Music Producer & Mixer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Various projects in different stages of development!

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

A: Laptop, MPC Live 2, OB6, UDO Super Gemini, Minimoog Model D

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio runs on a combination of Ableton, and Logic X. I have Universal Audio interfaces and plug-ins for recording and mixing. I have a Dave Smith OB6 and Behringer Model D. I also use Omnisphere 2, Keyscape, and Arturia synths. For monitoring I have Focal CMS 65s.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My ability to take raw creative energy, simplify it, and then make it sound great.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I approach each project with a fresh perspective. I speak with the client and get a good feel for what they want to accomplish, both generally then and specifically with the music. From there I like to generate ideas and see which ones resonate, then start to focus on one or certain ones until we have what we are looking for. I prefer to bounce ideas back and forth, as this creates energy which takes the music to a new level. The best creations come from a balance of using the left and right sides of the brain. A combination of thinking and feeling!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog. I feel an analog machine has a consciousness and a soul. Digital has it's own unique energy and vibe as well, and I am starting to see more opportunities to mold the sound with unique, under-the-radar plug ins.

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

A: I produced All Black Everything for Lupe Fiasco. The record went Gold and was nominated for a Grammy, yet I find the actual feedback from the fans the most rewarding. The record really connected with people and created a space for them to expand their thinking and feel new emotions.

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

A: I promise my clients they will be satisfied with the outcome of our work if they are willing to commit to it. I do my best to deliver. I ask the same of them.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The process of creating.

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

A: How can I accomplish my vision? The answer is to visualize, focus, be persistent, and have a flexible mind.

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

A: That anyone with a computer program can do it.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are you looking to accomplish? Do you have a specific vision for your music? Where do you see your music in 5 years?

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

A: Ask yourself what you want to accomplish in your project. If you are looking to get the best possible outcome and want to push the boundaries of your creativity, I will help you accomplish that.

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

A: I began DJing in 1997, which led to an interest in production. I went to a trade school to learn how to run a studio and began professionally producing around 2003.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would say a mix of classic and progressive. I like to tap into what made music production great in the 80s and 90s while creating a fresh sound that resonates with today.

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

A: I want to work with the next great, game changing rap artist no one knows about yet!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Follow the energy of a session. I find it counter productive to force anything.

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

A: Typically I work on hip hop or genres that connect to hip hop, which are many these days.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a unique energy and talent for maximizing the potential and outcome of a song and it's release. I see the my role as the one who steers the ship and knows when and where to add input and when to just let the process take course.

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

A: I am inspired by most musicians and producers. I appreciate the energy and courage it takes to create and break new ground.

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

A: I produce the best results for my clients. I use many techniques to get the best performance and creativity out of the artist, taking them to a new creative space which opens the door for something special to happen.