Mixing & Mastering/Production

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

A: Get me involved in the project as early as you can. Let me hear how the tracks are coming together, or chat about the recording conditions and how to best organize your session to be sent out to me.

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

A: Computer and iLok. Apollo x8p. My monitors. 2 microphones. I hope cables don't count as gear.

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

A: I started reading books about sound engineering in the late 90s/early 00s. I managed to join the AV club at my school, which was particularly well equipped. By 14 I was doing Front of House for a few bands and started touring as a FOH for my summer job from the age of 15. From there I managed to assist in studios on school breaks and even be assisting mixing engineer (back in the day where you'd need several hands on the faders to do automation as the tape played). I moved to London and worked at SAE London as their Head Technical Supervisor. Working in games took me on a detour through the software technology land. I did an MSc in computer science, and followed that by working at several FTSE100 companies. I've learned a lot about Agile project management, team leadership and business focus. While still recording bands and mixing on my own time. All these business skills seem to be, in my opinion, more important than ever for artists in this day and age.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Pragmatic, tidy, organized. I want things to be clear, focused, and proud.

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

A: Mainly genres with acoustic instruments (drums, guitar, bass, keys, that kind of stuff). Mainly rock, pop, blues, jazz, alt-rock/indie rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: One of my clients mentioned I am great at empathizing with the musicians and coaching them into a totally different level of performance in the studio. I'm taking that as a huge compliment.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Fresh ears, fresh perspective. Hopefully, when the mix is done, there's added clarity, depth, and energy. This is a hard one to answer as every project is different to me. I tend to see what I can do/offer to the project.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to chat with every single one of my clients about what they are trying to achieve, what their inspiration is (and listen to their references). I help them prepare the files for delivery to ensure a smooth experience and that deadlines are met without an issue. I tend to always budget time to do further editing and tidy up the session before the actual mixing work starts. I want to make sure the track sounds the best it can - I may even suggest or see if it's possible to have elements re-recorded if I feel they won't fit the client's end vision. The initial mix session is unattended. The revision process can be attended - in person or remote depending on availability.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I mix with a hybrid setup - mostly ITB with a selection of plugins I've curated over the last couple of decades, coupled with a few pieces of gear that I'm yet to find a replacement for in the box. My main monitors are the Focal Trio6 BE on a room that has a fair amount of bespoke acoustic treatment. The UAD x8p allows me for ultimate flexibility as I can recall gain and processing at a click of the button, meaning I can record multiple artists in the same week and keep everything consistent whilst moving FAST!

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

A: Most of my work consists of editing and mixing pre-recorded tracks. I also master either my own mixes or other people's mixes.