Mix/Produce/Compose/Train

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

A: I promise my clients that they will literally hate the first version of their first professional mix ! Why ? Because when you spent so much time on your project, even if your version is not perfect, it’s the reference for you. So any other version, even if crafted with love by a skilled mixer simply can’t compete, because a lot of things should hopefully differ from your loved but not competitive enough version ! It’s the moment when you need to let go and to trust the professional you hired. Keep thinking that he or she knows what he (or she) is doing. Just stay opened and explain to him what is to be changed and what you like. Because you don’t know it now, but you are really close to be really happy with this mix. That’s why revisions exists. The first time is always special…

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Doing music all day long is so good ! It's the best way to carry emotions. So, even if it's a difficult job, the rewards are numerous. It's always a pleasure to produce and achieve great results, for my bands or my customers.

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

A: Try just one track. And let see what happens...

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

A: My piano, guitar and cajon, since there is nothing like power AC in a desert island...

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

A: I learned the keyboard by myself at 3, the drum at 6 and I started producing at 13. I used to dislike the sound recorded by studios when I played the drum, so I eventually decided to learn how to work on an analog console. I started to produce and sound design at UBI Studio, the first UBI Soft game development team, in Brittany (north west of France), then I moved to Paris and started to work in pro studios first as a MIDI programmer, performer and I became a label producer for around ten years. How long ? 30 years of music production, 25 years of mixing and producers training and 15 years of mastering.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, my captain. Today, we are lucky enough to be able to work both in analog and digital domain. Hybrid studios provide the best compromises between a fast workflow and a big sound. Personally, I love analog for tracking, summing and monitoring. I love digital to produce, record, edit, mix and master without having a tape recorder wasting my time by rewinding, half the studio time. I also love digital because I can use all the flavours the world has to offer without being drowner by maintainance...

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

A: Q : Could you master my production for me to hit the charts ? A : Wouldn't you rather let me listen to your production and tell you if mastering is what you really need ?

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

A: People tend not to know exactly what differs in these step of the production : composition, writing, arranging, performing, recording, editing, mixing and mastering, so they often think that a mix includes all other production steps... It's not.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is creating meaningful music and an emotion-based storytelling with a solid sound. I don't care about the music style, in fact. What I care About is people, when they are positive, opened and driven.

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

A: My favourite music productions are "flavoured" pop. For example, pop songs with alien singer and an urban production like Massive Attack is a treat for me. I'm often asked to work on Electronic Music, like House music, Techno, Chillout because People like my released tracks from labels like Get Physical, Off Recording or Azzur Music.

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

A: Nowadays, I'm specialised in mixing, mastering and producers training because people tend to think that they can record like pros... Finally, it's rarely the case...

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: First, I never apply recipes. Second, I don't impose my music tastes. I bring what the song tell me to : meaning, more than life effect and emotion. The way to sublime these elements depends on the project. When needed, my work can be delicate or brutal, polished or raw, intimate or distant, joyful or serious...

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I can sense plagiarism from miles away ! Also, since I already worked on every spots on the production chain, I can understand what my customers are experiencing and lacking. So, my solutions feels like it's coming from nowhere. ;-)

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I always start with a good conversation. I need to be sure about my customers goals and preferences. I try to understand the artistic and technical vision of my producers to be able to bring their projects to the next level, while respecting their vision.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Know your goal before starting, prepare a lot and don't overcook your work.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Simple and efficient. Control room with great acoustic treatment, Focal Solo 6be, Dangerous D-Box, Amek DMCL, Macintosh, Logic Pro X, Sonnox, SoundToys, Slate Digital, iZotope...

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

A: Professionals : Trevor Horn, Quincy Jones, Mike Stent, Andrew Scheps, Tchad Blake, Manny Maroquin, Dave Kutch... Artists : Jill Scott, Massive Attack, Depeche Mode, Frank Wiedemann, Incognito, Leonard Bernstein, Michael Jackson, Prince, Sting, Danny Elfmann, Radio Head, Wendy Carlos, Deadmau5, Bjork...