Songwriter/Mix Engineer/Beats

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Working with Christian Erik on our next TrebleHook project...acoustic/electric rock a al Jar of Flies. Nik and Corey from Bush will be on it hopefully this winter.

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

A: Nik Hughes, Corey Britz, Christian Erik

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, but analog leaning. First off, we can no longer live without digital. It is too versatile, powerful and precise above and beyond tape, etc. I feel like digital has finally arrived. My Antelope digit mic emulations are amazing, and so is my Bricasti M7 reverb. I can't live without Waves plugins. However, analog summing and conditioning signal with outboard analog eq's, compressors, etc. does impress a tangible character on mixes that I have trusted for years...not to mentioned have heard for decades in pro releases. Ultimately, hybrid is the future...if its not already here.

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

A: You will get my best.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Helping creative artists achieve their goals and dreams. I've had to do it for myself and I want to offer that to others on the path.

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

A: Can I afford this? That's the common question and the answer is yes. You can afford it and you should invest in your creativity to the best of your ability. And in this day and age you can do it on a reasonable budget. Money is usually tight and bad ass production on point is an advantage so you can focus on marketing and touring.

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

A: That it's just engineering...which is a compliment. But it is also an art. Famous engineer Chris Lorde Algae taught me this. A compressor doesn't just compress...it augments the sound and can change its character, even if it's barely doing its job otherwise. That's the point.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is your goal or dream for the music? What do you want it to sound like and can you give me references? What is your timeline for the project?

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

A: Know what you want and have an open mind to possibilities.

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

A: Focal monitors, Antelope interface, Rhodes NT2K mic, Taylor acoustic guitar, Marshall 2x12 combo amp

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

A: I've been doing this since 1999...when I bought my first rig, a Digi 001 and Korg Triton keyboard. I haven't looked back since. It started when I was an assistant to a composer doing a film score. A year later I recorded my first project...a singer songwriter opus online today. In 2003 I did a tech program for audio engineering at LARW in Los Angeles. I've been making music ever since.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I have a very organic, vibey style. I've been told I sound '90's production wise so that's what I lead with. You will also get audiophile grade quality. As a hobby, high end audio has taught me much that I use as an engineer. For years I have listened to music in reference quality conditions on monitors such as Focal, B & W, etc. I believe it gives me an edge.

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

A: TOOL. I feel like they need to go back to roots and do an album of radio singles like they used to. It would dominate and catch people off guard. Finally, I would have Maynard get back front and center stage...we all want it.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Gain Structure. That is one of the most important principles I've learned over the years. Whether seen through the lens of an analog console, or summing in the box to an aux track with a plugin, proper gain structure will set you up for success every time.

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

A: I usually work on acoustic singer/songwriter, rock, hard rock and metal projects. I also have skills with electronic/beat based music using Apple Logic, MPC, etc. and some Hip Hop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is to take an idea...a riff or lyric or melody, or song...from its inception to a fully realized product.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring to a song vibe, hook and dynamics, all key ingredients to a hit single or a magnum opus. I have formulas that work and hit every time, and I also understand improvisation and inspiration that can make a track unique and fresh.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I am inspiration driven and constantly refresh to hear accurately. Nonetheless, I stick to it until I get the sound I want. Each project is its own universe and each gets the dedication that it deserves. I start by listening with an open mind. Then I allow my creative palate to visioneer. I get a sense and a feeling and a direction to go technically, then I'm focused on the trade. I have a nearly unlimited arsenal of tools, gear and techniques to achieve the potential of each track...each idea. I monitor through a variety of platforms including monitors, headphones, bluetooth speakers, etc. with plenty of on and off-axis listening. Finally, I am open to feedback and can take criticism. I am dedicated to realize my clients goals and vision.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I consider myself a boutique/indie audiophile engineer. I am SSL and API focused. I have a wide selection of pre's, have awesome outboard gear from the likes of Bricasti, UBK and Neve. And I have most of the Waves plugins. I have no problem working within the box, but I prefer analog summing for which I use an SSL board. I use Genelec monitors with an Adam sub for reference quality monitoring. I'm also a snake oil guy...all Mogami and Audioquest cablling for utmost fidelity. Finally, my room is a micro setup with custom panels to control room dynamics, giving me an extremely accurate representation of acoustics and dynamics.

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

A: So many...I've trained with Joe Baressi and he is a bad ass. I love Rick Rubin and Andy Wallace. I'm working with a singer right now who worked with Adam Kasper, who is legendary to me for his work with Soundgarden. Brendan O'Brian should be mentioned along with Sylvia Massey because they've engineered legendary music. As for bands, too many to mention, but the A List would include Zeppelin, The Eagles, Billy Idol, The Cult, GNR, AIC, Soundgarden, Pantera and a host of hip hop legends like Cypress Hill, Wu Tang, Gang Starr and Run DMC.

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

A: The most common work I do is as a recording and mix engineer. I am a songwriter and recording artist personally and have those skills to offer as well as a producer.