Experienced Composer, Producer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Besides this interview? Just kidding. I’m finishing up some things like getting my website and online presence sorted. After that, I get to dive into mastering a track for one of my recurring clients. It’s going to need a little rebalancing, so I’ll be pulling out some stems and getting creative with SpectraLayers to isolate some instruments. It’ll be a fun combination of technical problem-solving and creative work - something I’m really looking forward to.

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

A: Not at the moment - I’m still getting my profile set up and digging into this platform, so I haven’t had the chance to connect with others yet. But I’m looking forward to discovering a lot of great talent soon!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: For my music, it’s the beginning of the process, that initial spark of inspiration before the hard work kicks in. That’s when everything feels full of possibility. When I’m working on other people’s music, podcasts, or videos, the most rewarding part is when they’re happy with the result. It feels like I was able to translate their emotions into music they can share with others, and that’s incredibly fulfilling.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I start with the basics - what are you looking for, what’s your vision, who are your favorite artists or inspirations? But I also like to dig deeper and ask, “What does this mean to you?” It’s important to understand the emotional and creative relationship the client has to their project. Music can be a hard language to translate, so I try to build a rapport and really get on the same page with them before diving into the work.

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

A: I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. My first job in audio was mixing for television broadcasts, mainly in sports. Alongside that, I spent years as an independent singer-songwriter, recording my music at home. Once I got my skills up, I started mixing and mastering for friends, and things grew from there. Eventually, I doubled down on my education and attended Berklee College of Music to sharpen my production skills. Since then, I’ve worked in every facet of audio - studio recording, live sound mixing, composing for orchestras, etc. It’s been my full-time job for two decades now, and I’m still learning and evolving every day.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I’ve gained professional experience across many areas - mixing, mastering, composing, live orchestration, TV, and film - so I’m comfortable in a variety of roles. On SoundBetter, I emphasize my ability to set aside my own preferences and fully immerse myself in what the client wants. I dive deep into what they love about their project, focusing on what’s meaningful to them, and my goal is to bring that out. It’s all about creating something they’ll be genuinely excited about.

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

A: I’m really inspired by production legends like Alan Parsons, Stephen Street, and Rick Rubin, all of whom have left a lasting impact on music. As a composer, I draw endless inspiration from classical greats like Stravinsky, Holst, Debussy, and Dvořák - composers whose work transcends their genre. Ultimately, anyone who strives for excellence in their craft motivates me.

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

A: One project I’m especially proud of involved working with an artist who’s relatively new to songwriting and asked me to produce their album. It was a lot of fun to fully produce tracks for them and also guide them through the craft as they improved. Another project I loved was creating long-form music for a popular YouTube show, which is now up on my Spotify page. That was a really fun challenge, and I’m happy with how it turned out.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Why choose one or the other? There’s room for both. Analog is fantastic for getting that “feel,” especially when you’re working with acoustic instruments. Digital tools are incredibly empowering. You can sit down with a great sample library and create an orchestral production that sounds convincing. As long as you don’t lose yourself in the technology, it can be just as inspiring.

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

A: That you’ll be happy with the final product! I’ll bring the same intensity and passion to your project that I bring to my own work. I’ll listen closely to what you want, make the effort to understand your vision, and ensure that by the end of the process, you’ll walk away loving what we’ve created together.

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

A: For clients who are fellow professionals, they might request examples of my work or sometimes a demo that I deliver watermarked. Those who aren’t familiar with the technical side often just ask, “What exactly do you do?” Things like mixing and mastering, especially, can be confusing for people who aren’t in the industry. I try to break it down without diving too deep into the complexities.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that it’s always fun and easy. To really stand out in this field, you have to challenge yourself and strive for perfection, which takes hard work. At the end of the day, the quality of the project is only as good as the hours, focus, and passion you put into it. It’s true that a lot of people fly by the seat of their pants, but at higher levels, everyone is working incredibly hard and fully committed.

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

A: Of course, always send all your files and materials in the highest resolution possible, and be clear about any specific elements you want to keep. If there’s something in the project that you’re really attached to, make sure to communicate that. It helps me approach the production with that in mind, so we’re building on what’s important to you from the start.

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

A: I’d certainly bring my guitar and a piano. Third would be my cajón, which I use to work out percussion ideas and rhythms (plus it’s just fun to play). Fourth would be a metronome because you can tune by ear, but rhythm is something you need a master clock for. Finally, I’d take a pen and paper. I love composing by hand, and it’s my go-to method.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: For my own compositions, I’d describe my style as contemporary classical with cinematic elements. Sometimes it leans into the avant-garde. When I’m working with clients, my style is adaptable. I’ve been trained in everything from modern genres to world music, so I’m able to dive into any genre the project calls for.

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

A: I’d love to work with Stephen Street. I’m a huge fan of Blur, and his production work with them is wonderful. He’s got such a keen ear for complex arrangements while keeping everything focused and cohesive.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don’t just dive in with a bunch of plugins or start arranging for every instrument you have at your fingertips. Take the time to connect with the work, find the heart of the project, and focus on that. Think about how you’ll foster and develop it, and let that be your guiding light throughout the production process.

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

A: I primarily work on pop, rock, and singer-songwriter projects, as well as cinematic and orchestral scores. That’s where my network is currently, but I’m always open to exploring new genres.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I’m great at translating the artist’s vision and emotions into the final track. Feeling the emotion behind their music is the most satisfying part of what I do. As a producer and composer, my job is to take what’s important to them and amplify it, making it even more powerful. That’s always my focus.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My process always begins with finding the inspiration. Whether I’m mixing or producing, I dig into the content, looking for the one element that stands out. It could be a vocal phrase, an instrumental section, or even just a soundbite that defines the track’s character. Once I find it, that becomes the foundation for the rest of the project. From there, it’s all about hard work, long sessions, and attention to detail.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is home-based with a Focusrite Clarett+ interface, Yamaha HS monitor speakers, and a range of monitoring headphones, including my go-to Audeze MM-500s. I also have an extensive software and plugin collection, covering all the major DAWs, Izotope and Waves plugins, Native Instruments, Spitfire libraries, and restoration tools like RX and SpectraLayers. Whatever the project requires, if I don’t already have it, I’ll invest in it.

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

A: I work on a wide range of projects, and most of my clients hire me for hybrid tasks that often require multiple skill sets. This could involve mixing a track that needs additional instrumentation or mastering a song with significant issues in the mix. While the specifics vary, I’m most commonly focused on mixing, mastering, and audio cleanup, along with music production.