ONLINE MIX + MASTERING

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

A: It's been great when some work I've done get's recognised with awards, or seeing big rooms of people show up to a group I work with. I'm a co-writer/producer/mixer for Lime Cordiale and one of their shows with 10,000 people can be a thrill to be at. Or ARIA awards for Genesis Owusu's first album was great.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Some ongoing artists I look after, some of my own musical projects and there's always a mix or 2 or 5 on the go!

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

A: I don't know if people are better or worse than others, I think it's a case of finding collaborators that can creatively problem solve together, and get the good vibe going.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: They work differently, both can work, to me it's a style and approach attitude or philosophy thing!

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

A: A great process, and excellent result!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I LOVE listening to all sorts of music, and adding value to others work. The music making process is just magical!

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

A: That AI can do this job.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I love to know what you've been listening to, or inspired by, sometimes there's specific questions after hearing the source material. It's always good to know if there's things you've struggled with in the mix, or things you love or are really attached to.

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

A: It's great to have a few references of things you've been listening to, always helpful if your files are well organised and the multitrack version I have sounds the same as the last mix you had, so I can take off from there. Sometimes it's nailed on the first pass, but sometimes there is a bit of back and forth, so an open mind going through revisions and discussions is always helpful.

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

A: The biggest speakers I can take, a monster computer, a tube EQ, Piano and MIDI keyboard.

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

A: I did classical piano to Grade 6 (Trinity College London), then studied music straight out of high school in New Zealand, got a degree in Media Arts, majoring in Songwriting. Moved to Australia, and got a Certificate IV in Audio Engineering from SAE, then started as a runner in Australia's largest recording studio, Studios 301. I went freelance after that, recording bands mostly and owning a studio. Then got some good projects as a mixer. From there, I got back in to writing with artists, and would do mix only projects, or full write/production/mix. Had some hits in Australia before I went to Los Angeles for a couple years. Returning to my roots in New Zealand to base for a while and do my trips from here.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Heartfelt.

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

A: One day I have to make a Charli XCX album - she has the innovative edge and swagger to boot.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Take care when having more than 1 melody at the same time, if there is one clear lead melody, whether that be the vocal, or an instrument, be mindful of other melodies or counter melodies that play at the same time and the relationship between them.

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

A: My favourite genres are Pop/Indie/Alternative/Hip Hop and recently really love some EDM genres... any sub genres of those I can always find things I love in.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I like to think my musicality, and ability to understand the context of many genres and artistic pursuits.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to think a mix is more vibrant, clear and excited after I've worked on it. It's important to me that the energy is correct for the intention and full of life. Sometimes that will be respecting the last print and not going too deep, but sometimes that can mean a more heavy handed approach when approapriate. We can discuss this prior to me beginning!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When mixing, I'll get all the files setup over in Pro Tools matching the last print from the artist or producer, mix that over a day or 2, then send over to the decision makers, where we can either jump on Zoom for live revisions, or I'll take notes and do revisions that way.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I'm mostly in the box, with a Lynx Hilo, Apogee Symphony and Genelec 8351b's, I use Audeze LCD-x's and Apple AirPod Max's for headphones, and laptops for reference. Sometimes I'll use a nice high end analog EQ over the master, and have been know for running sounds out through my Chandler or BAE preamps for colouration and depth.

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

A: I follow a lot of producers, mixers and artists. Some of my favourite mixers are Manny Marroquin, Serban Ghenea, Spike Stent, Tchad Blake, Jaycen Joshua, Shaun Everrett.

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

A: I love challenges and contributing in multiple roles, from writing to production and mixing/mastering. When I'm on a project for the mixing role only, I can be approaching the mix from a finish/polish process where I'm tweaking and massaging a mix, maybe a little vocal tidying with edits/tuning, or I could be transforming with more creative processing. Whatever is needed!