Producer/Engineer/Musician

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

A: I was the tracking engineer for Original P (Parliament Funkadelic) at my then studio in Atlanta for a record that unfortunately was not released by WestBound Records because they told the band that they were pulling funding for funk and getting into hip hop/rap. More recently however, I am most proud of my latest instrumental, "Fusion Lives Free," which is the track being mastered by one of SoundBetter's more popular mastering engineers. The premastered mix is featured on my profile, in which I am the composer, performer of all instruments, and the record/mix engineer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mostly my own music, and a couple of singer/songwriter clients. Looking for more internet, live drum tracking and mix projects!

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

A: Not yet, as I have just recently gotten involved. I will say however that I have hired a major label Mastering Engineer for services on SoundBetter, and am hoping I will be able to recommend him shortly.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Recording path: mics>Midas console> to a DAW running Reaper(preferred) or Studio One. I offer both in the box and analog summed mixes, though the summed mixes take longer, have less recall ability, and cost a bit more. No tape machines, as this is cost prohibitive these days.

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

A: That they will be satisfied, because I will go to very great lengths to insure that.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Seeing an artist's vision manifest into reality, and enjoy working on it.

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

A: Do you offer discounts for album/CD projects? Answer: yes in a manner of speaking, since I charge by the hour for recording clients here at my home studio. The more hours you purchase upfront in blocks, the cheaper they are. For mixing projects over the internet, I will need to download and review the tracks before I agree to work on it for a specific price. I must see what I am working with first, and it is only prudent before I provide a price. The tracks may need editing/cleanup, or there could be other problems with them that I want to see before I commit to a price. I feel the more specifics we both know going in, the happier we are both going to be with the fewest surprises.

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

A: It could be that some people think that I only have experience in rock and fusion, when in fact, I have also worked on a lot of singer/songwriter type recordings that involve acoustic guitars and vocals. That includes folk, soft rock, and country.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: How do you feel I could best help you? Are you under a deadline? How many people are involved in your project? Do you want to track to a click or not? Are you going to want stems? Are you going to want just tracking, or would you also like me to mix and/or produce? Do you have all musicians needed, or would you like me to provide drums, bass or guitars/keys? What is your estimated budget for your project? If just mixing, about how many tracks do you have and what is the instrumentation? What genre of music (more or less) are you in? What style of drum, bass and guitar/keyboard sounds do you envision for your project?

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

A: Like anything shop around until you find who you think would be a good fit. Ask for samples. Review pricing and terms.

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

A: A very big solar generator, water purifier, battery charger, a slingshot, and a portable CD player. Ok- if this is just about absolute favorite pieces of gear- my Midas console, Eventide H3000/3500, Summit Audio TPA200B, Neumann U47, 1176, Pultec.

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

A: Started on guitar, then drums, bass, some keys. Played with many many bands on drums and bass, then got into recording and started buying gear. That never stops! Over 40 years in the business.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Striving for different, unique elements that impart a sonic signature to the music.

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

A: If I had choice, it would probably be Alex Lifeson from Rush. I so enjoy his guitar parts!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Yes, what is being recorded is far more valuable than any piece of gear, and experimentation with parts and instrumentation is key. Watch out with your choices for instruments and parts. Work out everything until everything works and provides the listener with some unpredictability and uniqueness, in addition to insuring variety in the production.

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

A: Mostly rock, and singer/songwriter/guitar, folk, country and the occasional rap/hip hop project. For my original music I write a lot of instrumental fusion/rock, more on the rock side than the jazz side,. Also write the occasional rock song, including vocals, although I am not that strong a vocalist.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: The ability to achieve the sounds the artist is looking for, and engineer recordings that are efficient and effective. I have spent a lifetime recording and working with people, and really enjoy it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: That totally depends on what the artist wants and/or needs. Sometimes I am just an engineer, but other times I can have input and ideas all the way up to Producer. This often will involve arranging, help with verses and choruses, specialty and unique sounds/creative drum, bass, and guitar parts, creative suggestions, and trying to encourage the best performances with a lot of moral support. Or not. It all depends on the experience level and needs of the client.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Pursue pre-production where and when possible, refining material with the artist if needed. Record mostly with click tracks for smoothness, but not always. Enter edit/comp phase to choose and/or comp final takes/clean up tracks. Mixdown with hi-end mastering in mind and test on multiple systems.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Midas console with Presonus Quantum converters can record up to 192 Khz. Every plugin known to man (ok, but a LOT!!) with Yamaha HS8 monitors and HD600 phones. Huge kit of DW drums with all Zildjian cymbals, Ibanez Premium and Artwood Guitars, Taylor 12-string guitar, MusicMan Stingray5 Bass, Korg Kronos X, many VI's like Korg Wavestation and M1, Fractal Audio processing, Reaper/Studio One/Wavelab. Mics include Neumann, CAD, Sennheiser, AT and Shure as well as a couple of secret weapon mics.

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

A: Producers/Engineers- Terry Brown, Jimmy Page, Mutt Lange, Bruce Fairbairn, Quincy Jones, George Martin, Ted Templeman, CLA, Bob Clearmountain, Bruce Swedien and so many others. Musicians- Holdsworth, Husband, Bonham, Peart, Luc-Ponty, S. Smith, Lifeson, Collen, Wooten, R.Armstrong, Knopfler, Plant, JP Jones, Jackson, Prince, and so many more.

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

A: Over the years I have recorded and mixed many different artists ranging from rock to country, rap/hip hop, and many singer/songwriters. The most common type of work I do is recording locals of the various genres. I am often in the role of tracking/mixing engineer, but also have produced in addition to playing live and programmed drums, guitars, and bass on much of it. And through all of it also work my own instrumental music and songs.