Producer/Mixer/Songwriter

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

A: I cut and mixed a rock track for Hearts of Saints in a very short time - in my old apartment living room. It got picked up by the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators to play in their arenas for the season. I produced, played guitar, programmed synths, handled a remote drum recording session, and did the initial mix.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment, doing a sort of ongoing production process for a husband/wife CCM songwriter duo. I just mixed a hard hitting Alt/Grunge record. I also recently completed full production for a new client and mixed that song.

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

A: Yes several. If I'm not playing guitar, Brandon Bagby would be my go-to for remote sessions. If I'm not mixing, Caleb Fisher or Sean Spence at Blue Grotto sound would be a great option for anyone. Jacob Lowery is a bass beast.

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

A: They ask if I mix as well and the answer is: yes! Sometimes, they ask will they need to hire musicians and the answer is: no, I'll handle that as its right for the project. Sometimes we might not even need any, as I am a multi-instrumentalist, however I do like to let the real pros be the best at what they do. I get asked to master quite a bit as well. My normal answer is that I’d rather let a real mastering engineer handle it. You don’t want to skimp on that.

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

A: Probably that because I don't have refrigerator size cabinets of gear in my studio, that it can't be good quality. Its simply not true. If I need a piece of gear - I'll rent it from down the street. If I need a big space - I hire it. I do whats right for the project.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the vision for the project? What do you want to do with it? What are your goals as an artist? I really try to get to know their motivations and understand their Art first.

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

A: I actually went to school for Graphic Design, not music, however my parents we're both career music teachers and symphony musicians, and I began at a very early age. Played in bands my whole life pretty much. I got started producing and mixing for my band around 2009-ish, and I literally spent 10 hour days in a project studio we set up with a couple of issues of Recording Magazine in one hand, and a laptop with Modern Mixing up on the other. I just went from there teaching myself and visiting studios and people who were working to learn all I could. Since then its pretty much all I've wanted to do. I moved to Nashville in 2011 to pursue music even harder. Since then I’ve had the pleasure to work on a variety of projects. I’m just getting warmed up!

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

A: My bread and butter is rock, pop, and CCM worship music. I love working on metal and would love to do more - and recently I've been doing a lot of hip-hop production and mixing which I really dig.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: When producing, I typically meet with the artist to talk and plan. We will write or arrange as necessary. Then we schedule studio time to get the songs cut or hire players. Then either I will mix or if requested I'll send to some people I trust to do a great job. When mixing, I talk over the vision with the producer and artist, get the stems or session and mix. Send back and make revisions as necessary.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My setup is a purpose built 18’x24’ combination live room and control room with a separate 5’x8’ iso room for vocals or guitars (or whatever else). My DAW is Reaper, which I switched to several years ago from Pro Tools. I monitor on Adam A7X monitors (with KRK10s sub when needed) and AT M-50x headphones. I have a few pieces of outboard gear for the tracking stage, but I mix totally in the box now.

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

A: MuteMath, Kevin MacIntire, Caleb Fisher, Snarky Puppy, Periphery, Rush, Metallica, Lincoln Brewster, Cory Wong

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

A: I usually produce the entire project or song from the beginning. I help with songwriting and arrangements during pre-production. I also am a mix engineer, and typically mix for the clients I produce for unless they have a different preference. Ultimately, I do whatever the client needs to achieve their artistic vision whether that is hiring players or other professionals, or playing myself.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Depends. For guitars - Analog. Tube amps just have that sound, and they feel good to play through. The modern digital stuff is getting super close though! For recording gear - Digital. The ease of use just makes up for everything else in my opinion.

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

A: I promise to do everything I can to make your song sound the best it can - and when I'm not enough, I'll find the guys who can.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I LOVE the feeling you get when you put a super rad part in a song that wasn't there before and you watch the responses of everyone in the room when you play it back. Its like magic. My favorite part is being there while the music is being created.

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

A: My advice is when you're looking for people to work with, don't look at a fancy gear list to make your decision - choose someone who is going to be invested in your project and truly work alongside you. After all, it is a people business, not a gear business. Find a person that loves people - like me!

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

A: Would this island have power? If so: my computer, monitors, my strat, an SM57, and my Orange. Pretty sure I could make records with just that.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I sort of fluctuate back and forth from this ambient inspired progressive vibe and an all out rock face-punch as the mood hits me.

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

A: I'd love to work with Relient K. I feel like their production and arrangements are always on point. I would have so much to learn from them. I've also always liked Mark Townsend's production.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure you record right AT THE SOURCE. Get your recordings clean first and foremost. Never try to "fix it in the mix."

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say being able to hear what the song needs. Vision.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A fresh perspective, a new approach, energy, passion