ll make sure your vocals sit right, hit the way they should, and match the sound you’re going for. I also keep the process smooth and straightforward. Clear communication, fast turnaround, and no unnecessary back and forth. At the end of the day, you’re getting a mix that sounds right and a final product you can confidently release.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I like most is hearing a song go from raw to finished. There’s a big difference between hearing dry vocals and hearing them fully mixed, tuned, and sitting perfectly in the track. That transformation never gets old to me. I also enjoy helping artists bring their vision to life. A lot of times they know what they want the song to feel like, but not how to get it there, and that’s where I come in. At the end of the day, I just like making things sound right. When everything clicks and the vocals feel clean, balanced, and ready for release, that’s the best part.

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

A: One of the most common questions I get is: “Can you make my vocals sound professional?” My answer is yes, as long as the recording is solid. I can clean, enhance, and shape your vocals to sound clear, balanced, and release-ready, but the better the original recording, the better the final result will be. Another question I get a lot is: “Do you use Auto-Tune?” Yes, and it’s one of my strongest areas. Whether you want subtle pitch correction or a fully melodic, stylized sound, I know how to dial it in so it sounds clean and intentional, not overdone. I also get asked about turnaround time. Most projects are completed quickly depending on the size of the session, and I always communicate clearly so you know exactly what to expect. At the end of the day, my goal is to make the process simple and deliver a final product you’re confident releasing.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that mixing and mastering can “fix anything.” A lot of people think you can take a poorly recorded vocal and turn it into a professional record just by adding plugins. The reality is, the quality of the recording and performance matters just as much as the mix. Another misconception is that more effects = better sound. In most cases, it’s the opposite. A clean, well-balanced vocal with the right amount of processing will always sound better than something overprocessed. What I actually do is enhance what’s already there, clean it up, shape it, and make sure it translates like a finished record. When the foundation is solid, that’s when the mix really shines.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Before I start a project, I like to get a clear understanding of the sound you’re going for so I can deliver exactly what you need. Here are a few things I typically ask: What kind of sound or vibe are you going for? Do you have any reference tracks you want me to match? Are you looking for natural vocals or a more tuned/melodic style? Do you want effects like reverb/delay kept subtle or more noticeable? Are your vocals recorded clean (no clipping, minimal background noise)? How many stems are included in the session? What’s your deadline or turnaround expectation? These questions help me lock in your vision early and avoid unnecessary revisions, so you get a final product that’s on point the first time.

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

A: Make sure you’re choosing someone who understands your sound, not just someone offering the lowest price. A good mix isn’t just about throwing plugins on vocals, it’s about knowing how to shape the sound so it fits your style and feels like a finished record. Take the time to listen to an engineer’s previous work and make sure their sound matches what you’re going for. Also, send clean, organized files. The better your recordings are, the better your final result will be. A strong vocal performance and a clean recording go a long way. Most importantly, communicate what you want. Reference tracks, notes, and clear direction help get you the exact result you’re looking for. If you do those things, you’ll get a much better outcome regardless of who you work with.

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

A: If I had to keep it simple and still be able to create, I’d go with: REAPER loaded on a reliable laptop Bluebird Baby Bottle microphone for clean vocal recording Arturia audio interface Auto-Tune because I’m not going anywhere without it A solid pair of studio headphones for accurate monitoring That setup is more than enough for me to record, mix, and deliver a professional track anywhere. Keep it simple and make it sound right.

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

A: I’ve been working in music for over 20 years, 22 to be exact, starting with recording and mixing my own music and gradually expanding to working with other artists. Over time, I developed my sound through hands-on experience, learning what actually works in real records, not just theory. As my mixing and vocal work improved, I began working more consistently with artists who wanted a cleaner, more professional sound. In 2020, I was signed to Kevin Gates, which was a big milestone and a direct reflection of the quality and consistency of my work, especially on the mixing side. At this point, I bring over two decades of experience into every track, with a focus on delivering modern, release-ready vocals that artists can be confident putting out.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is clean, modern, and vocal-focused. I focus on making vocals the centerpiece of the track, making sure they cut through clearly while still feeling natural and full of energy. Whether it’s a hard rap verse or a melodic hook, I aim for a sound that’s polished, balanced, and ready for release. A big part of my style is precision with vocal tuning. I make sure everything sounds intentional, not overdone, so the final result feels professional but still authentic to the artist. Overall, my approach is about clarity, emotion, and making sure the song translates across any system without losing its impact.

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

A: I’d like to work with Drake. He’s one of the best examples of an artist who blends multiple genres while still keeping a consistent, recognizable sound. Whether it’s rap, melodic tracks, or more emotional records, his vocals are always clean, intentional, and sit perfectly in the mix. That level of versatility and attention to detail is something I respect and try to bring into my own work. Being able to contribute to that kind of sound at a high level would be a great opportunity.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don’t overprocess your vocals trying to fix a bad recording, get the source as clean as possible first. A lot of artists stack plugins trying to force their vocals to sound professional, but if the recording is off, no amount of EQ, compression, or effects will fully fix it. Focus on getting a clean take with good mic placement, consistent volume, and minimal background noise. Once the foundation is solid, everything else becomes easier, and your mix will sound cleaner without doing too much.

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

A: I’m a multi-genre engineer, because that’s the same approach I take with my own music. While I primarily work in hip-hop and melodic rap, my sound blends elements of pop, rock, country, R&B, and soul. That gives me the ability to adapt to different styles and not treat every track the same. Whether it’s hard-hitting rap, melodic vocals, or more emotional, genre-blending records, I focus on what the song actually needs. Some tracks call for clean, upfront vocals, others need space, texture, and feeling, and I know how to approach both. Because I work across multiple genres, I’m able to help artists shape a sound that feels unique instead of boxed into one style. If your music doesn’t fit into just one lane, you’re in the right place.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is vocal tuning and knowing how to make vocals sit perfectly in a mix. I have a very strong ear for pitch, timing, and tone, which allows me to dial in vocals so they sound clean, natural, and intentional. Whether it’s subtle correction or a fully melodic, autotuned sound, I know how to get it right without it sounding overprocessed. A lot of engineers can mix, but not everyone can tune vocals at a high level. That’s something I’ve spent years refining, and it’s one of the main reasons artists trust me with their sound and keep coming back. On top of that, I understand how vocals should sit in modern music, so everything I touch is focused on clarity, presence, and a professional, release-ready result.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring clarity, balance, and a professional sound that makes your vocals stand out the way they’re supposed to. A lot of artists can record a good song, but the mix is what takes it from sounding “okay” to something you’d actually release. I focus on making your vocals sit perfectly in the beat, cutting through with the right presence while still keeping the emotion and character of your voice. One of the biggest things I bring is elite-level vocal tuning. Whether you want subtle pitch correction or a fully melodic, stylized sound, I know how to dial it in so it sounds clean, intentional, and not overdone. That’s something a lot of engineers struggle with, and it’s a big reason artists keep coming back. I also bring consistency. Every track is treated with attention to detail, making sure it translates across headphones, cars, and streaming platforms without losing quality. At the end of the day, I’m here to make sure your song sounds like something you’d be confident putting out to the world.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Step 1: File Review You send over your vocal stems and beat (WAV preferred). I’ll review everything to make sure the files are clean and ready. Step 2: Vocal Processing & Tuning I dial in the vocals with EQ, compression, and detailed pitch correction using Auto-Tune. Whether you want natural or fully melodic, I lock in the tone first. Step 3: Mixing Once the vocals are clean and tuned, I blend everything into the track. This includes leveling, reverb, delay, and making sure your vocals sit perfectly in the beat. Step 4: Mastering After the mix is finalized, I master the track so it’s loud, clean, and ready for release on all platforms. Step 5: Revisions (if needed) I’ll make any adjustments needed to make sure you’re fully satisfied with the final result. My goal is always the same: deliver a polished, release-ready track that sounds professional and still feels true to your vision.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run a streamlined home studio setup built specifically for high-quality vocal production. I record through a Bluebird Baby Bottle microphone, capturing clean, detailed vocals that translate perfectly into the mix. All sessions are run through REAPER, which allows me to customize my workflow and get precise control over every aspect of the mix. I use industry-standard plugins for EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and mastering, ensuring a clean, modern, and professional sound across all platforms. One of my biggest strengths is vocal tuning. I work extensively with Auto-Tune to dial in everything from natural pitch correction to fully melodic, stylized vocals. I’ve had artists tell me nobody tunes vocals the way I do, and I bring that same level of precision and attention to detail to every track. My setup is designed for efficiency, quality, and consistency, so every mix comes out clean, polished, and ready for release.

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

A: I’m inspired by artists and engineers who prioritize clean, powerful vocals and consistent sound quality. Artists like Kevin Gates, Drake, and Future have always stood out to me because of how their vocals sit perfectly in the mix and carry emotion while still sounding polished. On the production and engineering side, I respect people like Alex Tumay and Jaycen Joshua who consistently deliver clean, modern, industry-level mixes. Their attention to detail and ability to make vocals cut through without overprocessing is something I always aim for in my own work. Overall, I’m inspired by anyone who can balance clarity, energy, and emotion while keeping the sound professional and competitive.

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

A: Most of the work I do is vocal mixing and mastering for hip-hop and melodic rap artists looking to get a clean, professional, release-ready sound. Clients typically send me their raw vocal stems and a beat, and I handle everything from leveling and EQ to compression, effects, and vocal tuning if needed. My goal is always to make the vocals sit perfectly in the track, cut through clearly, and match the energy of the record without sounding overprocessed. A lot of artists come to me after trying to mix their own vocals and not getting the clarity or punch they’re looking for, so I focus on delivering a polished final product that translates well on all platforms, whether it’s streaming, YouTube, or in the car. Most projects are completed as a full mix and master, ready for immediate release.