Mix Magic & Producer Power

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First, we'll discuss your musical vision and specifications for your desired sound, including any reference tracks that point to your sonic goals. I'll take notes on everything you tell me. Once your vision is established, I get to work and come back to you with the initial mix. From there, I'll revise or refine anything you specify. We may continue to revise, as much as it takes, until you're hearing exactly what you want to be hearing!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: An outdated debate and a bit of a false dichotomy, in my humble opinion. Each have their strengths and weaknesses, though digital is far more practical the majority of the time. Wherever analog makes sense or is desired, use it instead. What works best is entirely dependent on the workflow, goals, and personal preferences of the parties involved. Neither format is superior by all measures, and many of those measures are subjective anyway.

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

A: My number one promise is a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee. I also promise to do my best to make sure you are completely satisfied with not only the final product, but the process by which we got there. (I don't like issuing refunds :P)

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I am personally fulfilled when you are personally fulfilled by the fulfillment of your musical vision. (It's very full around here.) Your excitement, joy, and inspiration when hearing your own music exactly as you wanted to hear it, or alternatively, hearing it in a way that surprises and delights you. I also appreciate being able to contribute to the music of the world as a whole.

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

A: To the common person - Mixing is simple, easy, and/or quick. (Experienced engineers make it seem that way.) To musicians - Mixing is mostly technical and twiddling knobs. (People skills, creativity, and vision are just as important.) To fellow engineers - Believing there is a singular "perfect" mix to be achieved, when in fact there are many. (Music is art, and by extension, mixing is art. Art is subjective, and you can make three wildly different mixes of the same song that are all perfect in their own unique ways.)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your vision for this song? Be as thorough and specific as possible. What are your reference tracks for this song? Any specific aspects that you'd like to emulate? Anything specific that you want to avoid? Anything else you'd like me to add to my notes for your mix?

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

A: Work with people who genuinely understand and appreciate your vision for your music. Don't settle for less. Don't waste your time with people who don't understand, or don't care to understand, your vision. The right people will make it work. They will be honest with you when it won't work and clearly explain the reason why, whatever that may be. In that case, they will also offer possible solutions for your consideration.

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

A: I've been involved in music my whole life. I started playing instruments as a teen and have been producing, recording, and mixing for about a decade. Only in more recent years have I pushed to make a career out of it.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My inspirations are extremely diverse, but in a nutshell - my roots are in punk and metal, and I especially love music that is worldly or psychedelic. I equally enjoy raw authenticity and hyperreal production.

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

A: It would be very cool to work with Ed Wynne of Ozric Tentacles. A truly brilliant guitarist, songwriter, and producer.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Every piece of music is a spirit, alive and wanting realization. Listen to it. It will guide you. (This of course presumes that you already possess some technical chops.)

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

A: Thus far, my experience has been primarily with traditional music such as soulful classic rock and indie pop. However, I am keen to contribute to all varieties of genre.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My musical intuition built on years of studying, analyzing, and enjoying a wide variety of music.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring extensive knowledge of the qualities and nuances of many different styles of music, a deep intuition on how to push a song to achieve the vision, and fantastic arrangement skills. Oh yeah, and I know how to twiddle the knob to make sound good.

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

A: My biggest music production inspirations are probably Ozric Tentacles and Devin Townsend, each with their own very high caliber production values. That said, I am inspired by a huge variety of artists, styles, genres, and eras.

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

A: I mix your music to your specifications. If desired, I can offer direction and guidance to the production decisions, especially arrangement. I also provide complimentary masters which are often used for final publication.