Songwriting/Mixing/Mastering

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

A: Every new project I work on is my favorite because I'm always getting better and trying new and interesting things with the mixes.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Without a doubt it's bring out the mood of the song the way I think the artist intends.

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

A: How much will it cost? I ALWAYS give a project cost. If that means that I work extra hours to make it work then so be it. I will NEVER charge by the hour.

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

A: That anyone can do it. There's a lot of difference between adjusting volumes and panning verses bringing out the emotion of the song and every piece of the song that needs to be showcased.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. Most importantly do you have a couple reference songs that sound the way you want your song to sound.

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

A: Be clear on what you want. Pick someone that is easy to talk to and can understand what you are looking for.

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

A: My computer, a mic, my monitors, and a keyboard

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

A: Originally I was a musician myself. I traveled the Southeast and recording a few CD's. One which did very well oversees. I stopped playing for a while to raise my family but once my son started playing seriously, I started recording and mixing again. I went to Berklee to learn more about mixing and mastering and earned a Mixing and Mastering Specialist Certificate.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I have two styles. Depending on what my client wants. I like to produce most of my music so it sounds the way I would picture it if it was being played live. I want listeners to believe they are at the concert. Second, if the client wants a very produced studio sound, I like to hear it very clean, with all the parts creating a sound that surrounds the listener. I spread it around so that it sounds huge.

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

A: I like to work on songs with a lot of moving parts. Songs that bring out emotion. I enjoy working on Rock, Hip Hop, Christian, Jazz, Orchestral and Pop.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring the ability to "listen" to my clients and "hear" what THEY hear and what they want out for the song. It doesn't have to agree with what I think because it's THEIR song. I will give suggestions but in the end they are paying me to give them what they want.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The first thing I like to do is listen to my clients tracks and see if there are any adjustments that we can make in the recording piece that will give us a much better mix and master. Once the client and I agree that it's ready to go, I will do my first run mix and send it to the client to evaluate. Once approved I'll move on to the final mix and again send to the client for approval. After approval has been given I will send it thru mastering and again send it out for approval. Final payment is never accepted until my clients are happy and have given their final approval.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Well set up for mixing and mastering. Great room quality. I use Presonus Studio One Pro 3, Izotope Ozone, Nuetron, RX4 and Vinyl. Waves, CLA Production Suite, CLA classic compressors, Brainworks, Slate VMR and many more. JBL LSR308's, Yamaha Hs7's, PRS guitars, Marshall amps.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently working on a new Christian album, a new hard rock group, an up and coming POP artist, and a New Age EP.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because everything is right at you fingertips, easy to manipulate and powerful.

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

A: I PROMISE that they will get a professional project, and that they will be happy or they do not have to buy the product.

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

A: I would actually like to work with Chris Lord-Alge. That man is a genius. The way he gets separation and clarity is just amazing.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The better the recording, the better the mix. If the recordings are done well, and in the style that the client wants it to sound like, then it's usually pretty easy to get the sound that the client is looking for.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Finding the sound that my clients want. I will never be happy if they aren't happy. It doesn't always happen after the first mix but it ALWAYS happens before I'm finished.

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

A: Mixing client home or studio recordings. Editing, Tuning, EQ, Compression, Effects, and Balancing. Mastering using various software.

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

A: My favorite Production specialists are Chris Lord Alge and Michael Baskette.