Josh Aarons on SoundBetter

Helping rock and alternative artists turn their sonic visions into professional, impactful recordings they love.

I'm a recording and mixing engineer specializing in rock and alternative music. If you want your drums to sound big and alive, your guitars powerful, your bass tight and upfront, and your vocals clear and emotionally compelling, look no further!

My process:
Tracking through high-end analog preamps for warmth and depth
Closely referencing your favorite records to capture the exact vibe you're going for
Using multiple mics on each source (including room mics) to capture rich detail, natural ambience, and authentic energy
Mixing while tracking so you hear a polished version of your song as its being built
Final mix delivered once tracking is complete, with you sitting in for real-time input and approval

Specialties:
I have a deep love for classic drum sounds and excel at capturing drums that feel straight out of the 70s, 80s, or 90s. Whether you want the dry, punchy, organic drum tone of Fleetwood Mac, or the big atmospheric, powerful drums of 90s alternative (Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam), I can deliver those iconic sounds with precision.
I mix using VU meters to ensure every element sits perfectly in the balance from the very first take, so you always know your song is heading in the right direction.
Above all, I treat vocals as the most important element in the track, making sure they are clear, present, and upfront in the mix.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Languages

English

Endorse Josh Aarons1 Reviews

by Andrew Baxter
Josh rocks. From engineering through to mixing, he had it down and captured the instruments in the best way possible for the songs. Came with ideas as well for capturing the frequencies and tones we wanted. Def recommend, see big things in his future!

Interview with Josh Aarons

Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love working with artists to meet their needs and get closest to what they want their record to sound like. It's great to hear artists who are fully pleased with what they are hearing.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been doing this for about 9 years now. I started out playing in bands and learned to record and mix my own music. I studied under engineers who worked at Sony and Capitol Records, gaining an understanding of advanced recording principles and techniques.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Clean and present. Every element I record and mix is clear and audible.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'd like to work with an artist who is about to make it big. It would be an honor to work on a record that ends up making an artist.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Getting sounds at the source is more important than anything else. I make sure everything sounds great going into pro tools and avoid trying to fix it in the mix.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock and alternative and some jazz.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I capture clean sounding recordings reminiscent of classic records.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I usually receive a demo and some references from clients, then tracking the basic instruments - drums and bass, and overdubbing guitar, vocals, and other elements. Sometimes for a more live sound, I'll track drums and bass or drums and guitar simultaneously to capture the raw energy of the band or artist.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I track into all analog SSL preamps to achieve the same sound as a recording console and then mostly mix in pro tools. If needed, I'll run out of pro tools into analog outboard gear to achieve a warmer sound.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Catherine Marks, Mark "Spike" Stent, and Rich Costey - Masters of recording and mixing.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Band tracking, rough mixes, and final mixes.