Mixing (& free mastering) for rock, pop, jazz, acoustic bands & singer-songwriters. From explosive drums to delicate textures, radio-ready mixes with your organic soul intact. - You get a mix file (-6dBFS) & a free master (-1dBFS).
Whether you are in a rock band needing explosive, punchy drums, or an acoustic singer-songwriter requiring delicate textures and intimate vocal presence—I'd like to help you turn raw tracks into radio-ready and streaming masters with attention to clarity, punch, balance, and loudness that competes with today's music industry standards without destroying your natural dynamics.
I am currently working with singer-songwriters and indie bands in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and building up a portfolio.
I'd like to help you achieve your vision of how you'd like your music to sound.
I look forward to working with you.
Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Interview with Kien Lim
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently mixed and mastered an organic track where the guitars and vocals were muddy and the live drums felt flat due to a poor tracking room and uneven playing. I managed to bring the band to life using my favourite plugins from Sonible, SSL & UAD. My role was mixing and mastering engineer, and seeing the artist’s reaction to the finished product was unforgettable.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am currently working with independent indie-rock and acoustic artists, polishing up tracks to optimise their recordings and vocal intimacy for upcoming streaming and radio releases.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital workflow with an analog soul. I use emulations from UAD, Softube, Plugin Alliance, SSL and Sonible amongst other plugins because they are able to produce the vibe that is needed for each song/composition.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to treat your art with the absolute respect, maintaining transparent communication and working hard until you are completely happy with how your song/music sounds.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Turning a collection of raw audio files into a final product that communicates the artist's vision to the world. I find this satisfying and rewarding.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That everything can be fixed in the mix. A but a bad recording does have its limitations but I will endeavour to make every track sound it's best for the song.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Who are your top commercial reference artists for this specific project? Are there any specific arrangement details or vocal elements you want highlighted in the mix?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Look for someone who actually listens to your vision and respects the genre. Choose an engineer who resonates with you and your vision.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My MacBook Pro running Logic Pro X, a pair of Focal monitors, an SSL interface, a SM58, and a Gibson J45!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started as a guitarist, mucked about with samplers, turned to songwriting and singing, then to mixing my own songs. I then started mixing for a few artists in London(2010) and now in Malaysia.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Warm, punchy, dynamic, and organic. I strive for a natural, human end product.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to mix a project for an artist like Dan Auerbach or Khruangbin. Raw, explosive band energy to deeply intimate, organic textures.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Mix with the ears.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I work with indie bands, acoustic singer-songwriters and also a hybrid of live and programmed instruments.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Getting the music to reflect the artist's vision. I have delivered songs with fat drums, as well as intimate close up mixes for singer-songwriters. My strongest skill is feeling what the artist is trying to achieve.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring perspective and dynamic life. I listen to a track first, seeing what needs fixing and how to retain the artist's vision. I'd like the artist to be proud of their work and prioritise this in my work.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I begin by organizing the session, fixing phase issues, and cleaning up tracks. Next, I build a balanced static mix using volume and panning after which I use my plugins to create space, analog warmth, and to ensure the vocals and instruments sit perfectly.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I run a optimised digital studio centred around Logic Pro X. I use analog-modeling plugin from Universal Audio (UAD), SSL, Plugin Alliance and Softube for vintage colour, alongside modern tools from Sonible.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am heavily inspired by mix legends who favor vibe and emotion over clinical perfection. I The Black Keys for their raw sound, and Steve Christensen for his analog vintage organic warmth with Khruangbin.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I work with bands and singer-songwriters who have unmixed tracks who would like their music radio ready and for upload to streaming platforms like Spotify.
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $200 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- The Black Keys
- Khruangbin
- Queens of the Stone Age
- SSL
- UAD
- SONIBLE
- SOFTUBE
- PLUGIN ALLIANCE.
