Mix Engineer & Producer

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Step One: Discover the personality of a song. Once you've identified that, everything else will gradually fall in to place.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Musical. It's critical for an artist to perform to the best of their ability, regardless of how much fancy equipment you might have at your disposal.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The daily variety. Discovering new music and helping to shape it as best as I can.

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

A: I've been a musician most of my life, dabbling in many genres and instruments over the years, and have worked in the music industry my whole career. I gradually got into producing, recording and mixing music in the last decade. I feel that production work is a culmination of my musical experience, in that it provides me the opportunity to work over a broad range of genres, and help talented artists realise their musical ambitions.

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

A: My work is hugely varied, but if I had to narrow it down to one genre... indie pop. Any music where acoustic elements meet electronic production.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strong musicianship married with a strong technical knowledge.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: An honest, objective opinion. I search for the good stuff and attempt to bring it to the fore. Discard anything that's getting in the way of the song. I always strive to experiment and try new approaches, searching for a unique sound.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by spending a bit of time getting to know you, your aesthetic, and what you're looking to achieve. Once I feel that we're on a similar wavelength, we can discuss a timeline and what needs to be done. Basically, I adapt to fit the requirements of a project.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Grouse Lodge is centred around a 60-channel Neve VR, with a live room treated by Andy Munro. Large vintage mic cabinet, and enough room to track a live band of any size. I have a small mixing/overdub room in Dublin, it even has natural daylight and loads of plants! Many synths and random instruments to play and get creative with.

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

A: Jack Antonoff for his wonderful, artist-centric productions. Sylvia Massey for her adventurousness. Andrew Scheps for his straight-to-the-point, logical approach.

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

A: Producing songs to reach their full potential. From engineering, through to mixing, and everything in between. Need a string arrangement? Brass band?