Independent, deeply practiced musician/engineer. Writing, performing and mixing all parts in personal project Gypsy Moth Control. Releasing two singles with many more in development. Ears are the single most important asset in this art and I have developed mine to the best of my ability in service of it. Please allow me to extend that to you.
My name is Michael Newell. I'm an independent musician based in Wicklow, Ireland. I've been writing my own songs and mixing for over 14 years. My main instrument is the drums and I've performed for numerous local (and one canadian) bands over that same time.
I would like to offer my service as a mixing engineer to you. My philosophy is that a good mix should reveal and flatter the character of the song. Not simply achieve "commercial quality" (something which no song has ever been lauded for). When I listen to a song, I truly want to feel the energy in the writing, performance and timbre. This is the direction from which I will mix your music.
Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Credits
Interview with Michael Newell
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently, I'm a music teacher and I perform drums for several local artists. I also have my personal project 'Gypsy Moth Control' through which I release my own music.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Everyone is going to have their own idea of how to impart themselves upon your music. Of course, we will work together to ensure that you are satisfied.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I originally began playing drums at about the age of 14 and realised that I have a passion for music. It's funny to me because I had always liked music and would just sit around absorbing songs, but never realised that it might be "my thing". At the age of 15 I started messing around with Garageband, making my own songs and noises while obsessing over the timbre and layering of the instruments. About a year after that I got Logic X and got deep into mixing ever since.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My intent is to bring clarity and energy to a song in a way that enhances its character.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise you I will treat your work as I would treat my own, with the added qualifier that you must be satisfied with the result as well as myself.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Usually hard/indie rock and electronic music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I feel my ability to perceive and identify frequencies, dynamics and how those two relate to a desired sonic character is my strongest skill.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Firstly, I listen to the track and set balances. Then I identify undesirable frequencies and noise and attenuate those. Thirdly I apply characteristically flattering eq, compression and/or saturation. I then repeat from the start and pan elements (some of which may have been panned in the first pass if it gives a better idea of how to process the track). The track is checked repeatedly for unflattering cloudiness or harshness. Then I apply effects, if it benefits the track e.g., reverb and delay (some of which may be already applied to elements like drums). The track is checked in mono constantly to ensure a sonic hierarchy is in place (e.g. vocals > guitars > Kick/snare). Lastly a master chain is applied to identify any other qualities which could be further brought out from a lower level in the mix. Then entire process is repeated until there are no anomalies when listening back on a variety of output sources.
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $400 per song
- Queens of the Stone Age
- LCD Soundsystem
- DIIV
