Mix Engineer, Producer, Horns

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both ha! Though I'd have to lean towards digital for the speed of play, computers make recall and sonic experiments much quicker. I tend to record through a good analog chain on the way in, and occasionally will run certain mix elements through it to give it some extra flavour. If we're talking synths, then I'm an analog man! Though recent digital instruments have been quite inspiring.

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

A: So many to list! From the top of my head, Massive Attack, Bjork, Greg Wells, Sia, Serban Ghenea, J Dilla, Shy FX - many more!

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

A: Robin Pearkes, a great producer and a good buddy of mine.

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

A: Logistics make this tricky! Trumpet, Prophet 6, RME Babyface Pro, U87 and The best laptop money could buy (ideally with unlimited battery life haha)

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

A: It varies, but in today's world, music does! I'd say I usually work on music that is originally singer/songwriter, but with a tendency to mix the electronic world with live instrumentation - often ending in a cinematic sound

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think my strongest skill is my breadth of knowledge. I am lucky to have had many different experiences growing up that have led me to be in the worlds of pop, jazz, classical, film scores, dance music as a playing musician, arranger, engineer - which ultimately led me to be a producer.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Usually, I'll get the song in whatever state it may be, whether it be a phone recording or half way done demo and map out the structure of the song in Logic Pro. I/we will listen to any references and I'll ask the artist about what the song means to them, and how they want the audience to react to it. If I receive the track before meeting the artist, I'll likely build a few production ideas up so we have a starting point or two to go from. We will then get a guide vocal down alongside my initial idea or a guide piano part, then go into the fun part of building the arrangement and choosing the sonic direction. After that it can go in different directions, whether we go record more live instruments at a bigger studio or refine the production ready for a final vocal recording.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I've spent a good amount of time narrowing down my gear selections to the pieces that give me the most choice with the best quality and workflow efficiency. My main recording channel strip is Chandler Audio TG Mic>Focusrite ISA One>Coil Audio CA70>Maag Magmun K Compressor - These items offer a range of tones whilst remaining A* Quality. I then have a powerhouse of computer with many, many (many) software instruments and audio plugins. On the acoustic instrument front, I have a rack of guitars and basses one side and a rack of brass on the other so I can quickly grab and play in a live instrument line when it comes to mind!

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

A: Producing songs for artists, and often mixing the tracks ready for mastering.