Hip Hop Mastering Engineer

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

A: I was mastering my own music back when I started producing about 15 years ago. Some people started asking me how I get that sound and I was like "I don't know but I can do it for you". After a while I realised I actually was working more for others than for myself. When I finished my Master's Degree at London College of music I decided to open my own Mastering studio, bought some gear, and it became my everyday job.

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

A: French Montana, his flow is incredible. Ariana Grande, for the production work behind it.

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

A: I've worked with Madonna for her "B*** I'm Madonna" single with Diplo and Nicky Minaj. Being involved in this was something I will forever be proud of.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Constantly working on new stuff. Lots of Dancehall lately which I really enjoy.

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

A: I have mastered songs featuring the singer "Bailey Jehl" and she always sounds incredible, if you even need vocals on you song hit her up.

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

A: I will be delivering what I feel is best for your music according to what you want. I can totally change the sound, or don't do anything if is does not need it. Music Before Ego is my workflow.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to listen to music and work with sound all day, discover new artists and new hype.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: 100% Both, each one has pros and the cons, like the sound of some analog stuff, specially when it comes to summing. But the things you can do with plug-ins is getting ridiculous. I good mix of both world is what I like to do most of the time.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listening is the key. You can do way much more with a single good move than with a million plug-ins.

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

A: I mostly do Hip Hop and Electronic Music. I basically like to work on music I would listen to because I'll now what it needs, plus I really enjoy it.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am always up to date with whatever is released, I think music is moving super fast and so is the technics behind it. I constantly listen to what's new and be ahead of the game as far as production goes.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Whatever is already in there... but on steroids.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Listen to the track a couple of time to get the vibe a do a couple a soft moves, see where I'm going. Then I make it sound good and solid. There is no typical "process", only good listening is the key.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use analog summing because I think the way tracks are mixed together when it come to stems mastering is much better and solid out if analog summing rather than in the box only. But I will use a lot of plug-ins because I can get really chirurgical with them. Really depend on what the track needs.

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

A: I Love all the hip hop production from the US, all the mainstream stuff is really hot. Cardi, Kendrick, Minaj, Travis Scott etc. My other guilty pleasure is the EDM Scene. I love how sounds guys like Major Lazer, Skrillex, Dillon, Rl Grime. The production is so tight, that's the kind of work I like to deliver.

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

A: I am often asked to do Stems mastering, going from 2 tracks (instrumental and vocals) up to 10 tracks. That's what I've been doing the most and that's what I am best at. I think it's the new way to go for a perfect mastering.