Mix Engineer and Songwriter

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm always working on projects for Crabtree Sessions throughout the year as well as little projects for individuals or bands during the winter.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I like to get an analog sound (with real transformers, tubes, op amps, capacitors, and resistors) before my signal hits the digital converter. But how could I get a song to you on this platform without it being in a digital form?

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

A: I will do everything I can to make sure your project gets done in the way you've envisioned.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like connecting with people with a song or project as a bridge. If you aren't happy with the final outcome of a project, I will not be happy either. That's why I'm driven to do everything I can to understand the scope and vibe of the project before hand and it's also why I will spend extra time and energy on making sure all of my clients checkboxes are checked upon completion of the project.

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

A: There's no common denominator. Everyone asks different questions because they all have different concerns and needs.

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

A: That it's simple and anyone could do it with a laptop and some computer speakers.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always ask for reference tracks. I really can't complete a project without them. They are incredibly important. I also ask what the general vision and vibe is for the final product. I also like to define a vision for the "flow" of a song or album.

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

A: Talk with your potential mix engineer before you agree to pass off a project. Get an idea of how they operate. Do your research. Make sure you're hiring the right fit.

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

A: An acoustic guitar, five string banjo, and a harmonica with a neck holder. That is all.

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

A: I've been writing and recording my own music since I was 14 years old. Studied audio engineering in high school and after high school through mentorships and volunteer positions. I started several farm business in Colorado and Maine in my 20's and continued to write and record songs while keeping up on the cutting edge of mixing and recording through my networks of former coworkers and mentors.When I moved to Maine I helped to start a fledgling production company called Crabtree Sessions, where I became the audio production manager and have been involved in all of the audio and video projects that Crabtree Sessions has produced. I have mixed sound for Sierra Ferrell, Dirk Powell, John R Miller, The Harlem Gospel Choir, Angela Autumn, Kassi Valazza, Chris Acker, Sam Gelband, Joe Kaplow, Todd Day Wait

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm thoughtful and contemplative when I mix. I take my time and think about elements of a song alot.

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

A: Old Crow Medicine Show, because their sound is rooted in vintage music,, but they have figure out how to keep a modern sound while sticking to their roots.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: To fix a problem in a mix, think first, how can I fix this problem by removing or improving elements rather than adding more.

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

A: Folk, Acoustic, Rock, and String Music

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to a client/musician and making sure their needs are met as the top priority. I will spend extra time on a project to make sure it's done right.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to think I focus on detail, arrangement, and bringing life to a song while staying within realistic bounds.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Typically, I define my work process based on the client/project needs so the chronology can look different from one to the other. For full-size multitrack studio projects, I have a specific mixing process that I learned from my engineering mentors and have refined over that last few decades to fit my setup and workflow.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I operate a small, but powerful studio space in coastal Maine, where I'm inspired by the coastal landscape and climate daily. My studio consists of a wide array of professional grade equipment. I only use high quality and studio grade instruments, microphones, outboard gear, and monitors to ensure that I am outputting the highest quality sound.

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

A: Engineers: Andrew Scheps, Jaquire King, Sylvia Massy Performers: John R Miller, John Prine, Dirk Powell, Avett Brothers, Old Man Ludecke