Mishal Zeera on SoundBetter

Personable, reliable, attentive and accountable. Live recorded instruments are my thing and I love drums. Vocals are also very important to me. Vocal performances and lyrics often determine the direction of my mixes! I mix hybrid - analogue character with automation and recallability.

*Free test mix for larger projects see below*

Hi, Im Mishal and I have been producing, recording and mixing for 30 years! Friendly, fast, reliable, I have worked professionally with pop, rock, indie, hip hop, electronica, singer songwriters..

My mixing package includes:

- vocal tuning and editing if needed
- drum editing, replacement, phase correction if needed
- great analogue equipment (Rupert Neve Designs, SSL, Summit Audio and more)
- a stereo mix and a stereo master

If you have a larger project in mind, or you want to work together more often in the future, I'll make you a free test mix.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

6 Reviews

Endorse Mishal Zeera

by Eric N. Hoogendoorn
Have been working with Mishal on a couple of my own songs and he exactly feels what I want in my songs. I have my song in my head, and he has the skill of getting "my song" out of my head the way I want it and had it planned. Besides that he knows how to add the extra's to finalize the total package. It is very pleasant and relaxed working with him.
by Floris Bates
After having a lot of trouble finding a good sound engineers to mix and master my first full album, I met Mishal through mutual friends in the underground scene. I couldn't have hoped for anyone better. Mishal understood the overall sound of the album which multiple other engineers failed to do. In my experience in the indie scene, it's very hard to find someone who is able to adapt to your style and who won't press his/her/their own vision on your music too much. The contact was always very relaxed, friendly and cooperative. A good experience overall which I would absolutely recommend.
by Joost
Mishal did great work on our mix. He understood what we wanted in our mix. he found that sweet spot for both a natural and direct sounding mix. Excellent communication and overall service. Highly recommended.
by Daisy R.
Mishal is one of those rare finds - a highly skilled mixer/producer, a keenly proficient and inventive multi-instrumentalist, great songwriter, as well as just a pleasure to work with. It's what sets him apart, as anything he works on will be elevated, balanced, and highly musical. I genuinely feel Mishal is one of the best producer/mixers around at the moment. Highly recommend.
by Buster van der Gugten
I've had several very good experiences with Mishal. That includes recording, mixing and mastering. He really hears what works best for songs of several genres.
by Martijn Winkel
Mishal is a fine producer with respect to the artist and affordable fee. He has great musical skills and especially live recording in studio with drums was just a wonderful experience.

Interview with Mishal Zeera

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: From complete non-musicians? That I'm a DJ.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Find someone who respects and supports your self-belief and vision, who also sometimes gives input worth listening to. A Grammy and a big name doesn't mean they are right for you, either.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A very good old 335, a Hammond, a piano, something to record myself with that I can add reverb on, an electric bass and a drumkit. Thats 6 things. Sorry.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A sense of respect for the song itself, a critical ear for the audio.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: To really listen to it as music first and get a good balance. After that bring out the best in the tracks with whatever is needed. Never do anything by default.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: The computer running Reaper, analogue buss compressors and tube EQ's, character verbs (SPX90 is my current fav) and a few flavours of compression for individual tracks.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I like the older generation, Geoff Emerick, Glyn Johns, Bob Clearmountain. Everything they did still holds up and is still culturally valuable.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: "Can you make it like the demo but better?" Its a paradox. I answer yes and do my best. It seems to work.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Some references to songs they like the sound of. Something that helps me get into their head a bit.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Generally, music that can be performed live on physical instruments. Everything from hysterically aggressive punk to very delicate singer-songwriters.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I learn from the raw material whats needed, and trust my intuition.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mainly mixing but also help with arrangements, instruments and performances.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: The best answer Ive heard to that is "Yes!". Analog or digital? Yes. I like both a lot. Its a wonderful time to be working with music, from a technical perspective. In short, the recall and speed of digital plus the mysteriously deep sound of (good) analogue gear is a marriage made in heaven.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recorded and co-produced a band in a country house in England over the summer of 2010. We had originally booked to go into a local studio, but we didn't like the feel of the place. We ended up using this house that had the most incredible sounding front hall. We got some great performances, guitar tones and atmospheres. I think of it as a real accomplishment because every time I hear the record, I go right back in time.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love a good song.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Really, the next guy or girl who comes along. I am curious by nature and celebrity/success doesn't necessarily equate with talent and musicianship.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: A long time - since I was a kid. Some of my earliest memories are of myself playing the family piano with the sustain pedal on, then just listening to the reverb tail of it. I was playing in bands as a teen, started making demos for people at home, studied audio engineering 25 years ago, kept at it while playing in bands until the present. I'm as much a musician as a technician.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Transparent but deeply involved. Careful, careful balance between rawness/spirit and professionalism/audiophile considerations.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don't eat for a few hours before singing, and especially avoid dairy, drink lemon in water.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not sure yet.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That I do my best, that their best efforts will be brought to light.