Mix & Master (Pop/Hip-Hop/R&B)

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A combination of taste + technical precision: I find the core of the song quickly and present it in the best light—tight low end, confident vocals, punchy drums, depth and translation. If needed, I can also add targeted production support (arrangement details, transitions, texture) so the final record feels intentional, emotional and competitive.

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

A: Most clients hire me for mixing and/or mastering to bring their song to a modern, release-ready level (vocal focus, punch, depth and translation). Many projects start as mix+master and, when it benefits the record, I also offer co-production/arrangement support (drum/vocal production, transitions, guitar production) to take the track to the next level while protecting the artist’s vision.

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 is a major-label release where the production was strong but the mixes weren’t fully translating outside the studio. My role was mixing and mastering (plus selective production): tightening the low end, bringing the vocal to the front without harshness, and building section-to-section impact so the record felt bigger while staying musical. What I’m proud of is that the final version kept the artist’s identity intact — it simply sounded finished, emotional and competitive everywhere.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mixing and mastering a range of Pop and modern hybrid releases (Hip-Hop/Rap, Indie Pop, Pop-Rock), plus selected production/co-production work, always focused on translation and release-ready impact.

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

A: I prefer to recommend people based on the specific need (topline/vocal editing/session players/artwork). If you tell me what you’re looking for, I’m happy to point you to a great fit.

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

A: “How do I prep files?” — Consolidate from bar 1, label clearly, include rough mix + tempo and references. “Can you make it loud but clean?” — Yes, and we can choose dynamic vs louder depending on the release strategy. “How many revisions?” — I keep revisions focused and efficient to reach the goal quickly.

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

A: That mixing/mastering can “fix anything” or that louder is always better. Great results come from strong performances, smart arrangement choices and good recordings, then mixing/mastering elevate and finalize.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What’s the target vibe and reference? Where will the song be released (streaming/social/radio/club)? Do you want it more dynamic or louder? Are any tracks printed wet (and do you have dry versions)? Track count, deadline, and any must-keep elements?

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

A: A laptop with Pro Tools, a clean audio interface, one great microphone, one guitar, and good monitoring (headphones or a small pair of speakers). If I can capture a performance and hear it accurately, I can build everything else from there.

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

A: I started as a guitarist, then moved into production and studio work in my early 20s. I’ve been working professionally for 20+ years, and in the mid-2000s I opened my own studio, collaborating with major-label artists and top international engineers/producers.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Big, warm and detailed, with modern punch and clean translation. I aim for records that feel finished and emotional. I can go hi-fi and polished, or add character (saturation/texture/controlled distortion) when it helps the vibe. The goal is always impact without flattening the music.

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

A: The Weeknd. I love the balance of cinematic atmosphere, bold production choices and modern pop impact. It’s a world where hybrid mixing and sound design can really serve the song.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Commit the emotion early. Before chasing plugins, make sure the arrangement and performance sell the song: strong lead vocal, clear hook, and intentional contrast between sections. Then mix becomes “enhancement” instead of “rescue”.

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

A: Mainly Pop and modern hybrid productions: Hip-Hop/Rap, Indie Pop, Pop-Rock/Rock, R&B-leaning pop, and Singer-Songwriter/Folk-Acoustic projects when the song calls for a more organic approach.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Turning a good production into a finished record: making the key elements feel bigger and clearer without losing musicality—especially vocal placement, low-end management, punch and depth, plus the ability to switch between clean hi-fi and more character/lo-fi textures when the song needs it.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by listening to your rough mix and references to understand the goal and emotion. Then I build a solid first pass focusing on balance, low-end control, vocal clarity, punch and space. After that we refine with focused revisions. For mastering, I deliver a streaming-friendly dynamic master by default and can also provide a louder alternate when the release strategy calls for it.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work in a professionally treated control room with Kii Three Pro monitoring and Lavry Savitr conversion. My main DAW is Pro Tools Ultimate HDX. I run a mastering-grade hybrid analog chain for mix/master when it benefits the song (e.g. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, Manley Massive Passive, Vertigo VSM-2, Chandler Curve Bender, Neve 33609, Tube-Tech CL 1B), plus a large palette of instruments, guitars/pedals and production tools for sound design and arrangement support.

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

A: I’m inspired by artists with strong identity and sonics like The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, Bon Iver, Radiohead, Coldplay, Pink Floyd, and by musicianship and tone culture from Prince, Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa. On the production side I’m influenced by engineers/producers who balance emotion with translation and impact, plus the best modern pop/hip-hop mixers and producers pushing sound forward.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Digital gives recall, speed and precision; analog can add a unique depth, glue and tone when used intentionally. I choose the right balance per song—workflow and results first.

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

A: Clear communication, deadlines respected, and work that translates. I’ll protect your artistic vision and push the record to a professional, release-ready standard. If something can be improved, I’ll tell you honestly and provide options.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Taking a raw idea and helping it become a finished record—bringing clarity, energy and emotion so the song communicates instantly.

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

A: Choose someone whose work you truly connect with, provide 1–2 references, and deliver organized files. Mixing and mastering can elevate a great production, but they can’t replace good recording choices, tuning/timing, and arrangement decisions.