Multi-Grammy Engineer/Producer

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

A: I don't think there is one. I Mix and Produce Music

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Do you drink Coffee?

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

A: email me and I'll give you my cell so we can chat. carlson.chad@gmail.com

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

A: Laptop with Pro Tools and Hotspot Wifi to call Jack, Kate and Sayid to come save me from the Smoke Monster.

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

A: Chief Engineer Sound Emporium Studios In Nashville for 7 years..Then Producer/engineer for last 8 years and also was publisher songwriter for Pub Company here for last 5. So 15 years of everything.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Peanut Butter in a Jelly world

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

A: Bruno Mars....Duh.....

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Remember to make "Timeless" music and your productions will never sound dated.

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

A: Country, Pop, Rock

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Telling bad jokes

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Direction, clarity and emotion.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Mixing Records- I'll import files into a session and first listen to the rough mix you/the client has sent me along with any other music references to I can understand how you are wanting to hear mix. Then I'll spend a day mixing song how I hear it with your references in mind. Then send a reference mix for you to hear on your speakers. Then when you are ready we'll find a time to FaceTime in and close out mix together. Production- I'll ask for a simple guitar vocal or piano vocal worktape of the song to hear and get the general feel. Then talk over the phone about direction or if you're in Nashville we can meet up. Then depending on style of music I'll either start building a track with tools I have here at my studio or if it's a more organic thing I'll hire Nashville session players to play on the track. Once the basic track is built I'll have artist either come to sing before I mix it up.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Cabana Sound has a Pro Tools HD rig. Also Logic. I have Martech MSS10's, API, Avalon, Empirical Labs, SSL, Transient Designer and much other analog gear. Manley Reference Gold Mic, Neumann Stephen Pahl Modified U87's and other mics. I mix "In The Box" on my Pro Tools HD rig with all sorts of plug ins and softsynths.

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

A: Producers- Mutt Lange, Jay Joyce, Dann Huff. Musicians- I'm here in Nashville TN with the worlds best session musicians that I am fortunate enough to work with every day!

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

A: Mix Records, Build Tracks, Track bands in World class facilities in Nashville such as Sound Emporium where I was chief engineer for 7 years. Also Blackbird Studios, Starstruck and Oceanway. I also have a overdub/mix room in my Pool house behind my house where I do a lot of work.