Mixing and Mastering

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both because they both have merits. Analog because of the sound and tactile experience and digital for the flexibility and recall.

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

A: I will work diligently to make sure that you are happy with my work. It would be naive to think that I can make everyone happy with my work since it is largely artistic, but my hope is that I can make you sound better than you thought possible.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That I like my job. I love helping people's dreams come true.

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

A: It is that what we do is all artistic. A big part of what I do is about management of content. Making sure that all of the audio is going to the right place and the text and labeling is accurate.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always ask for references. What type of sound are you hearing? How would you like to hear yourself?

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

A: Listen to their demos and look to see if they have a legitimate website and business presence.

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

A: I am going to assume there is no electricity. Martin Acoustic Guitar, Accordion, Upright Bass, Drum set, Grand Piano.

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

A: I went to school for recording at The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1999 and have been recording professionally since then. I worked at Sunrise Sound Studio until 2014 when i built my studio and started my own business.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Laid Back.

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

A: Jeremy Enigk because his voice is like no other and his musical sense of progressions and melody is inspiring.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Think about the mix from the very beginning of the recording process. 85 percent of the mix is in the arrangement. Before you add another recording or layer, ask yourself where it fits in the mix.

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

A: Rock, Folk, Americana, Christian, Gospel or Pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Mixing

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My goal with every mix is to enhance the groove of the song and to find the magical elements that make the song unique.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I really like to focus on getting great sounds from the start. I do not wait to fix things in the mix unless I absolutely have no choice. If I am only mixing or mastering, I like to get up early in the morning to do that type of work. I want to do my most important and critical work when I am fresh. I also like that no one else is awake to distract me at 4 am.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a stand-alone built for purpose studio at my home. It is based around a Pro Tools native system with UA Apollo interface and pre amps by A Design, Crane Song, Langevin, and Great River.

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

A: Musically I am most inspired by Pink Floyd and Jeremy Enigk though I love Soundgarden too. From a music production standpoint I admire the work of James Guthrie, Jack Joseph Puig and Nick Raskulinecz.

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

A: I do mostly turnkey record projects including all recording, mixing and mastering. My second most common job is mastering.