Producing, mixing & mastering

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Depends on your goal, the material, and what are your possible options towards reaching that goal... Sure I love the sound of true analog machines (most of my external synths and fx boxes are analog). Analog circuits have a certain sound-quality/mojo which most of the simulations cannot fully clone (1-on-1). On the other hand, there has been so much analog equipment through the years with great specific effects and flavours that most producers/studio's only have a few real options in house. So often there may be an digital option that can be a better choice than what is possible with the analog equipment present. And in some cases you need something which only exists as a digital effect or instrument... So as always, use the best tool you for the desired goal that you can get your hands on, start there... When in doubt try a couple of possibilities and check what fits best! No dogma's needed here

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

A: Supporting their vision with my sensibilities to turn out something great

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

A: Assuming that there is electric power ;) 1, Laptop (as DAW and further swiss army knife) 2. a great pair of speakers (better then headphones on a desert island with no neighbors to complain) 3. a really deep diverse synth (like a polybrute) - which also doubles as a hands-on midi controller 4. a good mobile microphone (also for field recordings) 5. a fridge for cool drinks and preserved food (if shortterm) -or- a satellite dish for connection to outside input / output... (if longterm)

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

A: For 25+ years I have been busy working on music and making songs. But my career path started with studying artificial intelligence and philosophy at the University of Utrecht some 28 years back. Finishing those, but falling in love with the creation of music during that time. After a couple of years of working for companies (and freelance) mostly in IT while spending my free time making music (sometimes taking a -year off to concentrate on music and creative creation) - i stopped with working altogether in IT and for commercial companies. I then followed my dream and started working full time making music and the creative way of life. And since (for the last 10 years) I spent my full attention on making music, working with sound, and generally keeping myself busy working on creative outings.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Spending my time being busy telling stories with music and sound is the biggest passion of my life! And honing my craft and helping other fellow artists tell their tale while keeping myself sustainable and having space for my own stories is the shit ;)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Depends on the client and the case at hand... But in general questions to get to the core of the idea behind their project, and following to get to a mutual understanding of my role in that process to let it shine.

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

A: Let's talk about it, before you need to decide... Get into contact with me, let me know what you have in mind, and then i can give my thoughts and what i might be able to provide (maybe include something i did along those lines, or give a crude mix idea). Then you can decide after some personal feedback...

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: genre-fluid... (and where they overlap)

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

A: I love to work with an artist with their own distinct style/vision, but being open minded and free when starting something new as well... and in general this happens organically, instead of me having a list of people i would want to work with...

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Diversify... Once in a while (especially when inspiration flows a bit less), diversify and focus on something new outside your comfort zone, from another perspective (not just a new flavor of something known). So for instance a new type of instrument, production technique, workflow, modular, go daw-less, etc. Figuring out something new adds something to your palette, can help new inspiration to flow, on long term expands your general understanding, skill, and possible future roads to take within a process. And not everything you add to your skill base has to be of a same high skill level, to add extra dimensions and depth to a new piece of work.

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

A: I produce electronical music myself (often with additional musicians with various instruments) - but for sure genre loose electronic music, because of my own productions.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Thinking out of the box. Supporting the core idea.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: What is needed to make a song and it's story really shine. Concentration on the core of the song, and what that needs. When something is missing even adding additional layers (like a sub which isn't there) or preposing to drop a layer when the track is muddled. Off course in full communication with the artists (especially for bold steps ;))

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For working on other people's songs; always a couple of good listens - get a feel for the core / story of the song. Then depending a bit on the type of music - but get the basic main groove sounding good (bass, drums, lead melody). Getting the vocal in the right spot. And then work and the overall dynamics, and finally the details / sparkles on top.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I do mostly record, produce and mix in the box, but with the help of some great external boxes as well (like the analog heat for a great analog sound, or pleasing crush or high twinkle, whatever is needed). I have an arsenal of analog synths, most semi modular - with some extra modules to get to the bottom of them. Good set of mics. And some great speakers (kali in-8), and references.

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

A: Often the outliers, people/acts that really have their own sound/story/feel to it, and make it sound good and sure of itself, instead of a perfect mimic of a style or another act.

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

A: Mixing and mastering a song or album, and in some cases starting with recording & producing...