Mixing and Mastering From Afar

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

A: I produced a new artist named Isabelle Anya. It was her first time in the studio and it was a joy walking through the process. I did all the engineering throughout (tracking, edit, mix, master) as well as produced the track and snuck in tracking a few guitar and bass parts as well.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Just finished an EDM/ Drumline track. Next up is a whole project focused around drums.

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

A: I'm new around here! Looking forward to making connections.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. There's no substitute for the right mic and preamp. If you screw that up nothing else will work down the line. But! Once it hits the converter, the recallability of digital comes into play. It starts at the source. If you come into Pro Tools with good analog, then your digital processing will be just fine to get a great end product.

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

A: I will care. I don't take your art lightly.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The music. Getting to hear and be a part of a recording the world has never heard before is such an engaging and rewarding experience.

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

A: How do we get this done? The response: it all depends on your goals. I've recorded records in commercial spaces, I've done them in clients' homes. Gotta find the right fit!

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

A: That I must know everything about audio. I'm a fountain of technical jargon and that tends to make people think I have everything down to a science. I realize, though, that's there's always so much more to learn. I'm always looking for a new approach to get a better sound.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who do you want to sound like? Do you have a clear vision or do I need to help you see new opportunities you haven't discovered yet?

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

A: Trust the professionals. We're here to see your vision accomplished, but we also don't want to see you make poor decisions. Every decision and recommendation we make is to help your music sound its best.

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

A: 1. A Mac (Duh) 2. UA Apollo X8p (so flexible!) 3. Alclair Studio 4 IEMs (gotta listen on something) 4. SM57 (great for almost anything) 5. DPA 2011 (Great for everything else)

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

A: Music school -> FOH/ monitors gigs -> full time studio engineer/ production director for a megachurch. All this while running a business doing all things sound: acoustics consultation, systems integration, design/ install, you name it.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Clean. I like to find a sonic home for every source. You recorded everything, don't you want to hear it all?

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

A: Wild Rivers. Their sound is compelling, authentic, and their arrangements are quite simply a vibe.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Get it right at the source. Fixing it in the mix doesn't exist, only crisis management.

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

A: Worship/ Christian and Singer/ Songwriter

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing live recordings is a very well oiled practice for me.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A commitment to the artist, passion for my role, and an unhealthy attention to detail.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Clients will come to me with tracks, I mix (or master) them (sometimes overdubs first), we talk, I tweak, happy clients.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Focal Alpha 65 EVO monitors fed by a Universal Audio X8P for conversion. Canare cable in between with Neutrik connectors. Terminated them myself. Running Pro Tools Studio with plugins by Universal Audio, Waves, Slate, Native Instruments, SIR Audio Tools, Avid, and many more. I personally tuned the room through several years of (and always ongoing) upgrades using Room EQ wizard and a heck of a lot of bass trapping.

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

A: CLA for his boldness to turn knobs all the way. Vance Powell for his commitment to real sources. Dave Cobb for keeping tracks authentic.

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

A: Most of the work I do is mixing in different capacities, live and studio. I also host clients and produce tracks in my studio - taking them through to masters. Sometimes we start with nothing, other times we start with something. We always end with a mastered track.