EDM Producer and Remixer

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

A: I am proud of all of my remixes and when they chart on a domestic record pool or on the Billboard Dance Music chart, it is just confirmation that listeners are enjoying my work. In the end it is just about the music.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently finishing an instrumental chill album that I have worked on and off with since 2014.

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

A: I am new here. I look forward to exploring this community.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: 100% digital. It is both reliable and predictable. The faster I can get an idea captured without gear getting in the way, the better the end result.

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

A: I will incorporate and consider all of your feedback as best to suit the project. My goal is for you to be happy and proud of the end product and that it meets your goals as an artist.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The exploration of each new project and finding a unique way of approaching it. Creativity is king. The more I like something, the better the end result will be.

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

A: How long will this take? It varies on the quality of the original vocals as well as your vision for the project. The more complex a remix, the longer it will take to produce. I am flexible with budgets as well as deadlines. I will accommodate an artist the best way I can.

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

A: That it is something that anyone with a computer and software can do. It takes a trained ear, experience and exposure to a wide array of genres to know what will work with a specific song.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your goal for this project? What artists do you listen to regularly? What subgenre are you targeting? Ex. Tech house, deep house, circuit house. What is your intended audience?

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

A: Record clean vocals free from aural artifacts. Deaden the sound of the room you record in so that we don’t hear it on your recording. Vocals should be dry with minimal processing. They should also be edited and cleanly locked to an obvious tempo. The better the vocals the better the end product. Get creative with harmonies and backing vocals. They can add that special sauce to a recording. Provide me with separate lead vocal and backing vocals on separate tracks.

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

A: MacBook Pro, Protools, Waves Plugins, SoundToys plugins and a Korg Triton keyboard. Hopefully there is power on this island. 🤣

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

A: I have been using ProTools since 2001. I entered the business by starting an online community focused on Independent artist development and promotion. This evolved into running an indie record label (NAJM Records Inc.) and then onto remixing and producing house music. I have been involved in dance music in various capacities for over 25 years.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is melodic and dynamic. I will try to take the listener on a journey by evolving the mix over time. I’m a sucker for great chord progressions and powerful melodic vocals.

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

A: I adore Martha Wash (Weather Girls, Blackbox, C+C Music Factory). Her vocals are powerful and full of energy. She has an outstanding vocal pitch and range. Other artists I would like to work with include Kristine W, Abigail, Plumb, Madonna, Swing Out Sister, Texas and the Pet Shop Boys.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Take breaks between adding new elements to a production. Sometimes I’ll listen to a mix the next day and find elements that no longer sit well in the mix. This can only occur if you give your ears a break between big decisions to ensure you don’t go too far down the wrong path.

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

A: Vocals in just about any genre can translate well into a reimagined dance floor track. I usually work within the broad house genre with exploration into compatible genres such as tech house, deep house, progressive house, trance and even dubstep.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Creativity is my strongest skill. I approach each project from a new perspective that is routed in years of experience of knowing what works and what doesn’t.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a musicality to a song by building harmonies and counter elements that drive the production to a new level. I extract elements of the original vocals and create new effects and loops that create drama and atmosphere in the remix.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I first listen to the artists original mix and their creative intent. Then I edit and pitch correct the vocals into a club friendly BPM (beats per minute or tempo). I then begin by rebuilding the drum and percussion elements followed by bass. Mid range elements such as piano and keyboards are then added. Finally I smooth out the transitions between the various elements by using special effects, hits and various cymbal effects. After that it’s just a matter of balancing the sounds by mixing and dynamic processing.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a Mac based ProTools setup where I remix completely within the digital realm (in box). I have found this to be more stable and reliable as far as equipment goes. I have phased out physical external equipment over the past five years.

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

A: I adore the work of Peter Rauhofer who sadly passed away. His Club 69 remixes raised the bar in production values. I also admire the work of Hex Hector, Tony Moran, Edson Pride among others who continue to pump out dance floor hits.

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

A: I am tasked with taking an artists recorded vocals and producing a new remix that is dance floor and DJ friendly. This includes extended club mixes along with dub and radio edits.