I help independent artists get clean, emotionally impactful mixes that sound professional without losing the soul of the record. I specialize in vocal-forward R&B, hip-hop, and melodic music. Clear communication, fast turnaround, and release-ready sound you can trust.
I’m a mixing and mastering engineer working with independent artists who care about sound, emotion, and release quality. I specialize in vocal-forward music—R&B, hip-hop, neo-soul, and melodic records—where clarity, balance, and feel matter just as much as loudness.
My approach is clean, intentional, and musical. I focus on making vocals sit naturally in the mix, tightening low end, and creating depth without over-processing. The goal is always the same: a mix that sounds professional, translates across systems, and still feels like you.
I work in a treated hybrid studio with professional monitoring and a streamlined workflow that allows for fast turnaround without sacrificing quality. I value clear communication, honest feedback, and respecting the artist’s vision from start to finish.
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Languages
- English
Interview with Kay Jay
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: One project I’m especially proud of involved taking a song from a rough demo to a finished, release-ready record. I handled the full mix and final polish, focusing on vocal clarity, balance, and emotional impact. Hearing the artist respond to the final version and feel confident releasing it made the process rewarding.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I’m currently working on mixing and finishing records for independent artists across R&B, hip-hop, and melodic styles. My focus right now is helping artists prepare high-quality, release-ready music.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I’m always open to collaborating and connecting clients with other skilled professionals on SoundBetter when a project calls for additional expertise. The platform has a strong community, and I value finding the right fit for each project.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. I use a hybrid approach, choosing analog or digital tools based on what best serves the song. Every project is different, and the goal is always to enhance the emotion and message of the artist, not force a specific workflow.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is clear communication, attention to detail, and a mix that respects your vision. I commit to delivering professional, release-ready results while being responsive, collaborative, and focused on making sure you’re confident in the final record.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Helping artists hear their music come together and feel finished. I enjoy working across different styles and being part of the moment when a song finally sounds the way the artist imagined it.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Clients often ask how they should send their files and how long the process takes. I recommend cleanly labeled stems exported from bar one, and I typically deliver within 3–5 business days depending on the project.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That mixing and mastering are just about making things louder or adding plugins. In reality, it’s about balance, emotion, and translation—making sure the song feels right and works across different systems.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I usually ask about the artist’s vision for the song, reference tracks they like, how the track will be released, and whether the files are final. This helps me tailor the mix and make sure expectations are aligned from the start.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Come in with a clear vision and reference tracks, and make sure your files are organized and final. The better the communication upfront, the better the final result. Mixing works best as a collaboration built on trust and clarity..
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop, my Les Paul, Maschine, a workstation keyboard, and a reliable audio interface. That setup would let me write, produce, and finish records anywhere.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I’ve been working with music for several years as a producer, musician, and engineer. My path has been hands-on and self-driven, developing my ear through real projects, refining my workflow, and focusing on consistency and translation. Over time, mixing and finishing records became a natural extension of my production work.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is clean, balanced, and vocal-forward. I focus on clarity, depth, and emotion—making sure vocals sit naturally while the music feels cohesive and finished. I aim for mixes that sound professional and translate well without being over-processed.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I’d love to work with artists who are vocal-forward and emotionally intentional, like artists in the lane of modern R&B and melodic hip-hop. I’m drawn to artists who care about tone, space, and feeling, and who want their vocals to translate clearly without losing character.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Fix balance before EQ—vocals usually need space, not more plugins.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Gospel R&B Soul Funk Pop Hip hop
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work out of a treated hybrid studio designed for accurate monitoring and consistent translation. My setup combines professional monitoring, analog hardware, and a streamlined digital workflow to ensure clean, reliable mixes. The room is acoustically treated to control reflections and low end, allowing me to make confident balance and EQ decisions. Monitoring includes full-range speakers, a calibrated subwoofer, and alternate reference speakers for real-world translation checks. I also integrate select analog hardware and hardware instruments when appropriate, while maintaining a clean, efficient in-the-box workflow. This setup allows me to work quickly, maintain clarity, and deliver mixes that translate well across headphones, cars, and streaming platforms.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: My process starts with understanding your vision and reference tracks. Once files are delivered, I organize and prep the session, gain-stage properly, and build a balanced mix with a focus on vocal clarity, depth, and translation. After the initial mix is delivered, I apply revisions as needed, then finalize and deliver a release-ready mix or master.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I primarily work on full song mixes and mix-and-master projects for independent artists. Most of my work focuses on vocal-forward records—balancing vocals, enhancing clarity and depth, and delivering release-ready mixes that translate well across all platforms. I’m also a multi-instrument player
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: •Vocal clarity and emotional •Vocal-forward, release-ready mixing •Clean mixes that keep the soul •Making vocals sit right, every time
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Life, feeling,vibrations and unique sounds
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Prince Stevie wonder Marvin Gaye Smokey Robinson Zaytoven Quincy Jones Michael Jackson Terry Lewis Babyface India Marie Thad tribbett
