Mastering, Mixing & Production

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

A: Caring about the final results. Being a musician that has learned his craft, toured, recorded and spent time trying to build a career it's the people who took the time to show interest and care that really helped me get to the next level. I approach any project with the same attention which is to help you get the best result and I don't stop until your happy with the results.

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

A: I've been a professional musician for over 30 years and have played in a variety of bands ranging from blues, rock, reggae, funk, acid jazz. It wasn't until the late 90s that technology became more affordable and easier to work with did my style emerge as it allowed me the freedom to record live instruments and integrate synths and outside sounds.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style leans toward groove oriented genres such as reggae, funk, hiphop, latin, world, electronic, jungle - starting off as a drummer and bass player my sonic inclination is rooted in groove and the interplay of syncopation and melodies. One of my great joys is the fusion of heavy grooves with layers of vocal harmonies and horns, This creates a unique musical juxtaposition of heavy and light for me.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: When is your song done? If you can listen to the entire track and nothing bothers you. You’re probably done. This was something I learned over time. If I’m able to listen to my entire track and the groove is there, it keeps my interest, (I want to listen to it over and over again), each instrument choice, each drum sound, the FX used, the delays, crash cymbals, how the level of the hihat it, are the vocals too loud, does the bass need to come up more, is there a cool breakdown in the middle? All of these things are processed by your brain all at once as you listen. If everything sounds good and all you do is nod your head and feel excited about your new track - then you’re probably done.

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

A: The bulk of work with clients tends to be mastering, dub mixes, mixing and remixing.

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

A: The main areas of music I tend to focus on include reggae, dub, bass music, jungle, electro, hiphop but also cross over into rock, blues, classic soul/R&B and funk

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Song flow. One of my greatest strengths is taking an existing song and finding the best balance of "song flow" and arrangement. Be it the overall song structure. Where to best place melody, horn arrangements, vocals, where to provide vocal pauses and all aspects of the production. I've worked with many artists that have learned and performed my arrangements of their work for their live performances.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: A multi-instrumentalist, mixer, & producer with 25 years of experience. The ability to edit, arrange, layer, perform/add any new instrumentation to any track. Guitar, bass, keys, organ, drums, percussion.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Building tracks for artists/companies, mixing, remixing and mastering.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The studio is based around a 32 Channel Allen & Heath GL series with an Apollo Quad audio device. Avalon 737sp Pre, racks of outboard gear - including vintage Spring Verbs, Roland Echo's and various assorted fun. Mic's range from U87, ribbons, shures, and PZMs.

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

A: From Led Zeppelin to Bob Marley, Geoff Emerick to George Martin. Motown, Stax, Studio One, Muscle Shoals.