Mastering & Mixdown Engineer

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

A: Very important to be able to communicate your needs to avoid blurring deadlines. Also try to pick someone who is on your page musically....

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

A: Laptop Soundcard Monitors Headphones Satellite phone.

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

A: 40 years.... Illegal party DJ, Into global DJ, into producing (including a UK billboard number 9 record)...... eventually emerging into the dark art of mastering

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: No rules. As long as it works.

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

A: So many... a lot of them dead now. Can't distill this answer into just one. Sorry....

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Be able to stand back from your track in the same way an artist would step back from his canvas. Maybe tidy the studio or get your emails with the track in the background. Sometimes it's really important to digest the track in the periphery/background so you're focusing on the whole track rather than just the kick or bass line....

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

A: Mostly House Music, Nu Disco, Electronica

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Context. Because I've been playing, making, releasing and selecting music for over 30 years now I can understand and evaluate what's needed very quickly.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Colour where needed. Toning down where needed. I will add or take away sonically to ensure that your track will sound amazing when mixed into other tracks of it's genre... My masters/mixdowns will stand up in the professional arena. I have had a 100% success rate for over 10 years now.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: load up the premaster along with any referencing tracks sent. Then analyse the track using first and foremost my own ears (the most important piece of kit I own) and then a host of analysis software to pinpoint annoying frequencies or stereo issues)... EQ'ing is actually 80% of what I do..... It's absolutely essential to get the correct curve for club play - at these levels... a wrong peak could be uncomfortable to the listener and cause heavy limiting on the main system making your beautifully crafted track sound rubbish... My job is to make sure that never happens.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Currently running M4 mac, maxed out. Numerous studio monitors for reference. Current favourites.. (both emulated and hardware) : Neve 33609, Amek9099. I am more concerned with the final result than the equipment used but can work to preferences as i have access to pretty much anything...

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

A: Derrick Carter, Radioslave, Luke Solomon, Lil Mark, Villalobos, Sneak, Crazy P, Roisin Murphy, Olliver Dollar, Herbert, Jimpster, Atjazz... just a few of many many influences.

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

A: Mostly stem mix downs and mastering, although I also a specialise in vocal comping and editing. I can comfortably make sense of multiple stems and sculpt them into the perfectly crafted premaster/master ready for the dancefloor but also digital playback and streaming. I also do mastering for vinyl which is a whole different, but hugely rewarding job..