Mix/Master/Edit/Restore

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

A: I never "kiss and tell"! I have got a kick out of everything from Restoration of live albums by major artists I love, to creation of beautiful albums for local musicians 'found' at open mic nights.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A Doors cover-band project - Great production on the original, so great production needed for them also.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I am new here and just finding my feet! My studio has existed on just word of mouth for 30 years.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Some processes are best done digitally and some in analogue.

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

A: You will love it.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Happy Customer and a piece of art.

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

A: Q: How did you make it sound so big! A: Shaping processes and love... ;o)

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

A: That anyone can do it in 5 minutes. Reality is that good sound takes time and good ears/experience.

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

A: Try people out on a sample, and see if you like what they do. Be wary of people claiming who they've worked with and how many grammy awards they have. - It is usually nonsense. - I never kiss and tell!

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

A: RME interface / Headphones, Solar panel/Battery/sinewave inverter. and a DAW PC loaded to the gills!

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

A: My first commercial recordings were done on 16 track in the mid 1980s. My first shoebox cassette recording of my Roberts radio was 1974!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Laid back. There for the quality and enjoyment of music making.

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

A: Someone like Laurie Anderson who comes with artistic ideas / songs which need realising into musical production.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't stay in the box!

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

A: All sorts. Folk. Country. Singer-Songwriter, Piano-based (Lots of piano sound choices!), heavy rock, pop,

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am an all-rounder I think! From vocals, to tuning, to editing, to mixing and mastering, I strive to produce a world-class result. I can rescue a rough recording and make it great. - We can (really!) "Fix it in the mix" now!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Engineering skills, knowledge, capability, equipment, and a great production ear for what works and what's missing.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: This varies per Artiste, but I will usually - Assess and discuss. Agree the best approach in regard to using existing material or recreating. Agree the feel required. Assess sounds to use. Develop each sound. - Processes and effects. Mix. Master. Edit/Transcribe to media.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: It is built as a mastering studio in regards to room and equipment. However it is also highly spec'd and capable for recording, mixing and mastering. Sometimes it is 100% in the box, but mostly it uses outboard and summing practices for mixing.

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

A: Inspired by the recording quality of George Martin, David Sylvian, Laurie Anderson, Grace Jones, etc combined with modern pop production skills and capabilities.

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

A: Work done is a whole mix of Recording, Editing, Remixing, Tuning, Restoring, and Mastering.