Music Producer

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I get to work from home and make something different every day.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Can you send me some reference tracks of the type of sound you're going for and an example of your vocals?

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: It's mainly a heavy hand in hip hop with elements of r&b, pop, electronic, world, and classical.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is editing.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a diverse background in sample archiving, extensive editing experience, knowledge of how to write music that licenses, vocal coaching, and mixing.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually start by listening to some reference tracks, discussing the key/tempo, and listening to any demos the artist has. I'll sketch a beat foundation. Get feedback from the vocalist. Add more melody or rhythm. Get feedback from the vocalist. Record vocals. Sit with the song for a day and analyze it. Get feedback from the vocalist. Finish the mix and master. Pitch the songs to my licensing contacts and help the artist figure out album artwork and how to get setup with a Performance Rights Organization.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on modernizing some cover songs for Universal Production Music.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital for the ease of recall.

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

A: We will both level up creatively.

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

A: Q: How much do you charge for...? A: It depends on A, B, C.

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

A: Creative problem solving isn't a linear solution.

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

A: Find a few songs that have a similar sound to what you imagine you want your music to sound like. Know what key range you usually sing in. Have some demos available to send.

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

A: Laptop, Headphones, Midi controller, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

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

A: I started as a beat maker going to shows and introducing myself to singers and rappers and having them listen to beats in my car. After three years I began recording people in my house and producing on projects. Once I had more kids than bedroom space available, I built a commercial recording studio and operated it for seven years. I found my way into the world of music licensing, artist management, and composing for picture. I have been doing this for 17 years and keep trying to master something that I can never fully master. That's what keeps me going.

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

A: Kanye West or Jon Bellion to witness what so many describe as creative genius.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Tune your drums to the root or the 5th of the song.

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

A: Hip hop, electronic, ambient/meditation, pop.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Sound treated home studio with 5 sets of speakers. Two computers. One at a standing desk for composing and another at a sitting desk in a sweet spot for mixing/mastering. Several keyboards and guitar pedals for FX.

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

A: Ryan Tedder, Dr Dre, Kanye West, Mike Dean, Pharrell, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Rick Rubin, Zaytoven, Alchemist, Just Blaze, Danny Elfman, and Hans Zimmer.

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

A: I create instrumental tracks for songwriters and write music for advertising companies.