Award Winning Mix & Master

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to say I bring warmth, width and I make the record sound expensive.

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

A: Yes! Manny Marroquin!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure you record in a room with lots of soft objects. Rugs,couches, heavy curtains are all really helpful to not having a bad sounding room sound recorded with your vocal take.

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

A: I’m a big fan of Jaycen Joshua and Manny Marroquin as far as mixers. To me they are the best at bringing a song to life.

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

A: The Sammy Adams album changed my life. It was the first independent album to go number 1 on iTunes. Also working on Kelly Clarkson's Stronger was a big moment for me.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I just finished Cousin Stizz's album for RCA and Lil Huddy's album with Travis Barker.

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

A: How do you want me to send the song! As I said previously I like one set of stems wet, one set dry and the current bounce you've been listening to.

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

A: That I can do magic tricks. :) It's hard to make a bad recording sound like a great mix. So I always try to be upfront with people what I can actually do with the source material provided.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to know what DAW your song is currently in. Also, if you're not sending a session, I ask for the stems wet and dry so I can hear what you've been hearing for the last few months.

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

A: Give me as much info as you can. Tell me if you like your rough mix, or if you want me to give you something completely new.

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

A: Fab Filter Pro Q Burl B2 Bomber DAC Studio one 4 Imac Pro UAD Octo

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Aggressive and Warm.

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

A: Jay-Z. He's the Goat.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to the song as a fan. As a mixing and mastering engineer, you have to understand the technical side of things but if the song is moving you none of that matters. If I have to distort the vocals or do something else that isn't within the "rules" to make the song hit me, I will.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I tend to get my basic levels going, then add a touch eq and compression on the master bus. After that, I focus on the kick and bass and then blend the rest of the elements. Finally, I work on the vocals and make sure they sit perfectly in the mix.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. I like using the best of both worlds.

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

A: That they will be 100% happy.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like helping artist realize the full potential of their song, and the fact that everyday is a new song with different problems to figure out.

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

A: I have been mixing for over 15 years. I started interning in Boston while I was in school at the Berklee College of Music. From there I moved up and became the Chief Engineer at one of the larger Boston Studios. When I worked on my first number one record with Sammy Adams I realised it was time to move to Los Angeles. Since moving I have worked with tons of great artist in my personal studio.

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

A: I grew up on hard rock and hip-hop, but also played in a steel drum and jazz band. So I love it all!

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Pro Tools HD and Studio One Pro. I also accept Logic sessions. The music goes out of my computer to my SSL Summing Console to give me analog warmth and depth that I feel you can only get in the analog world. From there it goes to my all analog mastering chain. I use a Dangerous Music Compressor and a Bettermaker MKII EQ. In the computer I use a ton of different plugins from UAD, Waves, FabFilter, Slate and many more.

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

A: Bringing the clients ideas they have in their head to realization when it comes to mixing and mastering.