Producer, Mixer, Demo Magician

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

A: Brandon Chase is an amazing vocalist and songwriter that I work with a lot. T.J. Carter is another vocalist that I have worked with for a lot of years and she does a fantastic job!

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

A: I started touring at 17 and did that for about 8 years. Bought my first version of pro tools in 2004. Moved to Nashville at 25 and signed my first publishing deal at 27. I am 32 years old and still loving it!

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

A: I love great vocalists. There is something really inspiring about capturing the vocal of someone that is at a different level vocally. I have been really blessed to be able to work with some monster vocalists, but I love Tori Kelly's vocals, haley Reinhart as well. I also really like Billy Currington and Dierks Bently. I think any of them would be really fun to work with.

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

A: To many to name here. I live in a city filled with amazing talent. I learn daily about my craft daily!

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

A: I do a lot of song demos. Songwriters looking to get their song pitch-ready quickly and affordably rely on me to help them do just that. I have worked with writers with multiple number ones all the way to beginners and everyone in-between.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't overproduce! Sometimes less is more.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think my strongest skill is seeing a song through from a rough iPhone recording to a high quality recording that my songwriters are super proud to pitch!

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

A: I have been able to write with and do demos for some of my heroes and that has been really amazing!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Doing a lot of writing and producing!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. They both have a lot to offer. Analog outboard gear will always be my favorite...I like physically turning knobs. There is something about being able to touch something physically and have it affect the sound. I am a Pro Tools guy though with a ton of plugins and visual instruments so that checks the digital box. I could never be a tape only guy. I respect those guys...but it's not me.

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

A: I treat each song as if I was demoing it for my own catalogue. Every song is different. I spend time really digging into the song to create that relationship between the melody, lyric, and production.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to do music...everyday...what's not to like?

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

A: Q: Can I get an instrumental version? A: Sure!

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

A: I get a lot of emails from people asking if I can help them promote their single to radio or if I can pitch their songs to artists for them. I think a lot of people don't understand what a producer does.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How will you be using this recording? What are some references sound wise?

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

A: Listen through samples. Go investigate the provider's website. You really want to find someone who can give you a modern sound. That is so important. An outdated demo can completely ruin a good song's chances.

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

A: probably survival gear...lets be honest!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: As a producer, I tend to be pretty laid back in the studio. Creating a comfortable vibe in the studio is so important for vocalists but also just for the overall outcome of a project.

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

A: I do a lot of different genres on a weekly basis, but most consistently I work on Country, CCM, Pop, and TV/Film styles.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think the biggest advantage that I bring to the table, other than great quality productions, is the fact that I am a staff writer with Centricity Music Publishing so I have my ear to the ground CONSTANTLY. I am getting weekly feedback from several different professionals in the industry telling me what is working and what is not working production wise. So many demos studios are putting out dated sounding demos that may be of great quality, but don't sell the song. As a multi-genre songwriter myself, I think I have done a good job at studying the various markets and taken time to learn what is really working production wise RIGHT NOW which goes such a long way when it comes time to pitch!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: writers typically send me a rough version of their tune along with lyrics. We will discuss any references and style notes that they may have and then I get to work. Typical turn around time is just 48-72 hours compared to the 5-6 week average of most of there demo studios. During times of very high volume, turn around may be closer to a week or 10 days.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Pro Tools 12 as well as Logic Pro. Several Neumann Microphones including the U87. The infamous AKG c12, AKG 414 and many others. Pre's: UA 610, TL Audio, Vintech, Daking, and several others. LA2A compression, Apollo interface as well as Apogee interface. JBL LSR4328p monitors (A's) Even TR5's (Bs)Pro studio environment. Several high end guitars and other instruments.