Record Mix Master Produce

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I had what I call a vanity project come through the studio where an entire girls basketball team came into record some songs on their downtime between tournament rounds. They weren't the best singers, they were self conscious and a little nervous but their coach thought it would be a unique experience for them. I was able to put them at ease and make them feel at home and comfortable. I split them into 3 groups with each group having a decent singer to help the others out, we recorded 3 covers that they had chosen and we supplied the backing tracks, the girls had a lot of fun and it was a really great experience for them. Despite their lack of experience I worked my magic and one of the songs actually found its way onto a local radio station! lol I really got a lot of value from making that happen for them and knowing that I created an experience that showed them anything is possible if you put in some effort and believe in yourself.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! analog gear sounds amazing and contributes a huge amount to the creative process digital provides recallability and highly efficient workflows. I built an analog digital hybrid studio to have access to the best of both worlds.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Why should I want to work with you? Why do you make music? What is important to you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

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

A: Neve 88RS Console, Distressor, Manley Massive Passive, Tube Tech SMC 2BM,

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: We have a multi room facility outfitted with a nice selection of analog outboard, vintage amps

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: An artist development project with a promising up and coming Hip Hop artist, two Singer Songwriters and a Hard Rock group I am alo creating a music marketing program and system designed to simplify and streamline the process of a song or album launch.

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

A: There are definitely some world class people on SoundBetter, none that I know personally.

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

A: I will always operate with integrity communicate powerfully and a project isn't finished until they are completely happy with the results, their satisfaction is guaranteed.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The collaboration process, being creative, I love providing value and being of service to others.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: How much did all this equipment cost? A lot !

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

A: That I can wave a magic wand and make hit records lol. Seriously I had a meeting with a prospective client once and he literally asked if I was going to make him a hit record.. Given his material umm no.

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

A: Make sure that your values are aligned.

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

A: When I was young I often wrote songs, which after a night of sleep became lost whole or in part to the ether which left me feeling as if a small piece of my soul was missing, never to be found again. I was determined to discover a way to safeguard the precious content! Given what limited technology was available my first foray into recording was a child's recording toy made by Fisher and Price which I "borrowed" from my cousin I later discovered that you could record into the audio inputs of a VCR which could be had rather inexpensively at the local thrift shop. I made my way to live sound support and eventually into building my current studio.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: It varies, my style is whatever best suits the song/music. I'm not about imprinting my sonic signature on someones music.

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

A: It would have been amazing to work with Prince because I could have learned so much from him.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Honor the song, a song will let you know what it needs sometimes that involves removing elements that aren't contributing or moving the song forward, be intentional. My moto is, if it isn't adding something get rid of it, the trick is knowing what that something is.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a broad yet refined musical taste and a maturity gained from years of experience in both song writing, production and engineering. I am able to relate to music in a way that allows me to feel if a song is doing what it's intended to do, make people feel something. If it's not then we are able to correct any issues that are in the way.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: 1. Meet with a prospective client to better understand them and their goals assess whether we are a good fit and to ensure that our values are aligned. 2.

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

A: We are inspired by people that create from a place of honesty and uniqueness

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

A: We produce radio ready music and all that process entails production mixing mastering etc. At the end of the day we're really about providing value in whatever capacity is required, sometimes that looks like strategy, project management, production, arrangement, business advice we have a deep toolset that spans multiple disciplines that we bring to the table all in order to help our clients achieve whatever is most important to them.