Forensic audio restoration & mixing engineer specializing in declipping, AI stem restoration, and dynamic remastering. I transform damaged, over-compressed, or legacy recordings into punchy, modern mixes while preserving musicality, clarity, and dynamics.
I'm a forensic audio restoration and mixing engineer specializing in rock, metal, punk rock and alternative music.
My work focuses on restoring heavily compressed recordings, recovering dynamics, improving clarity, and creating modern mixes while respecting the original performance. I regularly work with AI-assisted stem separation, declipping, phase correction, EQ balancing, transient enhancement, and detailed mix refinement.
My workflow includes:
Dynamic restoration and declipping
AI stem reconstruction
Mixing from separated stems
Drum enhancement with natural punch
Bass definition and low-end control
Guitar clarity and stereo imaging
Vocal cleanup and placement
Mastering preparation
I work primarily in REAPER and combine traditional engineering techniques with modern restoration tools to achieve professional results.
Whether you need an old recording restored, a modern remix, a punchier rock production, or improved clarity from difficult source material, I approach every project carefully and communicate throughout the process.
I believe great engineering isn't about making everything louder, it's about bringing the performance back to life while preserving emotion and musical impact.
If you're looking for someone who enjoys solving difficult audio problems and pays close attention to detail, I'd be happy to discuss your project.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Interview with Seth Kyle
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: One project I'm particularly proud of is my unofficial enhancement of Green Day's "One of My Lies." I restored the audio, enhanced the mix, improved instrument balance, and preserved the song's energy while respecting the character of the original recording. It showcases my philosophy of improving clarity and dynamics without losing what made the performance special.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm continuing to refine my restoration workflow while building my portfolio of declipping, mix enhancement, and archival restoration projects.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I'm new to SoundBetter, so I'd rather let clients choose the specialist who best fits their project if my services aren't the right match.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital. It offers precision, consistency, and powerful restoration tools while still allowing musical creativity.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Every project receives careful attention, honest communication, and the best result I can achieve without compromising musical integrity.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Helping recordings sound their best while preserving the emotion of the original performance.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you fix this recording? Usually yes—I'll evaluate the audio first and explain what's realistically achievable before starting.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That restoration can magically recreate information that's completely missing. Restoration improves what's there; it can't invent a performance that was never recorded.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What's your goal for this project? Do you have reference tracks? Do you have the original WAV files or stems? Is there anything you'd like preserved or avoided?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Choose someone whose portfolio demonstrates results, not just promises. Clear communication before the project starts is equally important.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop, audio interface, studio headphones, external SSD and REAPER.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I'm a self-taught audio engineer who developed a passion for forensic restoration and mix enhancement through years of independent study and personal projects.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Transparent, dynamic, detailed, and respectful of the original recording.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Lacuna Coil. Their evolving sound and production history make them an ideal fit for my restoration and mix enhancement philosophy.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: A louder mix isn't always a better mix. Preserving dynamics often makes music feel more impactful.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Mostly rock, metal, alternative, and related genres, although I enjoy working on any project that benefits from restoration or mix enhancement.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Critical listening and forensic audio restoration.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A fresh perspective, attention to detail, preserved dynamics, and an emphasis on musicality over loudness.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I first evaluate the source audio, identify its strengths and limitations, restore damaged elements if needed, improve the mix while preserving dynamics, and finish with quality control before delivery.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work in REAPER using a digital workflow focused on restoration and mixing. My toolkit includes professional restoration software, stem separation workflows when appropriate, and careful monitoring for critical listening.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Steven Wilson inspires my philosophy of revealing details already present in a recording. I'm also inspired by producers and engineers who prioritize musical dynamics, clarity, and faithful restoration.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I specialize in forensic audio restoration, declipping, and mix enhancement. My goal is to recover clarity and dynamics while respecting the original performance rather than changing its identity.
Typical delivery: 3-14 days. 1-3 revisions included depending on service. Extra revisions or major changes may incur additional charges.
- Lacuna Coil
- Green Day
Welcome! As a new SoundBetter provider, I'm offering 10% off of your first project. Feel free to message me before placing an order so we can discuss your goals and choose the best service for your audio.
