Mixingengineer

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 was an in-depth interview with Andrew Scheps about a Red Hot Chili Peppers song. We had the chance to dive deep into the production and exchange ideas on mixing approaches. Having such a detailed technical conversation with one of the world’s leading engineers was both inspiring and a great learning experience.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment I’m working on several mixing projects for independent pop and country artists.

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

A: I collaborate with different mastering engineers and session musicians outside SoundBetter, but I’m always open to recommending great professionals I know personally. If a client needs something beyond my scope, I make sure they’re in good hands.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I use a hybrid approach. Digital gives me flexibility, speed, and recall, while analog gear adds warmth, depth, and character. By combining both, I can get the best of each world and adapt to the needs of every project. That said, I find myself working more and more fully in the digital domain, as today’s plugins sound better than ever and often make the workflow even smoother.

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

A: My promise is to treat every project with the same care and attention as if it were my own, and to deliver a mix that meets the highest professional standards while reflecting the artist’s vision.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I like most is helping artists bring their vision to life. Taking raw tracks and shaping them into a finished mix that feels powerful, emotional, and true to the song is incredibly rewarding.

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

A: The most common question is: How many revisions are included? My answer: I always include enough revisions to make sure the client is fully satisfied – usually 2–3 rounds are more than enough. Another frequent question is: How long will it take? I typically deliver the first mix within a few days, depending on the project’s complexity.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that mixing is just about balancing levels or adding effects. In reality, it’s a creative and collaborative process – shaping the sound, enhancing the emotion, and making sure the song connects with the listener.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask about the artist’s vision for the song, reference tracks they like, and the most important elements they want to highlight in the mix. I also ask about technical details such as sample rate, file formats, and how many revisions they expect, so the process runs smoothly from the start.

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

A: Be clear about your vision and share reference tracks – it helps me understand exactly what sound you’re aiming for. Also, make sure you feel comfortable with the person you’re working with, because good communication is just as important as technical skills in getting the best result.

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, I’d take my PMC 6-2 XBD monitors, a reliable audio interface, my favorite preamp, a good microphone – and of course a guitar. With those five pieces, I could still create, mix, and enjoy music anywhere.

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

A: I’ve been working as an audio engineer for over 25 years. I started my career in 2003 at AGSoundlight Studio in Brixen and studied Audio Engineering at SAE Munich. In 2006 I founded my own studio, JAMESrec, which I’ve been running ever since. Before fully focusing on engineering, I also toured as a musician, which gave me a deep understanding of what artists need both on stage and in the studio. Over the years I’ve mixed and worked with international artists and orchestras as well as independent projects, always with the goal of delivering high-quality sound.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is clean, balanced, and musical. I aim for clarity and punch while keeping the natural character and emotion of the performance intact.

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

A: I’d love to work with John Mayer because of his outstanding songwriting, musicianship, and the emotional depth in his productions.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always make sure the vocal sits right in the mix – it’s usually the emotional center of the song. A clear, well-balanced vocal can instantly elevate the entire production.

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

A: I mostly work on pop, rock, country and singer-songwriter projects, but I also have experience with jazz, folk, and orchestral productions.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is mixing – creating clear, powerful, and balanced mixes that serve the song and translate across all listening environments.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring clarity, depth, and punch to a song, making sure every element has its place while keeping the emotion and character intact. My goal is to create mixes that translate across all systems and connect with the listener, whether on headphones, in the car, or on big stages.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My process usually starts with a detailed discussion about the client’s vision and references. Once I receive the files, I prepare the session and focus on building a balanced and musical mix that serves the song. I provide an initial version, and then we refine it together through revisions until the client is completely satisfied. For mastering, I collaborate with trusted mastering engineers to deliver the best possible final product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio is optimized for high-end mixing. I work in a hybrid setup, combining industry-standard digital tools with selected analog gear. Accurate monitoring is provided by PMC 6-2 XBD speakers in an acoustically treated room, ensuring mixes that translate perfectly across all systems

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

A: I’m inspired by mixers and producers such as Serban Ghenea, Jeff Juliano, Bob Clearmountain, Manny Marroquin, Vance Powell, and Tchad Blake. I admire their ability to create depth, clarity, and emotion in every mix, which strongly influences my own approach.

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

A: Most of my clients hire me for professional mixing. I focus on creating powerful, balanced mixes that translate well across all systems, from streaming to live playback. For mastering, I collaborate with trusted mastering engineers to ensure the best possible final result.