Mix Engineer | Music Producer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I recently started producing YouTube content: studio techniques and workflow ideas, as well as "Studio Hang" - my interview series with independent studio owners, producers, engineers, and musicians.

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

A: Make sure the person truly cares about your project. There's a big difference between being a "customer" and being a "client."

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

A: Fender Telecaster Vox AC15 Shure SM57 UAD Apollo Interface Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro headphones

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

A: I like working with an artist that has a clear vision and point of view. There are so many roadblocks, both internally and otherwise, in being our true original selves that when I meet someone who fully has that confidence and conviction, I'm sold from day one.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Have a plan. Chase the moment and go down that rabbit-hole but always keep a wider lens so you can see the forest from the trees. A producer is a great ally in keeping you grounded and mindful of the broader vision.

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

A: Typically independent musicians and bands in the rock / Americana / indie / whatever genre. I usually work directly with the songwriter-artist but have also work in larger collaborative projects. My background is originally in jazz and improvised music, so from time to time I still get to "cross the street" and work on purely instrumental work too.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My job is to hold a mirror to the song to ensure that what is reflecting back is what you intended in the artist intends. I also work hard to ensure the arrangement, production, and mix are in sync with the artist vision and storytelling.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The first and most important step is to get to know the artist I am working with. Even if it is someone I have worked with before, it is crucial to talk/text/e-mail/Skype about the project, the creative vision, and overall artist and commercial goals. With that information in hand, I pride myself in being very organized in terms of timeline, workflow, and staying on budget. At the end of the day, my goal is for the client to be 100% satisfied with the finished product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Red Panda Recording is my production and mixing studio. For production and tracking, it is designed to get ideas to "tape" as fast as possible so the moment of inspiration can be captured. For mixing and work, I've migrated to being primarily in-the-box while employing an analog inspired signal chain and workflow. I've realized the most important thing after delivering great sounding mixes is being able to send revisions quickly and efficiently.

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

A: I'm equally inspired by individuals that have a distinctive sound as those that can disappear into an artist's work and influence it in more subtle ways. I view Rick Rubin as a great example of someone who has worked with a diverse range of artists across many genres. Love the music first, and the "work" will come naturally.

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

A: Mixing, full instrumental music productions, guitar tracking/overdubbing, vocal recording and production, mastering. Whatever role(s) I am asked to take on, I view as being a partner in the creative process to best serve the artist's work and vision.

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

A: I started guitar and at 8 and playing in bands professionally when I was 19 - I feel in love with the recording studio and always was the guy curious about what was going on and asking the engineer questions in between takes. This was also at the time computer DAWs were beginning to take over so I had a home recording rig where I could try to learn on my own. In 2009 I formally started Red Panda Recording which grew out of recording bands that I was in, to bands my friends where in. Over the last 10 years I've worked with so many very talented and unique artists that has pushed me to grow both technically and creatively.