Sound Designer, Mixing

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

A: I've had the privilege of working on a range of projects, including collaborations with large companies, and I'm especially proud of the impact my work has had in creating immersive, memorable audio experiences. Due to signed NDAs, I can’t share specific details, but I can say that these projects have allowed me to push creative and technical boundaries in sound design and composition. In each, my role involved crafting custom audio and collaborating closely with the team to ensure the audio perfectly enhanced the storytelling and emotional depth.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment, I’m focused on developing my personal brand and expanding my business. This includes refining my portfolio, building my presence on platforms like SoundBetter, and connecting with potential clients and collaborators. This phase is a great opportunity to showcase my work, reach new audiences, and prepare for upcoming projects.

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

A: Since I’m new to SoundBetter, I haven’t yet had the chance to get to know or collaborate with others on the platform. However, I’m looking forward to connecting with talented professionals here and building relationships with colleagues whose work I can confidently recommend. In the meantime, if you need recommendations for specific skills or roles, I’m always happy to help you find someone who matches your needs, whether here or through my broader network.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both analog and digital have their strengths, and for me, it often depends on the project’s needs. Analog gear brings a certain warmth, depth, and character that’s hard to replicate, and there's something special about the hands-on, tactile experience of working with analog equipment. However, digital technology has advanced so much that high-quality plugins now offer incredible sound that rivals analog gear, with added flexibility and precision. With digital, I can work more efficiently and have a broader range of creative possibilities at my fingertips, all while maintaining professional-level quality. Plus, digital setups make it easier to recall settings, which is invaluable for refining and revisiting projects. In short, I appreciate both, but I find that today’s digital tools are powerful enough to match the quality of analog while offering the versatility and convenience I need in my workflow.

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

A: My promise to clients is to deliver audio that elevates your project’s story and impact through a commitment to quality, creativity, and collaboration. I promise to bring my expertise and passion to every detail, crafting custom audio that aligns perfectly with your vision and enhances the overall experience for your audience. I also promise clear communication and flexibility throughout the project, keeping you informed and involved so we can make adjustments as needed to meet your goals. I understand that every project is unique, and I’m dedicated to providing an immersive and tailored audio experience that truly makes a difference. Most importantly, I’m here to make the process smooth and rewarding for you, delivering exceptional results on time and with a focus on creating an audio experience that resonates long after the final note or sound.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I love most about my job is the ability to create powerful, immersive experiences that enhance storytelling and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Every project is an opportunity to bring a unique vision to life through carefully crafted audio, whether it’s a soundscape that transports players into a game world or a piece of music that heightens the emotional impact of a film scene. I also love the constant creativity and innovation involved. Sound design and composition challenge me to think outside the box, experiment with new techniques, and explore different genres and styles. There’s always something new to learn, and every project brings a fresh set of creative and technical challenges that keep the work engaging. Finally, I enjoy the collaborative process with clients. Working closely with others to understand their vision and bring it to fruition is incredibly rewarding. Seeing their reactions and knowing that my work helps enhance their project’s impact is one of the most fulfilling aspects of what I do.

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

A: 1. How long will this project take? My answer: The timeline depends on the scope of the project, but I aim to work efficiently while maintaining high quality. After discussing your needs in detail, I can give you an accurate estimate. For example, creating a custom soundtrack or complex sound design can take a few weeks, while smaller projects may only take a few days. 2.Can you work within my budget? My answer: I strive to deliver the best results within each client’s budget. Once I understand the project’s needs, I can suggest ways to prioritize certain elements or streamline the process to keep everything within your budget without sacrificing quality. 3. How much input will I have in the creative process? My answer: As much as you’d like! Some clients prefer a collaborative approach, while others are more hands-off. I’m flexible and open to feedback at each stage of the project to ensure the final result meets your vision. 4. Do you have experience in my industry? My answer: Yes! I’ve worked across a variety of fields, including video games, film, and commercials. My experience with different types of media means I’m comfortable adapting to specific industry standards and audience expectations to ensure the audio enhances your project. 5.Can you match a specific style or reference? My answer: Absolutely. If you have a specific style or reference in mind, feel free to share it! I use references as a guide and combine them with my own expertise to create something original that aligns with your vision while standing out uniquely. These questions help set clear expectations and ensure the project is aligned with the client’s goals from the start.

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

A: One of the biggest misconceptions about my work as a sound designer and composer is that it’s simply about “adding sound” or music as an afterthought. In reality, sound design and music are integral parts of storytelling and require a deep understanding of the project’s narrative, mood, and emotional goals. Every audio element, whether it’s a subtle background ambience, a musical cue, or a sound effect, needs to be carefully crafted and strategically placed to enhance the overall experience. Another misconception is that sound design is just about having the right gear. While equipment is important, a lot of the work relies on creativity, attention to detail, and a strong sense of how sound impacts emotion and atmosphere. Ultimately, the art of sound design and composition is about creating an immersive world that draws the audience in, and this involves a thoughtful, collaborative process that goes far beyond just “adding sounds.”

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: When working with prospective clients, I ask questions that help me understand their vision and project needs in depth. Some of the key questions I ask are: 1. What is the overall goal and mood of the project? – This helps me get a sense of the emotional tone and impact they're aiming for, whether it’s a game, film, or commercial. 2.Do you have any references or inspiration? – Knowing if they have specific references in mind (like similar projects, genres, or artists) helps me align with their expectations and style preferences. 3.What specific audio elements or features are you looking for? – I want to know if they’re looking for custom music, sound effects, ambience, or a mix of these, and if there are any particular details or highlights they envision. 4.What is the target audience and platform? – Understanding who the project is for and where it will be experienced (e.g., in theaters, mobile games, VR) influences my approach and technical decisions. 5.What is your timeline and budget? – Having a clear sense of deadlines and budget parameters helps me plan and prioritize tasks to deliver the best possible result within those constraints. 6.How involved would you like to be in the creative process? – I ask this to determine how much feedback they want to provide throughout the project and if they prefer a more collaborative or hands-off approach. These questions allow me to create a clear roadmap for the project and ensure that my work is aligned with the client’s vision, goals, and timeline from the start.

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

A: For a customer looking to hire a provider like me, my advice is to clearly define your vision and goals for the project from the start. The more information you can provide about the mood, tone, and overall vision, the more I can tailor the audio to fit your specific needs. This includes any references to styles, genres, or specific sounds you’re aiming for, as well as how you want the audio to complement the visuals or narrative. Additionally, I recommend staying open to collaboration throughout the process. Sound design and music are key components of storytelling, and having an ongoing dialogue ensures that the audio evolves in a way that best enhances the project. I also encourage clients to trust the creative process — sometimes the best results come from exploring new, unexpected directions. Lastly, be prepared for feedback loops. The best results come from iterative refinement, and giving constructive feedback will help ensure the final product meets your vision perfectly. Working together closely from start to finish makes for a smoother, more successful project and ensures the audio truly elevates the overall experience.

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

A: If I were on a desert island and could only take five pieces of gear, I'd choose the following: 1. Laptop with my DAW and essential plugins – My laptop would be my main tool for working on music and sound design. It’s versatile, portable, and would allow me to continue creating even in isolation. I'd make sure to have Steinberg Nuendo and a few essential plugins pre-installed for maximum creativity. 2.Audio Interface – A compact, high-quality audio interface like my Audient iD4 would be crucial for recording and mixing, especially if I want to capture sounds or use it for critical listening. It’s small but delivers professional sound quality. 3. Headphones – A good pair of headphones for monitoring and mixing, especially since I’d be in an environment without reliable access to speakers. 4. Portable Microphone – A portable microphone (like the Shure SM7B) would be great for recording any audio on the island, whether it’s natural sounds for sound design or recording vocals. 5. External Hard Drive – An external hard drive to back up all my work and store any samples, music, or sound libraries I’d need. With limited storage on the laptop, this would be essential for keeping my projects safe and organized. With these five tools, I’d have everything I need to continue my work and stay creative while stranded on the island!

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

A: My career path began as a musician, where I spent many years performing and recording with my band. Over the course of our journey, we released three albums and toured extensively, gaining valuable experience in both the creative and technical aspects of music production. However, in 2019, I developed a deep interest in sound design and began exploring music creation specifically for media, such as films, commercials, and video games. This transition marked a turning point in my career, as I shifted my focus to immersive audio experiences, combining my musical background with sound design skills. Since then, I've been working as a freelance sound designer and composer, helping clients bring their creative visions to life with custom soundscapes, original compositions, and tailored audio solutions. My journey into sound design has been an exciting evolution, and I’ve continued to grow, developing a unique skill set that allows me to create impactful audio for a wide range of multimedia projects.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as immersive, dynamic, and emotionally-driven. I focus on creating audio experiences that are not only sonically rich but also deeply connected to the narrative and emotional tone of the project. My approach blends traditional techniques with modern innovation, often incorporating both organic and electronic elements to build unique soundscapes. In music, I tend to create compositions that evoke strong emotional responses, whether it's through cinematic orchestral pieces, atmospheric ambient music, or intense, high-energy tracks. As for sound design, I aim for distinctive, custom sounds that help tell a story and enhance the overall experience, whether it's for a film, game, or commercial. My style is always shaped by the project’s needs, but I maintain a focus on depth, texture, and the power of sound to move and captivate the audience.

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

A: I would love to work with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the masterminds behind some of the most innovative and emotionally intense film scores, as well as their groundbreaking work in industrial rock with Nine Inch Nails. Their ability to blend raw, organic sound with electronic elements to create deeply immersive and atmospheric audio is something I truly admire. The opportunity to collaborate with them would be an incredible chance to learn from their approach to sound design and composition, especially in creating complex, evolving sonic landscapes that enhance storytelling. Their work pushes boundaries and challenges traditional concepts of music and sound, and I believe such a collaboration would allow me to explore new creative horizons while contributing my own unique perspective to their projects.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One of my best music production tips is to always leave space in the mix. It’s easy to get caught up in adding layers of sound, but sometimes the most impactful moments come from allowing certain elements to breathe. By leaving space between layers and ensuring that each sound has its own place in the frequency spectrum, you create a mix that feels more dynamic and open, rather than cluttered. This can be achieved by using EQ to carve out space for different instruments, avoiding overly busy sections, and being mindful of the arrangement. Sometimes less is more, and letting the key elements shine without overwhelming the listener with too much at once can make the overall production feel more powerful and immersive.

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

A: I typically work on a wide range of music, focusing on pieces that enhance storytelling and create immersive experiences. This includes original compositions for films, commercials, and video games, where I blend various genres depending on the mood and narrative needs of the project. In film and commercials, I often create cinematic, emotionally-driven music that complements the visuals, using orchestral, electronic, and ambient elements. For video games, I focus on dynamic, adaptive music that responds to gameplay, often integrating unique soundscapes to enhance the player’s experience. I’m particularly drawn to projects that allow me to experiment with different styles and blend traditional and modern techniques, such as combining orchestral elements with electronic or industrial sounds. This versatility allows me to approach each project with a fresh perspective, tailoring the music to fit the specific tone and atmosphere the client is aiming for

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my ability to craft immersive and dynamic audio experiences that perfectly align with the creative vision of the project. I have a keen ear for detail and a deep understanding of how sound can drive narrative and emotional impact. Whether it's creating intricate sound effects for video games or composing original music for a film or commercial, I excel at blending technical precision with artistic expression to elevate the storytelling. I also have a strong ability to collaborate with clients, understanding their unique needs and offering tailored solutions that enhance their vision, all while maintaining high standards of quality. This combination of creativity, technical expertise, and effective communication is what sets me apart in my field.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: When I work on a song, I bring a deep focus on enhancing its emotional impact and overall atmosphere. Whether I’m composing original music or adding layers to an existing track, my aim is to create a sonic landscape that complements the narrative and mood of the piece. I pay careful attention to the structure, rhythm, and harmony to ensure that every element serves the song’s story and evokes the intended feelings. I also bring creativity and innovation to the table, experimenting with unique textures and sounds that make the song stand out. From custom sound design elements to intricate instrumentation, I add distinctive touches that elevate the song and give it a unique character. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure the song connects with its audience on a deeper level, leaving a lasting impression.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical work process is highly adaptable and tailored to each client's needs. I start by thoroughly understanding the project and diving deep into the client’s vision. This involves discussing their specific requirements, goals, and the emotional impact they want to achieve with the audio. I then analyze the project, whether it’s a film, game, or commercial, and suggest the most fitting approach to meet those needs. Once the direction is clear, I begin the creative process, exploring different sound design elements, musical ideas, or ambient textures. I always ensure that the sound enhances the storytelling and complements the visuals, while also leaving room for feedback and collaboration. Throughout the process, I remain flexible and open to adjustments to ensure that the final result aligns perfectly with the client’s expectations. My goal is always to deliver a high-quality, personalized audio experience that elevates the project.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work from a home studio setup that’s designed for both flexibility and high-quality output. My primary DAW is Steinberg Nuendo, which I find perfect for its advanced audio editing capabilities and seamless integration with my workflow. I rely on a range of high-end plugins to shape my sound, including tools from Slate, Kilohearts, Plugin Alliance, UAD, and others. These allow me to add depth, clarity, and precision to every project, whether I’m designing intricate sound effects, mixing a track, or composing original music. My studio is acoustically treated to ensure accurate monitoring, and I use a variety of professional-grade monitors and headphones for critical listening. This setup allows me to deliver polished and immersive audio experiences, no matter the scope of the project.

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

A: I draw inspiration from a wide range of musicians and sound designers, particularly those who push the boundaries of audio to create truly immersive experiences. Artists like Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, known for their work on film scores and their ability to blend electronic elements with organic sound, have been a huge influence on me. I also admire composers like Hans Zimmer, whose use of dynamic, evolving scores creates powerful emotional connections in film. In the world of video games, I look up to people like Marty O'Donnell, whose work on the Halo series set a new standard for how music and sound design can enhance gameplay. These professionals have shaped my approach to sound design by showing how deeply sound can influence a project’s narrative and emotional depth.

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

A: I primarily focus on creating immersive and unique audio experiences tailored to each project. Most of my work revolves around crafting soundscapes that complement the narrative and emotional tone of commercials, films, and video games. Whether it's designing intricate sound effects for a game or composing original music for a film or ad, my goal is to enhance the storytelling and evoke the intended emotions. I collaborate closely with clients to ensure the audio is not only high-quality but also aligns perfectly with their creative vision, making each project stand out with a distinctive auditory signature.