Mixing & Mastering

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Two EPs for a local progressive metal band. One EP for a doom metal band from southern Ontario

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. There are pros and cons to both. It really doesn't matter as long as the song is great.

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

A: I won't stop until you are happy.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love the creative process. Building an amazing song from the ground up is exciting and interesting, it gets me pumped.

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

A: Mastering can not fix a bad mix. Oh, and that plugins and hardware are the most important thing in a mix. (A great mix comes from great source tracks - record everything as perfectly as you can and the mix will always sound better)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I commonly ask for their inspirations (bands they are emulating or have emulated), the inspiration for the song and its meaning, if their is anything they want me to add whether that be auxillary instrumentation, backing vocals, or post production.

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

A: Label everything, every track. It saves so much time and allows for the mix and master to be sent to you quicker. Example: 01_Trackname_120bpm.wav (for a full song) DIST_GTR_L1.wav (for a guitar part - note the panning L-left) SYNTH_LEAD_C.wav (for an instrument panned center)

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

A: My Halo Custom Guitar (H7H - need something to make music with), my Macbook (and Logic), a good set of headphones, and the rest should probably be survival gear...Idk a generator so I can keep everything charged?

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

A: I have been recording and mixing since I was 13 (ish) years old. There was a recording class in my highschool that I would spend hours in. Every lunch, every spare, I was in the studio making or mixing a song. It was my home away from home. Mastering came much later. After I had put in some more experience in performing. So I'd say I've been mastering for the last 4 years or so.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: As a musician: djent / metalcore As an engineer: Organized but relaxed - don't mix stressed it leads to avoidable mistakes.

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

A: That's a difficult question. I would say, artists that are very passionate about their music. I find the ones who are truly inspired and acive in their writing are commonly the best to work with. They have a vision and a goal, and that drives me to do my best everytime.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't trust your eyes. Your ears and your active listening are the key to getting a really strong mix and master. In the past I fell into the same habit (especially with EQ) of watching the frequency spectrum and adjust things that didn't 'look' right. But this is an audio medium, your eyes have nothing to do with it. Trust your ears, and if you don't, train them. There are amazing free services out there to improve your hearing in regards to mixing and mastering.

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

A: Mainly metal and its various sub genres, but I am always open to work with anyone no matter the genre. I have done some mastering for rap and hip hop artists in the past, as well as some mixing for country and singer / songwritier artists as well.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening. I preach active listening. Listen to your clients and understand them, listen to the song and understand it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: As a musician and songwritier myself I always look for the potential in a song. This could be a hook, motif, or anything that makes it stand out. I love the creative process and really put a lot of effort into making each song stand out.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I am a very organized person by nature, so my approach or work process is always the same: - Setup and organzie tracks into groups, including buses I know will be needed (label everything) MIXING - Before mixing, read over what the client has envisioned for the song, then listen to it to understnad the overall vibe - Start with a basic volume mix, and make sure everything is appropriately gain staged - Then address individual issues within the mix utilizing, EQ, compression, etc. - Next, find emphasis parts of the song and adjust automation and FX to bring them out and make the song shine. - Finally, listen to the song in multiple environments to ensure it translates across multiple systems MASTERING -

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Presently I have downsized my studio setup for a more intimate approach. This scaled down version allows me to focus more on what is directly infront of me instead of worrying about what hardware I am using. Everything is directly in reach, allowing for faster mixing, and mastering.

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

A: I am greatly inspired by Nolly GetGood and George Lever, both monumental icons in the feild of mixing rock and metal music.

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

A: I am primarily a mixing engineer for my clients, preparing their songs, podcasts, and other audio media for mastering . Occasionally I do recording sessions for local artists in my community, helping them obtain professional level music without breaking the bank and supporting the Sault Area Music Scene.