Indie & Alternative Mixing

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

A: I recently finished up mixing a Ben Marshal album that will be released soon, which was a blast to work on. The album was primarily Country but contained such diverse production that every mix on that album sounded different. The connecting thread was Ben's voice, but it really pushed the boundaries of the genre. Also recently I've been mixing all of Anna Graceman's monthly singles, which have such great songwriting and production. Each one is like mixing a different genre with soul and pop. There's tons of room for creativity which I love, but they all sound organic and super timeless. Anna is definitely on the rise, keep an eye out for her in the coming months.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My favorite thing I'm working on right now is helping a young indie rock group in Nashville find their sound and mixing their debut EP. Their influences range from The Killers to U2 and their music is awesome, so I'm really enjoying the chance to work with them. They're super motivated and have high aspirations, the best kind of client to work with.

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

A: If you need horns, Mike Snow is amazing. Very fairly priced and delivers. There are a few mastering engineers I can recommend as well, depending on genre.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I think 5 years ago I would have said analog but digital has come so far and even surpassed analog for certain purposes. The majority of my tools are digital, but again, it's about the person using the tools, not the tools themselves.

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

A: My promise is that I'll do everything I can to help you succeed. That might be just simply delivering you an amazing mix, or it could even be referring you to other specialist in the industry that can help you take the next step with your music. I'll make sure you have a great experience getting your music mixed.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I like that I work in an industry that's based on art and aspirations. I love that any kid with a laptop can create something amazing if they're talented enough. With technology advancing there are less and less barriers between artists and getting their music heard. I take pride in helping artists with a crucial step in this process.

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

A: I get asked a lot why I don't do mastering as well. My answer would be that I chose the niche where I was most likely to do great work, and for me that was mixing. I strongly recommend that clients use a separate mixing and mastering engineer for each project because the final product turns out better every time (assuming both engineers are talented at their craft).

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

A: I'd say its that gear is king. It's really about the engineer. A good engineer with a laptop will beat a bad engineer on a 6-figure console every time. Not to say that having good gear doesn't have some value, it's just not the end-all be-all of mixing.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask about their aspirations, what they want out of their music, and where they want to be 5 years from now. I work with every kind of client from hobbyists to professionals, but I especially love working with motivated artists who have positive goals. I'm here to help you achieve those goals in any way I can.

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

A: Find someone you can trust and enjoy communicating with. If communication is a hassle or if there's any tension while asking for revisions it makes the whole process a lot harder. You'll have a much easier time getting exactly what you want if you're working with someone responsive and friendly.

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

A: I got out of college with a degree in audio and had such a passion for mixing that I only wanted to focus on that. I stopped taking tracking sessions a little over a year ago and niched down to just taking mix projects. It's been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I think when you really really focus on what you do best and can really hone your craft, that's when you become a true professional.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style tends to combine the classic warmth of analog mixes with modern FX creativity. I think it's an interesting blend of old and new, keeps things exciting while trying to stay organic.

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

A: If I had to pick an artist to work with I'd probably pick The 1975. From a mix standpoint, that would be a blast. They're so creative with their sound, and have such a great mixture of retro analog with modern pop. Sonically one of the most genius acts out there right now.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: It's cliche, but always trust your ears. It's more important than any plugin or piece of gear. Another common thing I tell producers is don't look for what you can add, look for what you can take away. Busy productions often have a small sound compared to simple ones that are able to sound massive because you don't have to mail-slot things sonically. Everything in the mix can be big.

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

A: My most common projects are indie rock, organic pop, and country.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think most people would point to their mixing skills, but I think what differentiates me is my communication, ability to take criticism, and dedication to making clients happy. Being a mix engineer, it's easy to get attached to what you create in a mix, and some egos have a hard time taking criticism on their work. I look at feedback as an opportunity to create the best mix possible. Mixing to me is working together with the client to achieve THEIR vision, not MY vision.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I'd like to think I bring a flavor that is unique. While I am effective at listening to references and replicating similar tones and sounds, I prefer to find the unique element of a client's sound and really expound upon it. Look for that one thing that defines their vibe, and really enhance it to the point that it's the first thing the listener notices. Maybe it's the way the vocalist sings, maybe it's a signature guitar tone. Whatever it is, my goal is to bring out the best in every artist I work with.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I prep my own mixes since I'm pretty fast at it. I mix in Logic even though I learned Pro Tools first. Generally I get a first mix, check it in my car, revise it, then send a bounce to the client for feedback. I've learned how important it is to get an outstanding mix on the first version that gets sent to the client so that revisions can be about creativity more-so than just sonics.

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

A: I always admire professionals who are more than just the gear they own. Guys like Andrew Schepps who can mix 100% in the box on their laptop with a $100 pair of headphones and still deliver amazing results. Those Chili Peppers records and Adele songs he worked on are some of my favorite references. It's about your ears, not your gear.

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

A: 95% of the work I do is mixing. It's my favorite type of work and the thing I do best.