MIXING & MASTERING

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

A: I am especially proud of working on the full-length album “Conda - 춤”. It was a genre I had not worked with before, and I had the opportunity to mix tracks featuring a variety of vocalists. I handled mixing for the entire album, making it a meaningful experience, especially as it was my first full-length album project.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on an album with a Korean producer. As it has not been released yet, I’m unable to share detailed information at this time.

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

A: I don’t have anyone to recommend at the moment.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I personally love analog for its unique tone, texture, and the character created by different hardware combinations. However, I mostly work digitally now, as it allows for easier revisions and the creation of more detailed and versatile sounds.

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

A: I will work diligently, but not just hard—I will work smart and deliver high-quality results. I commit to providing timely work and always listening carefully to the artist’s feedback.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I feel great satisfaction when, after listening to a guide track, I follow the direction and the result matches exactly what I envisioned. Most importantly, my greatest joy comes from seeing artists satisfied with the work I’ve done.

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

A: Customers often ask, “How does it sound?” Especially when working with indie artists or first-time album creators, they want feedback on whether the music feels right. I give honest opinions—praising what works well and suggesting improvements if something feels off—always clarifying that it’s my personal perspective.

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

A: While most artists understand mixing, some tend to think of mastering as simply increasing the volume. In reality, mastering involves carefully enhancing the track’s clarity, balance, and overall sound quality to make it polished and ready for release.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: - Could you give me a brief introduction to the song? - Do you have any reference tracks you’d like me to follow? - What is your desired deadline for this project? - Are there any specific areas you’d like me to pay extra attention to during the work?

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

A: Feel free to communicate openly with me. If you’re not satisfied with the results, don’t hesitate to give honest feedback. I value artist feedback highly and am willing to accept any suggestions to deliver the best possible final product.

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

A: I would take my speakers, audio interface, laptop, essential plugins, and my DAW, as these are the core tools I need to create professional mixes and masters anywhere.

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

A: I originally studied guitar, but as I met many musicians as an adult, I realized my skills were quite limited. Around 10 years ago, a friend suggested we start a studio together, which led me to learn recording and begin my career. Over time, I naturally expanded into mixing and mastering, working with a wide range of Korean indie artists and YouTube creators. I have contributed to hundreds of tracks, from full album releases to cover songs, gaining extensive experience along the way.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I believe that perfection may not exist, but I can only satisfy the artist if I’m satisfied with the work myself. I approach every track with care, meticulously controlling each element to ensure that every song receives detailed attention and a polished result.

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

A: While there are many artists I admire, if I had to choose one, it would be Cody Fry. His music is incredibly beautiful and has consistently amazed me with its unique sound. As for the style I’d love to work on, I enjoy all genres, but I’m especially drawn to tracks with atmosphere and mood that evoke emotion.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Persistence is key. While individual tracks may sound good on their own, the balance can change when played together. I carefully revisit and adjust each track to maintain the overall balance, ensuring a polished and cohesive final mix.

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

A: I mainly work on tracks from Korean indie artists, as well as acoustic, band, hip-hop, and pop music, bringing out the unique character and energy of each song.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is mixing. I excel at balancing all elements of a track to create a cohesive, clear, and professional sound that enhances the artist’s vision.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I provide artists with clarity and precision in their music, ensuring that every instrument and element can be heard distinctly, resulting in a clean and detailed mix that highlights the song’s essence.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For mixing, I receive the multi-track stems along with reference or monitor mixes and listen to a brief explanation from the artist about the song. I then complete an initial mix and send it to the artist for feedback, making revisions promptly before resubmitting. For mastering, I work to enhance the track while keeping it as close to the original mix as possible, ensuring a natural and polished final sound.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I primarily use Pro Tools Ultimate as my main DAW. My monitoring setup consists of Genelec 8341 speakers with two 7350 subwoofers. For plugins, I work with a wide range including Waves, UAD, Plugin Alliance, HOFA, Goodhertz, Slate Digital, and iZotope, allowing me to achieve precise and professional mixes and masters.

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

A: I draw a lot of inspiration from artists such as Cody Fry, Billie Eilish, Yussef Dayes, The Weeknd, Laufey, and Daniel Caesar, particularly in how they shape emotion and atmosphere in their music.

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

A: I mainly provide professional mixing and mastering services for a variety of tracks, ensuring clarity, balance, and a polished final sound.