Music Production, Mixing

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

A: I made a remix for a TV-show trailer and it was a really fun and creative project. And the song and the trailer turned out to be really good and it actually won a price for the best TV-trailer.

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

A: This guy is good: https://soundbetter.com/profiles/54279-julius-mauranen

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

A: They as me about the price and i say it´s always project related. The hardest thing is probably price yourself, you don´t wanna ask too much but not too little either.

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

A: Some people think that i earn a lot more money that i actually do. It requires a lot of hard work to be able to live as an music engineer or producer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Right now i´m composing my solopiano music as the next single will be released shortly. I´m also working on a remix for a heavy metal band and working on a 80´s pop project with my fellow producer. So different things happening :)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always ask first if they have a clear vision in mind what do they want me to do? I want to talk first about the song and the production and if the artist have a vision of their own or if they are stuck and want me to rework it. The most important thing is to make sure we share the same goal for the song, otherwise it´s a waste of time for both of us.

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

A: Probably my computer and Apollo interface, Alpha-Juno 2, my electric guitar, AT 4047 microphone and my headphones. I think i could manage with that.

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

A: I graduated from Pop/Jazz conservatory as music technologist in 2009. I made my internship in Finnvox studio which is the most famous studio in Finland. I worked in Helsinki Records from 2011 to 2015 and recorded, produced and mixed a lot of artists there. From 2015 until now i have been working as a freelancer doing mixing, producing, arranging, songwriting and composing for commercials.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like to work with sounds and have a strong mood and atmosphere. I like synthesizers and keyboards as i´m a keyboard player so naturally they play a big part in my production and style. When it comes to sound i tend to like a mixture of clean and hi-fi with more crunchy and lo-fi. If there is too much of either of them, it gets too bland for me. I think a good balance of both of them what makes a good sounding record.

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

A: There are so many, it´s really hard to say only one. St.Vincent would be interesting as i feel there is no limits what kind of music we could do.

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

A: I work mostly pop, indie, electronic and rock music. I don´t want to limit myself for one or two genres as i love commercial pop music as much as i love for example indie and rock music. I like to work different projects as it helps to keep me interested and inspired. I love how totally different types of music and sounds can give something to each other.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my versatility. I have a strong musical background as a musician and i can arrange and produce a lot of different kinds of genres and sounds. I`m not limited to specific genres, i have a view and vision for many types of music, as a producer and as a mixer.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my musical knowledge and skills. I always try to listen what the song actually needs and what kind of production is the right for that specific song. It´s also important to have a similar view with the artist so we work at the same level. If an artist gives me free hands, i do what i think is best for the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Usually i work in my own studio space in Helsinki. Sometimes i may have a for example songwrite session someplace else but production and mixing i do in my own place. I work alone a lot but artists are welcome to my studio to work together also.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a control room where i do my producing and mixing. I have Mac Pro with Logic X. Plugins including Waves, UAD, Soundtoys, Plugin Alliance, Softube. I have lots of virtual instruments including Arturia collection, Native Instruments, Korg Legacy Collection, Sylenth etc.. Hardware synths i have Roland JX-3P, Roland JD-800, Roland Alpha-Juno 2 and Solina String Ensemble. Other hardware including SPL Channel One channel strip, Electrovoice EVT spring reverb, Roland Dimension D chorus and Drawmer stereo compressor. I have Dynaudio BM5A monitors. I have Sennheiser HD-300 headphones and Universal Audio Apollo converters and preamps.

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

A: I do purely mixing. Many times with mixing i do also editing, vocal tuning and sometimes play keyboards or program drums. Another common work is arranging and producing. If you need a producer for your song, i can help you. Or if you need music for commercial or video project for example, i can do it.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I grew up with digital tools but there is something special about analog that digital don´t have. But it´s the other way around too. I don´t care what the tools are, all i care is that the end result sounds good. So i constantly keep looking for new equipment to make take my sound the next level.

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

A: My promise is that i make everything to make my client satisfied and happy. I will respect the original vision and do my best to enhance that.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love that everyday is different and every project is different. It makes me feel creative and inspired. What i like about music and producing and mixing that you always have something new to learn and explore. You are never ready or good enough. There is always something to be found you haven´t heard or thought before.

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

A: If you think you are stuck with your production or songwriting or are not happy with your mix, i think it´s good idea to hire an outsider to help with some of the stuff. A fresh pair of ears are always welcome and it´s more fun to do music as you don´t have to do and decide for yourself. Believe me, i know what i´m talking about.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Be creative, be crazy. Always look for new things and ways to create. Try not to get stucked with your habits. That´s more dangerous thing to lose your creativity. Of course it´s good to have certain kind of basic skills and arsenal that you know you can work fast with them when needed but always when you have the chance, try to step away form the comfort zone and try something you haven´t tried before. I should do that more often myself. :)

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

A: As mixing point of view, some of my favourite mixers are Nigel Godrich, Michael Brauer, Serban Ghenea, Dave Fridmann, Philippe Sarde, Manny Marroquin, Tchad Blake. As a producer my favourite producer is probably Dave Fridmann. I love his wild, experimental and crazy sound and ideas. He has developed his own universe when it comes to sound and production. If i had to mention something different i would say Nigel Godrich as i love his approach of everything being so incredibly well recorded and thought. In his producions you feel there is no unnecessary elements. Everything is super well arranged.