Pop/R&B/Rap Mixing & Mastering

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

A: Demoralized by Natalie Carmical. The mix needed to honor what the performance was doing emotionally without over-processing it. I think we got it right and that one meant a lot to me.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on mixing and mastering an amazing album from a local Louisville client of mine. I've listened to the demos and it's crazy good.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I use analog modeled processing throughout my chain because the character is real. But digital is where professional work gets done now and modern tools are genuinely incredible.

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

A: Clear communication, honest feedback, and a mix that actually sounds like what you had in your head.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Getting to hear awesome music before it releases to the public. Never gets old.

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

A: Many people assume I can just make a preset and never mess with it, but I always stress that each project, each single, and even each section of a record is different.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I really like to ask what direction a client is going artistically and/or musically. It's helpful to know the context behind what I'm working on.

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

A: Don't be afraid to be critical! Your feedback is the most beneficial thing that I as your engineer can have. Be specific and ask questions if you need help articulating something you're looking for. Also, send a reference track, two is better.

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

A: Apollo Twin, Lauten Atlantis, Pro Tools on a laptop, my Korg keyboard, and some Beyerdynamic DT Pro 900 prox headphones. That is basically my whole setup so it works out.

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

A: I started as a classical pianist and percussionist which gave me a strong ear for tonality and melody. That background translates directly into how I approach Pop and R&B records. I transitioned into engineering, moved fast, and have 25+ released credits and 50k+ streams since. I learn something new every session and it has only made me better.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Clean, modern, and polished. The kind of mix that sounds like it belongs on a playlist next to a major label release. I want warmth, clarity, and aggression that gets people hooked.

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

A: Brakence! I'm a big fan of his music and artistry. I would honestly like to learn his recording/mixing process, as he has one of the most unique tones I have ever heard in pop.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't be afraid of interesting panning! I absolutely love panning adlibs and moving sound around. I really like Pancake 2 or manual panning automation.

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

A: Mostly Pop and R&B. Think Drake, Tate McRae, Bryson Tiller. That melodic, polished sound is where I live. I also work with a wide variety of Hip-Hop subgenres, from drill to raw boom bap. No genre discrimination here. I love hearing new things!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Vocal mixing for Pop and R&B records. I am classically trained which gives me a really strong ear for pitch and tonality, and that directly informs how I approach vocal tuning and comping in Melodyne. Getting a vocal to sit clean, present, and emotionally engaging in a modern pop mix without sounding over-processed is what I have put the most time into and where I feel most confident.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Clarity and intention. I understand that engineering is more than just cleaning up a track. I figure out what makes your work special and build everything around protecting that.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I always listen to two tracks in the same genre. Usually ones that I already know and like to get my ears primed. Then I listen to the record I'm mixing and/or mastering. I want to understand the vision first. From there I build the mix around the vocal and check in with the artist before final delivery so there are no surprises. For instrumental-only mixes, I break it down into instrument sections and go from there.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It's pretty simple. I use Pro Tools, Universal Audio Thunderbolt, Avalon, Distressor, Heritage Audio HA73 preamp, Focal and Yamaha monitors, UAD, Waves, FabFilter and much more on the plugin side.

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

A: I would say my musical inspirations are Michael Jackson, Jon Bellion, and Kendrick Lamar. On the engineering side Manny Marroquin and Serban Ghenea are my main references.

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

A: Mixing and mastering Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop records. Most of my clients come to me needing their vocals to sound competitive with what is on streaming right now, and that is exactly what I focus on. I work with both stems and 2-track instrumentals.