Production & Development

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

A: Joe O Donnels - Celtic Cargo as a professional bassist playing 6 string fretted and fretless basses, recorded. Mixed, Edited and Mastered the whole album which received great reviews for its production and finish

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: personal projects

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

A: No

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both have there value and place, maintaining the right balance is key.

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

A: That they get the very best of my skills and experience on every occasion

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Seeing the response I get as I offer new ideas and bring development to what started out as one voice and one instrument

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

A: How long and How much. My response is always that it depends on you the client how well rehearsed you are, how many retakes are required, how in time and in tune and how much further track development is required

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

A: That the process will be quick, true that I am efficient enough to complete the processes in good time. But not at the expense of quality and finish. A lot of misunderstanding about reverb, compression , and the editing processes.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Purpose of recordings ? Personal enjoyment,? General release, mainstream streaming channels ? Tracks for demo (which must be every bit as good as proper mastered tracks if they are intended to gain bookings or work.)

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

A: Practice. And practice some more. Be STUDIO READY Studio time is expensive. Whilst I am happy doing as many retakes as necessary, it’s your money that’s getting burned up.

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

A: Bible , and a chest full of prescribed medications . An acoustic guitar and a good pair of Raybans !

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

A: Previously, a skilled sales and marketing director. Ran my own freight forwarding company specialising in heavy lift and out-of/gauge machinery worldwide. Last 23 years running my own studio

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Friendly, supportive able to listen and develop each project beyond the clients expectations

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

A: I have no preferences, I’m just happy when the client goes away with the best product possible and comes back for more.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Personally for me, music, voices and instruments must be in- time and in- tune, sympathetic to each of the instruments or voices and the genre being recorded .

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

A: Christian, Pop/Rock, Funk, Soul, Rap, Hip-Hop, Chill, driven by individual clients needs,

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: A good ear, extremely patient representing genuine value for money.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: 45 years as a semi & professional musician and studio owner. Worked with most genres and styles. Always able to bring fresh ideas and find common ground with all of my clients. All of whom have returned for second and third albums or have sought to explore new avenues.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Record, develop as required mix, edit & master

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Small and friendly acoustically correct in studio recording , top of the range microphones, audio interfaces and using Protools, Waves, Melodyne and izotope mastering tools. But it’s not about the gear, it’s about the ear !

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

A: Many & Various

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

A: Recording, Mixing, Editing & Mastering . Where required Full Track Development , playing various instruments, virtual and live recorded and arranging professional skilled session players when required. Drum programming with BFD & Superior Drummer.