Remote Mixing and Mastering

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

A: One of the first projects I worked on, I collaborated with DJ Sara Simms on a song she produced a while back. I was the vocal engineer on the track. This was my first real project in the music and audio field. Sometimes you need these little things to assure you are doing the thing you want to do and this was one of those moments. Working with Sara Simms, her co producer and the singer in the studio.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Composing tracks for potential collaboration with artist and actively seeking mixing jobs.

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

A: Not personally, there are some engineers I have seen do tutorial videos on youtube for example whom are on soundbetter.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because it has made the process of recording (anywhere), mixing and editing easier. I can bring my laptop with me on the train or on a trip if I need to complete a project. However I still get to have a little analog warmth emulation through some plugins in the mix.

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

A: I will be able to contribute my strong attention to detail, technical ability and creativity.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The creative process of mixing and manipulation sounds to blend or fix well together. To have a pleasing sonic characteristic to the consumers ear.

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

A: How much and how long to completion. Also sample of previous work.

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

A: Thats its easy. And that everyone can do it.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Just detail requirements of their projects. How was it recorded home studio/professional. Has the tracks been tidied up or I may need to do some comping. What are they going for in the required mix/song. Do they want a raw sounding production (every little effects) or a every produced mix (effects, automation etc)

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

A: Trust your mix engineer. Sometimes clients are like example add more reverb. Then the track turns out to have too much reverb. But thats what they wanted. So trust your mix engineers instincts. They want the success of the track in it best form just as you do.

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

A: I don't own a generator yet (but I am now thinking about adding one to my studio setup). But a generator is a most, with my computer, monitors, maschine and a microphone.

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

A: I have a degree in Architectural Design, how ever I have always had an interest in the music and audio field. I have down freelancing/assistant on some musical projects. I have worked in the AV work as a stage hand, setup and operator. Done location recording and had a stint as an Technical production Audio Operator at a sports network in Toronto. My main goal has always been to become premier mix engineer. I have been in the audio field since 2011.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is open to many different ideas. I enjoy many genres of music.

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

A: Kanye West, to see how is inspire from project/song pre development to completion and what drives his artist aspirations

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't work in Isolation, ask for advice even from just friends. Its good to have a second pair of ears listen/mix to your songs.

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

A: Pop and world (reggae/dancehall fusion)

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Editing and mixing.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: If doing productions I can add a more world/commercial type appeal to tracks. I mixing I will do my best to give you a radio ready track.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For Mixing, it would be an assessment of the stems overall. I may comp down files if needed. I may use so important files into RX if any need some cleaning up and check any that may need tuning. Then to start mixing I overall balance, then eq and compression as/if needed. Followed by effects and automation/sweetening.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My main DAW is Studio One Pro. I also use Izotope RX, Logic and Protools alot(If Client Files are in these formats I may mix in them). I am mainly in the box with waves suites. Maschine mk3, akai mk61, an acoustic and electric guitar (and a few pedals). Tons of sample, vst's and east west libraries. An sm57 and AT 2020 microphone. Headphones Bose Quietcomfort 25, Sony MDR 7506 and MDR-XB500. Fostex Professional Monitors and secondary pair of Toshiba's for consumer listening.

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

A: Production wise I have been inspired by Kanye West, Mark Ronson to name a few. I love the instrumental melodies of The Beatles (also a big fan of their music overall from an early age as well) and Bob Marley.

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

A: Mix Engineer cleaning up of audio files and helping underground artist get a cleaner release sound from their recordings.