Dillon Raley on SoundBetter

Credits include NF, Morgan Evans, Phangs, Brian Nhira, Michael Shynes, and more. Mixes delivered ready to stream and/or for mastering. I prioritize communication and respect your rough mix! Friendly, super easy going.

I was a guitar player in a band when I moved to Tennessee in 2010. Touring as a musician quickly turned into mixing live shows at FOH, which led to recording and mixing in the studio, which led to a full time focus on mixing in my studio here in Nashville. Mixing is both creative and technical, and it's something I'm extremely passionate about doing with a sense of artistry and also simplicity.

I've worked with so many artists in the last decade, and I've had songs come across my desk with both struggling productions, as well as those that needed just a bit of help getting to the finish line. Either way, I'm always going to do whatever it takes to get the most out of your production. Whether that's additional editing, tuning, pocketing, etc - I'm never going to skip a step in delivering you something that you're pumped about. I mix fully in the box for easy recall, and I try to purchase every plugin used in any session I receive for compatibility and efficiency.

I'll also be honest if I feel like I'm not the best fit for what you're looking for! I specialize in Pop, Rock, and Country/Alternative, but I'm more than willing to take a swing at your project if it lives in another genre!

Please reach out, I'm happy to chat about your project and your budget or answer any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you!

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

1 Reviews

Endorse Dillon Raley

by Charlie Berry
Dillon always kills it. Punchy and clear. I will definitely be working with him again!

Interview with Dillon Raley

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recorded a live album at the Sydney Opera House with a band I mix in September. From helping with the show, to designing the audio system, choosing microphones etc, nearly the entire project was my responsibility. I edited and mixed, working with the artist to fulfill his vision. Really pumped about it - it’ll be released soon.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A few things. Mixing some film/tv tunes and helping a singer build their vocal reel
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Yes. Ask me!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I prefer the analog vibe for recording, and digital workflow for mixing. Maybe a couple outboard things on a master bus.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I’ll mix your song as if it were my own.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love where creativity meets technicality. It takes both an ear for the music and understanding of technical elements - physics, software, workflow, etc. to mix.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: -Is the snare too loud? -no
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: The more gear they have, the better they must be
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have a song I should reference as I build the mix? How close do you feel your rough mix is to what you hear in your head? Did you remember to deselect “include volume/pan automation” when you exported tracks from logic?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Don’t be overwhelmed by the options. Listen to someone’s work, have a conversation, go with your gut!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop, protools, headphones, flint, knife
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I spent 10 years playing music and dabbling in mixing, and I’ve spent the last decade mixing and dabbling in playing.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I mix intentionally and try never to overcomplicate the process. I use what I know in order to achieve the best result as efficiently as possible
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I love working with artists who are earlier on in their careers who know their sound and are confident in their productions. I love to see potential and do my best to help maximize it!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Room acoustics/treatment is absolutely the most important factor when it comes to production and translation
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Pop, Alt-Rock/Pop, Country
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Hearing the finished product in my head, and then doing whatever it takes to get there.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Musicality, dynamics, punch
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Tracks/sessions are always cleaned up, timings/tunings checked and adjusted if necessary. Initial balance often built using clip gain. Then, depending if I’m sent a full session or individual tracks I’ll either mix top-down or start with drums! I’ll add in vocals to create that balance and then bring in the other instruments.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I mix fully in the box with Protools. Main monitors and sub are Adam, I also have a pair of Avantone Mixcubes and a Slate VSX system for occasional extra referencing.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Serban Ghenea, Michael Brauer, Chris Lord Alge, Manny Marroquin, Malay
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing - Editing