Isaac Blalock on SoundBetter

Mix Engineer, Producer, and Drummer with over 15 years of experience in both studio and live music production. As a highly experienced engineer and seasoned musician, I am equipped and excited to help you see your project through to becoming a work of art that you’re proud of.

What’s up, guys! My name is Isaac Blalock, & I’m excited to have the chance to know you and the opportunity to work on your project. I’ve been a studio mix engineer, session musician, and producer for over 12 years. I have worked on various projects in the CCM, Rock, Country, Pop-Country, Alternative, and R&B genres. I’ve spent 15+ years either playing drums for or mixing FOH in various churches such as Forest Hill Church, Free Chapel, The Cove Church, & many others. I have also worked as a touring Production Manager and FOH Engineer, most notably for the artist Carman. Creating and sharing your music is something that I don’t take lightly. What you create is a reflection of who you are, & my role in what I do is to help you amplify YOUR voice & to achieve your musical aspirations. My studio is set-up with a hybrid of digital & analog gear. I am located in the greater Charlotte, NC area, so if you’re close by, I’d love to welcome you to my studio & we can talk about recording your next single, EP, or album from the ground up. If you are remote, that’s great too! I would love to invite you in digitally as we work on your project together! Whether I’m tracking drums, mixing, or producing your next project, I would consider it an honor to help you! I’d love to hear more about your project, so click on the “Contact” button above and let’s get the conversation started.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

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Interview with Isaac Blalock

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I would take a Nuemann U-87, Apple computer, UA 1176, and a API 550B EQ. I would also have to choose a frying pan. It could double as a percussive instrument and cooking tool. I have to say, I like a good meal and I'm a bit worried about what I would eat without a way to cook on a desert island! A healthy dose of Chick-Fil-A sweet tea will have to be worked in there too!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm currently working on an alt-rock EP. We just tracked EG's and vocals today!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I don't know anyone personally yet, as I'm new to SoundBetter, but I'm looking forward to getting to know some people! I do know, however, that Jake Hartsfield is on SoundBetter and his mixes are fantastic.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog. Less is more. This is what music recordings started with, and I don't believe you can beat the pure and authentic sound that can be captured from analog gear.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to support you through every step in this process. I want you to succeed. I will always be honest with you, and give you 100% of my skills, creativity, and time that I've committed to your project.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love getting to help bring a song from an idea or a rough demo to an incredible fully produced song that fills people with inspiration, excitement, and joy.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is your goal? What is your sound? Who is your target audience?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make sure that the engineer or musician you are looking to hire is more focused on helping you create a project that you are proud of rather than just making a quick buck. Music is so personal, and anyone who is brought into that space with you should really understand how much of a privilege that is. If I feel like another engineer or musician is better suited to helping you achieve your goals, I will always steer you in their direction instead of trying to do it myself. People over pay every time. That's the kind of person you want to find.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I fell in love with music when I was 8 years old, and since then, it has been non-stop music. I started by playing drums and working in large scale production at a church when I was 15. Since then, I've worked as a Production Manager in both church settings and in the touring industry. I've also been working in the studio for over 12 years. I've also had the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented and well-known artists such as Carman, Matthew West, Todd Fields, and Andy Cherry.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is a mix of 2010 Elevation Worship meets Brandon Lake's latest album, "Coat of Many Colors" with roots in the 2011 era of Switchfoot.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: It's between Ben Rector and Hunter Hayes because of their extreme creativity and kindness that they so evidently show. They value people, and it's clearly seen in how they carry themselves throughout their careers. I love their writing and their styles of music.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: You should always know when to stop. If it sounds good, trust your gut. You don't need 10 plug-in's to make a vocal sound good. Most of the time, less is more.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I most frequently work on CCM/Worship & Alternative Rock.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Creativity & Organization
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I have spent years perfecting my craft so that I can bring excellence, flexibility, and creativity to a project that is intentionally representative of YOU as the artist. My biggest job in the studio is to help YOUR project come to life, and I would say that one of my biggest strengths is to be able to achieve that by curating and crafting a project that exemplifies the gifting that you have and that YOU are proud to share with the world.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: This depends on what I'm being asked to do. Producing/Arranging/Recording/Mixing a Song from the Ground Up - I love to hear references of what you're aiming for. After we know that, let's establish key, tempo, arrangement, and lay down a scratch track. From there, I will start laying down some drum ideas and we will finalize the structure and arrangement. Then, we will start adding instrumentation. Once the client is pleased with the arrangement and instrumentation, I will comp and edit, and then begin to mix. Then come the mix revisions, and once you are pleased, I will do the final mix and then it will get mastered. A fair share of M&M's may or may not be consumed during the process. : )
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio is part of my company, Pinewood Productions. Pinewood Productions is a production company whose primary goal is to help artists provide a voice to their gifts through excellence within the craft of music production and recording. With Pinewood Studios, you’ll be encouraged and supported every step of the way as we seek to help make your project come to life in a way that exemplifies the creative gifts you have been given. Our studio is located on a 10-acre heavily wooded property in Sherrills Ford, North Carolina. We believe that a serene and carefully curated space allows for best the creativity when crafting any project. It would be our privilege to invite you into our space for you to create what you have been dreaming of. We are also fully equipped to welcome you into the space virtually if you are looking for remote work. We will always cater to what is most convenient for YOU.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am definitely inspired by John Mayer, Ben Rector, Luke Combs, Hunter Hayes, Switchfoot, Parachute, Elevation, Bethel, Red Rocks Worship, & Brandon Lake. These artists are vastly different, but I am inspired by the tones, lyrics, musicality, mixes, and production these artists continue to release through their music.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I most commonly produce, mix, and track drums for my clients. I just as frequently work in live settings as well mixing FOH and playing drums. If you already have a vision for your project, great! For clients who are still searching for their sound, I also help them discover it.