Recording / Mixing Engineer

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

A: A folk rock album I produced mixed for Irish band Tanya & the Whiskey Princes huge collective of muscians honoring a couple of musicians that passed away during the production their spirit lived on through the music.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Debut album for a Belfast Alt rock band Divides Unfold EP for Belfast indie band Kylda

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

A: Not personally but I'm a fan of Jaycen Joshua not sure if he's on the platform.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: 2024 and still very much both In the box all the way but still some Analog on the way in and in post why? because its fun!

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

A: "Do or do not. There is no try" haha I'll do everything possible to make their vision a reality.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Completely new challenges everytime and meeting new and interesting people

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

A: Can you make me sound excatly like "insert favourite musician" I can make you sound like you!

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

A: Paint by numbers one size fits all AI will replace us all.. Mixing and creativeness are of the human condition as are all forms of art

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Usually deadlines and demos or rough mixes and other references

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

A: Ask as many questions about the process as you need to know. Invest time in your projects to make sure its were it needs to be..

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

A: A Satellite phone petrol lighter harmonica accoustic guitar and a barrel of rum

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

A: Child labour I was a roadie for my dad from the age of 10 grew up around musical family started of learning live reinforcement on the road with him then took an interest in recorded sound and started messing with Tascam 4 track portastudio Cubase 3.1 on Atari ST as years went by it eveloved.. I've been producing recording and mixing on and off for 25 years..

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Personality easy going & approachable Mixing production Darkside Brightside edge Boom & Slap

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

A: Dead or Alive? Myles "Richard Bass" Kennedy super rock chanter maybe 50's Elvis

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Get the sounds you want at source watch for click bleed keep the timing tight tune your vocals as you want to hear them before sending to mix have a good rough mix or reference to send along Label you session tracks logicallly make sure instrument DI's are in good shape if any reampng is required.

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

A: Mostly Rock Heavy Rock Alt Rock Metal and a fair bit of Country

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Honesty in regards to the project and artist psychology reading the room getting the best out of artists and being a good hang..

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to serve a song as much as possible and treat it with the artists vision in mind and I guess imprint some of my own taste to the mix

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When I get asked about making a record I typically listen to a band or artists previous work a demo or live performance to see what they are about and what they have already done.Often if they are local to me I'd invite the client to a pre production session to play live for me. When it comes to a mix I would ask the artist to send me references if they are into another artists sound. I would also listen to the rough mix that is sent to hear if there is anything specific or vital that I should keep in my mix.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Okay lets see... I mix pretty much in the box 100% of the time these days Nuendo Logic Pro but still do a fair bit of analog processing usually on the way in. So a hybrid appoach I suppose I rarely sum outside the box full recall in the box saves a lot of time. chioce pres API A-Designs Neve then 1176 Fatso and Distressor Lynx Aurora 16x2 Antolope OCX clock A good slection and Amps and cabs and pedals.. Studio is about 1200 square feet split between three rooms.

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

A: I'm fan of Jaycen Joshua & Daniel Salcido I like their mixes. I'm inspired by many musicians quite a few from our own green island

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

A: At my own studio I'd do pre production on songs recording full projects then Mix sometimes master although I normally send mixes out to be mastered depending on the budget involved. I also mix and master online.