Producer, Composer, Multi-Inst

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

A: How much per hour? How much for this job? I answer that each project is individual and based on what is needed and what the goal is. A two-song demo requiring mixing and a few additional songs is very different from a full album's worth of production where I work with rough ideas and we build with multiple instruments.

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

A: People used to associate a music producer with the way a movie producer is connected to a film as being the manager of the project or financial backer where the Producer in music is closer to a movie director. Additionally, sometimes what I do is viewed to just be "something to do with computers" and not instruments and the mind and listening skills.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your goal with this project? Time frame? What are you looking to do with your music? Who is your audience?

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I am a good listener. I listen and communicate with the artist as well as the music.

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

A: Music for a Nickelodeon TV Show. I would get a request for a song in the morning that would have a deadline of the same day or shortly after that. I was the composer and producer. I love a challenge and working under time constraints.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Several long-term projects such as sound design for a music software company, a soundtrack for an 80s themed Sci-Fi Thriller and a loop library.

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

A: Eric Racy is one of the best Mix Engineers!

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both! I default to digital and have done so since the early 90s, having had one of the first ProTools studios in the states. I like to bring some grit and chance happenings from analog which create character. Inconsistencies are human and often keep the process from sounding sterile. If a client wants surgical direction, we have the option.

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

A: Satisfaction with Quality!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Working with people and seeing their happiness as the project takes shape and their vision comes together!

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

A: Drums, Piano, Acoustic Guitar... maybe some gear that would produce food.

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

A: 25+ years

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Forward thinking with a reminiscent memoir.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Listen at various volumes on several systems.

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

A: Hybrid of Organic and Electronic music genres.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My years of experience combined as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, editor, sound designer, groove programmer, access to unlimited sounds and a professional quality end result with YOU being happy!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Being Atypical. Meet / discuss direction and goals. Listening session. Production. Review.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: The studio is a decent sized setup with many drums from which to choose as well as guitars, basses, synths and more along with mics, racks of gear and software out the wahzoo, set by Downtown Los Angeles in a 24 hour accessible facility.

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

A: Peter Gabriel, Depeche Mode, Jeff Buckley, Pink Floyd, Prince, Dead Can Dance, Massive Attack.............

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

A: Music Production. Beat Production. Live and Programmed Drums. Editing. Sound Design. Song Composition. Synths.