Online Mix Engineer / Producer

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

A: Just finalized "Sangria" album by Baby Bash and Frankie J. We worked on this album over a span of 6 years. I did much of the recording, mixing, production and I featured on the album as well.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently working on Baby Bash and Paul Wall "Legalizers" album part 2.

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

A: I'm not sure yet,

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both are essential to my workflow. Analog gear adds a flavor that can't be duplicated in the computer, and Digtal provides a faster workflow that can't be done in the analog world.

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

A: I will treat your record as my own, and will do my best work to enhance and take it to the next level.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I enjoy the reaction from the artist when they hear me add my touch to their song.

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

A: Do you offer any discounts? Yes I do, for 5 or more songs I can do a lower rate.

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

A: I think people don't realize the amount of time it can take to properly mix a song. For instance, you may have a decent mix on your song already. But, when your session or wave files are sent to me there may be many effects and plug ins that don't transfer over. That's why it's important to send a refernce. At times there may also be missing vocals or instruments, so session file management is also a big factor that can affect your turn around time.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: 1. Do you have a reference version of your song? 2. What do you like or dislike about the current Mix / Track? 3. What albums or songs are you listening to now that you like the quality of mixes / production? 4. When do you plan on releasing this song?

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

A: Don't be discouraged by rates. I know there are a lot of providers that may charge a lower rate, but I offer many years of experience in my field and customer service that will save you a ton of time in the long run. Try me out with a single song to begin with, so you can experience the difference in quality.

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

A: Mac Book Pro, Antelope Pure 2 converters, ableton push 2, focal alpha 50, avalon vt 737

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

A: I've been Producing and Mixing professionally for 18 years. I graduated with a degree in Music Business and Audio Engineering in 2000. I had already been interning at a recording studio after high school. After producing for many artists, I began working in larger studios and began focusing more on mixing techniques with analog gear. I founded my commercial studio in 2009, iMIXhouston. This later transitioned into the current iMIX Recording Studios LLC with 2 partners.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Edgy and Modern with old school influences.

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

A: Innovative artists in general that break the traditional molds of pop muisc. Specifically Kanye West who is not afraid to break the different barriers between genres.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't destroy the quality of your instrumental tracks by using adding too many instruments or over-compressing and limiting to make them super loud. There still needs to be some head room for the artist to record vocals.

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

A: Mostly Trap music lately using Autotune, also vibey type music in the style of Post Malone, Bryson Tiller, Tank.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Consistency is my strongest skill. I'm very critical on my mixes / tracks. I won't send it to the client until I believe it meets my standards. I will treat your song as if its my song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I feel like I have a lot of creative experience as a musician, songwriter, singer as well as a very technical approach to frequencies and dynamic range. I have worked on so many genres and styles I can pull influence from a wide range when it comes to effects.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to vibe off the original reference mix of a song before starting the mix / production. It's important to get an idea what the artist was originally going for creatively during recording. I try and pick out the main areas I can work on to enhance the song and start with the mix in Pro Tools.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I work at a few studios in the city of Houston, Texas. I am a co-owner of IMIX Recording Studios LLC which is very popular in the city for Hip Hop / R&B. It's mainly a Pro Tools Rig with very hi end converters and Analog front end with Rupert Neve preamps and compressors.

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

A: I look up to producer / artists like Kanye West, J Cole, Big K.R.I.T. and Travis Scott. They have the ability to create the track, write and perform the song at a high level.

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

A: I do a lot projects from start to finish, and everything in between. Including Track production, Recording vocals, Mixing and Mastering.