Recording, Mixing, Production

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

A: Metal band Greyhawk - co-produced, engineered and mixed their first full length album.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Mixing 6 songs we recorded with Sean Atchison last week.

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

A: Jeff Thal, Patrick Ahern

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Everything analog except the recording medium. Digital manipulation is part of the workflow of today. Analog tape can be emulated fairly well in plug-ins.

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

A: You will have a recording that you will be proud to play for everyone, even years later.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: When the artist hears the finished mix for the first time and is amazed by what we have accomplished.

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

A: Can we record playing together? YES, that is the best way for a band to record.

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

A: That I can make a bad performance sound great. There is a lot I can do, but the better the performance the better the end result will be.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are you hoping to accomplish with this recording?

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

A: Look for a studio and producer that fit with you - based on the sound you want to achieve. The engineer and producer are more important than the equipment.

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

A: A laptop with Logic Pro Good headphones - Audeze LCD-2 Good interface with mic preamps, etc. Keyboard controller with knobs, faders, etc. Microphone - probably Shure SM7 That's 5, would suck not having a guitar or bass but can't fit them..

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

A: I started as a keyboard player when I was in my teens. Switched to bass when we needed a bass player at age 20. I started a live sound company with my wife in my 20s and we eventually started recording bands in our house as well. It has been a lifelong dream to build the studio we have now.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I like to have fun in the studio. Why would I be doing this if it wasn't fun? A relaxed environment is very important. I don't like artists to be on the clock trying to pump out as much stuff as they can. I am fairly low keyed and quiet.

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

A: Bands that have integrity, grit and great creativity. I like artists who are intentional about their parts, not just banging something out. If I enjoy and respect the musicians, I can spend hours and hours working on taking it to the next level.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: A song needs contrast to be interesting and catch the listeners attention. If you want it to sound wide, start narrow and then go wide. If you want it to sound big, have a section where it is small. Take the listener on a journey.

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

A: Rock or Alternative Rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing - making the song sound professional.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I am a songwriter and often bring additional ideas for parts, harmonies, etc. Also know when not to add more parts.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: For producing, start with detailed pre-production, make sure the songs are the best they can be before recording - right key, right dynamics, right tempo, etc. For engineering, if it is a band I start with drums and spend a lot of time getting them right. If the drums sound great then it is easier for everything else to fit into place. Then bass, and other instruments. Vocals are last, so singer can perform to a full track.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Separate control room and live room, 2 booths. Control room is centered around SSL AWS900 Delta console. Features Burl converters, Bricasti M7 reverb, LA-2A, Distressor, 1176, API pre-ams. ATC soffit mounted monitors and 5.1 surround. Other rooms have great line of site for musicians playing together. We feature a great selection of microphones, especially ribbons - AEA, Coles, Royer.

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

A: Steven Wilson, Mark Needham

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

A: Mixing for remote bands and artists, recording/producing local bands.