Edit,Mix,Master

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I really strive to get that "it" sound. If people say to the artist "wow that sounds legit", I'm happy.

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

A: I work on ALL kinds of music. I do end up working on a lot of rock and ambient indie music. I've been known to do ton of hiphop, rap, and pop as well.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I really try to get out of the way of the song. If we do it right the listener only hears the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I listen to a lot of mixes I like prior to getting started. I load the mix prepped files into one of my custom templates for routing. From here I work my mixing magic. This usually consists of a combination of plugins and hardware. Once I have my mix to a place I like I will load the files up to bounceboss. Once approved I will usually run my mixes to tape prior to mastering. After that it's off to mastering!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use a hybrid set up of the most state of the art plugins along with classic analog gear. All run through top shelf pre-amps and converters. My mix room, is acoustically treated so that the tracks I work on can translate optimally. Most of my mixes are run to tape prior to mastering. For the gear nerds I will list specifically some of the gear I use below. Focal Solo 6be Monitors Yamaha NS-10 Monitors Antelope Orion 32+ Converters Various UA 1176 Compressors WA-412 Pre-amps WA273eq Pre-amps and EQs TNC-ACMP-EQ Pre-amps and EQs UA-610-Preamps and EQs WA-76 Compressor EL-Distressor Compressor/limiter The list goes on and on and changes all the time.

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

A: Serban Ghenea and Jeff Juliano are my favorite mixers. As far as musicians I would have to say Anika Niles is a stellar drummer.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Just really hearing song through the mix as a whole before the elements are processed. Knowing the direction really helps when you are try to go somewhere. I give my best effort and I believe it shows in my mixes.

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

A: There are a lot that I'm proud of. I think Josh Neace's "Worthy" was a fun one because I got to play most of the instruments. It turned out great and he was a fun guy to work with.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on a synth wave project that I'm super excited about. We are in the early stages of pre-pro and it's looking to be a pretty awesome project.

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

A: James Curtis

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, Hybrid all the way. Using both you get the best of both worlds. I think neither is stronger on it's own. The flexibility of digital and tone of analog.

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

A: I will be invested to the success of any project I work on as though it was my own. I'll carry the weight of that until the project is complete.

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

A: The amount of work that can go into a given project. Those of us mixing can often be as invested in the outcome as the artist.

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

A: 1.) A laptop loaded with a daw/plugins. 2.) An interface, something solid. 3.)My Distressor 4.)My Sm7b 5.)My Focal monitors

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

A: I had the opportunity as a teen to play guitar professionally and tour in various bands. This gave me a jump start allowing me access to recording gear and instruments. I tinkered for a long time. I later found a studio to work at and learn further. Eventually I moved away and freelanced mostly working on personal projects as well as friends music. I suppose I always kept one foot in music at all times. I played various instruments in numerous bands and would record/mix as I went along. Some years later I was called upon to run a new recording studio here in Houston. I ran Blackbeard for around 6 years going freelance a little over a year ago. Over all I have been in the industry for over 15 years.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That I get to be a part of creating. There is great satisfaction in creating things you are proud of. It's three-fold; I'm Happy for creating, the artist happy for creating, and the listener is happy having the creation.

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

A: Can we do this? (whatever the sound or style may be) Yes. We just have to have the courage to go for it.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What does this song feel like to you?

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

A: Well first of all pick me to do your mix. Vibe is most important. Feel what you record and it will come out great no matter who records it.

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

A: Mostly mixing and mastering.

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

A: Anika Niles, she is just a killer drummer and I would love to be a witness to her skill in person.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Reference your mixes! It will really help you anchor yourself. Diverge from it yes. Make your own sound of course, but find your footing!