Producer, Mixing & Mastering

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

A: I don't think I could pick just one. I feel like that could offend some of my clients. I view my career as one huge project, with the overall goal to help serve as many people as possible. Let's work!!!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on several synch projects, I am writing and sending and pitching both songs and tracks to A list artists and A list producers. I am also working on a few collaborations with some top DJs, which I cannot name because that would ruin the release :).

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

A: Celica Gray will be joining SoundBetter, her vocals are incredible. Shes also a dope producer and vocal producer. She was featured on NBC's The Voice. We have collaborated on tons of projects together, both paid and on spec. I hire her for vocals when a client needs female vocal, and I have also hired her for co-producing and vocal production.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I have tons of experience using both. But when it comes down to it, I rely on my digital workstation for the bulk of my projects.

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

A: You will be able to hear your voice/song/production in a way you never have before. And if you have already worked with me then I continue that promise with my clients to not let you down on that expectation.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love the act of completion. I love to see the hard work of all the members involved pay off in the final listen down. I find the most inspiration to work my hardest for that particular reaction.

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

A: Typically I work on last-second demand, people typically want to know if they can rely on me to pull off a track or a mix in a short amount of time. My answer almost always is -YES.

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

A: If there are misconceptions, I am not aware of them. Lol.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I typically first handle budgets. Next, I like to dive right into expectations, which involve asking for references or a general sense of direction for which we will be creating(for a release, for a label, for a TV and Synch Licensing pitch etc.) These things get me inspired and help roll the momentum. I like to know these things before we start working as they provide me with a clear direction and an idea of the realistic amount of time we have to execute the project.

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

A: Once we get the money sorted and out of the way, I am a people pleaser. I want to make your music fulfilling for you and the experience to be something that progresses your career. Be motivated and dedicated to your sound and I will be most inspired.

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

A: Laptop, APPOLLO TWIN Interface, ELAM 251 Microphone, Monitors, Subwoofer

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

A: Music. I have been professionally sustaining myself as a music producer for over five years now.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Mathmatical. I hear math in music everywhere. If yall out there are fans of max martin you know what I am talking about ;)

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

A: Post Malone. In my opinion he's the best melodist of our generation of artists. And no matter what song he sings he retains a sense of cool factor that no one can top.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Form your mix around your kick drum. For all those out there not far in your mixing and production journey that might not mean a whole lot to you, but for more experienced listeners and mixers/engineers, you'll soon realize the importance of that "step 1" sort of approach.

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

A: Pop, EDM, Urban Pop, Trap-Hip Hop

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My ear. Listening. It helps me in everything I do including production, mixing, and songwriting. I have been tested to be able to hear on perfect pitch, but I am not trained enough, in music-theory, to fully past the test. Meaning, I don't know the name of the note when you play it, but I can tell you when it is even the smallest fraction out of tune or time. I also have great memory recall for EQ curves across genres. I have studied a mathematical approach that has ingrained the correlations with the balancing process of frequencies.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring creative expansion, extrapolation, vibe, and instinct. I pride my self on stretching the comfort zone of song's original form. I am not afraid to take drastic steps to make a song feel "right" to my ear, and I am also not afraid of change. My instincts help me to hear corrective moves pretty easily, and from there the creative parts of my mind will run wild. All to say, I move extremely fast with my decision-making process, which give my clients a unique sound at a very quick return rate. I feel the power is to capture in the fresh momentum of a newly created idea before that creative momentum becomes stale.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depending on the gig, I typically start with creative brainstorming. I always create a flow of organization every time I create that makes it very easy to stay organized. Each time I approach producing or mixing a song, I start by making the overall song arrangement and flow. From there on I will take care of all the micro details and minor adjustments and additives that give the overall feel a form and flow that has a competitive edge to the end result.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I currently have access to several situations for studio usage in Los Angeles. I have my own home studio, which allows me to handle production, mixing and instrumental work. I have several studio owner partners that will give me great deals on studio time whenever I am executing with an artist in person, and I have free access to three studios through my publishing deal as long as I have co-writing credit in relation to the usage of those commercial studios (North Hollywood).

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

A: I am inspired by a lot of different people. Production legends that really inspire me include Max Martin, Skrillex, Diplo,

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

A: I work in a variety of ways really. With the increase in technology and the ability to work remotely, I have developed methods of collaborating with people without having to be there in person in the room. The most common types of work my clients hire me for are: instrumental production, song-writing, vocal producing, vocal mixing, full song mixes, mastering, vocal editing, timing, and tuning, and adding additional production to take their song to completion.