Music, Sound and Post Audio

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

A: I produced, recorded and played on multiple albums for my band Mad God, and I'm really proud of what we have done, although it would be considered on the lo-fi side I still really love the energy we got out of the recordings. Otherwise a band I worked on called Bombaby which is the most interesting collboration project I have ever worked on. Thanks to Evert Snyman for that! https://open.spotify.com/artist/4jBe4RvV7wlIwBq0NrI6wt?si=AzpUnKtSQxqVXaNcr8oYFQ

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on multiple band projects as well as more commercial mixing.

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

A: Quick turnaround but providing quality while always being willing to take feedback and compromise on ideas.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love music, I love sound, I love working with computers, so it ticks all the boxes

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

A: I wouldn't say I'm used to hearing the same questions but I get asked a lot so maybe I have just forgotten.

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

A: That just because something can be done quickly that it was easy.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Whether it's a mix/master project or a composition I often like to have some sort of reference audio so I can work to match it. Some people don't like to work with reference so I would then ask for a detailed write up on what they are looking for in their mix/composition etc.

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

A: Advice? Just hire me!

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

A: It would have to be unplugged instruments and gear -Acoustic Guitar -Tape Recorder with solar batteries -Drum Kit -Digeridoo -Harmonica

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: As a musician I have an eclectic style, although I have mentioned I'm a metal head I listen to a wide variety of styles including pop, hip-hop, psytrance, drum and bass, folk, hardcore and many more. I am fans of unique artists like Mike Patton, Les Claypool, Jacob Collier, Steven Wilson and bands like Rush and King Crimson and enjoy music that tries to push boundaries but also appreciate popular and dance music as all music has it place for each situation.

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

A: Danny Helsing is a fantastic musician and producer, definitely work with him!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both for different reasons.

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

A: I have been working on music and sound since high school when I played in bands and sang in the school choir. I moved onto creating digital music and recording my own tracks. This was between 2000 and 2005. I then studied music, practical, composition and production at Wits University from 2004 - 2008 and again doing my masters in 2014-2016. During that time I start my own company Jump Ship Music, which catered to individuals and companies producing sound for adverts, short films and digital content.

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

A: Post Malone, just because he seems fun.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Use less plugins.

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

A: As a composer I make electronic music (lo-fi, and ambient for the most part), chiptune/8bit music, metal and folk. As a producer I have mixed everything from hip-hop to classical.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Patience, particularly when dealing with finnicky mixes.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a passion for music that makes me want to get the best out of any song I work. I love music in any genre, form or aesthetic as long as the artist has a passion for the music they are making. If I find that then I am going to match that energy and use it to get the most out of a project.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to work fast with constant revisions while taking multiple breaks to refresh the mind and the ears. Once I have started on a project I tend to get tunnel vision until it is finished.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I run a very small, tight home studio currently with a multitude of instruments and effects in both the analogue and digital space. Despite me calling it small I can record anything but drums there (and it'll sound great!), and have a space where I can do drum recordings as well. I have a powerful PC, previously running Ableton but recently become a Reaper user.

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

A: I am constantly finding new artists and producers that inspire me all for different reasons. As a pop producer Max Martin has to be one of greatest of all time and as a metalhead I would have to mention Randy Burns, though there are so many others great ones in-between. It's impossible to list all the musicians that have inspired me but to name a few bands: Queen, Led Zeppelin, Imogen Heap, Electric Wizard, Death, Blind Guardian and Tanooki Suit.

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

A: Recently my most common work has been adverts and explainer videos. It mostly requires basic but fun sound design, some VO recording and mixing, finding some good music then mixing and mastering it all.