Audio Engineer, Hip Hop Music

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

A: An album I never released. I will release it so don't get turnt about it not being out to criticize. But I did all the composition, all the lyrics, all the mixing and mastering. It was the idea that I wanted to put out an I did it. I just need to figure out the marketing part for it because I want it to do well

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mastering for my latest project and audio editing for various clients doing short videos and films

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

A: No

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog. There is some really nifty easy to use plugins that help. But when someone knows how to use analog there's a depth that you can't get out of digital.

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

A: To bring you quality Everytime I am apart of a project

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The variety of music and challenges it presents

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

A: That it's the same from track to track. All tracks require different approaches to get to the best result. Ultimately the client wants it to sound professional and there isn't a plugin or outboard piece of gear that will make it instantly sound like that.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you want to get out of the service? If it's a composition, what are you expecting to hear do you have any reference tracks. If it's mixing what do you want to get the most out it? Strict to industry standards or looking for something more your own, I can help with both. If it's mastering what adjectives would you use to describe the overall sound of the track? All of these things I would follow up with do you have any reference tracks.

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

A: Do your research on what your product needs. Sometimes you can chase your tail in sound design and editing. Having a clear perspective on what your expectations are for the project will better help me help you.

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

A: My MPC with a solar generator for power I guess, a decent mic nothing special, acoustic guitar and a piano.

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

A: Started poking around in daws 15+ years ago. Working with friends, on my own projects, and other artist. Then decided to start up an online mixing and mastering service.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Stoic, technical, diverse, and gritty

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

A: One living. Kendrick Lamar. He has a diverse sound with a mixture of a lot of sound design that is interesting to hear. Non living. Tom Petty. My favorite lyricist and absolute legend in music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't get the processes mixed up too much. Meaning if you're tracking then track the instruments, if you are mixing then finish mixing and same for mastering. Having these being distinct allows milestones that can be achieved and really work on getting each milestone to a place where it's ready for the next process.

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

A: Mainly alternative hip-hop, second rock/metal/ grunge, and than indie/pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mastering, my sound is really highlighted in the finish product. I'm a great lyricist and an alright musician but the technical aspect really brings it all together

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Energy, technique, uniqueness, and understanding for what the song needs

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Depends on the project, but if it's my song I record instruments, vocals and add to any midi or other composition already in the box digitally. When I have everything tracked and into the DAW or on my MPC, I start mixing. I don't use templates as I feel each composition will need different tools for each project. Any processing that I need to do for the initial mix I do and then export that as a demo. Then I take it into mastering using mainly my outboard gear to make changes and give the track more depth then in the box. Then I record the outputs into my MPC rather than exporting it.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: On DAW (Studio One and FL Studio) and MPC setup for both in the box and outboard work. Behringer 1820 UMC interface Behringer Multiband dynamics 9024 Behringer Ultramatch Pro SRC 2496 Behringer Sonic Exciter SX3094 Rane GE60

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

A: I am mainly hip hop, but as I've gotten more experience and more time to define my taste. I really enjoy the work of the audio engineer and the producer.

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

A: Audio mixing and mastering