Jake Stokes

Production and Mixing

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45 Reviews (12 Verified)
Jake Stokes on SoundBetter

Mix Engineer and Producer, specialising in rock and metal, creating rich and detailed recordings. I offer unlimited revisions until you're totally happy with the result. You'll have the option to join me in the studio virtually for the live mix sessions. Great communication and fast turnaround time.

Hi, I'm Jake.

I’m a music producer and mix engineer. I specialise in modern sounding, heavy music ranging from indie rock to metal. I love to balance the nuance and realism of recorded instruments with the larger than life radio sound that we have all come to know and love.

My work has millions of streams, and is regularly in the NZ Top 10 Charts. I produced/mixed the promo music for Submission Audio Plugin 'Punkbass'. In 2017 I shadowed Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, Joe Bonamassa), learning mixing philosophies that have helped to shape my current mixing style.

With an extensive background as a musician and session guitarist, I approach music production from the perspective of an artist, bridging the gap between musician and engineer, and capturing each artist’s musical intention. I endeavour to create technically precise recordings that reflect my clients’ musicality and character.

I own a spec built recording/mixing studio, designed to create an inspiring, sonically perfect listening environment without any compromises made on workflow. The result is an exceptionally flat frequency response across the entire spectrum allowing music to be listened to with pristine precision, and musical decisions to be made with total confidence. Fitted with world class equipment, working in the studio feels effortless and inspires creativity.

I'd love to chat further!

Send me a note through the contact button above.

Languages

  • English

45 Reviews - 4 Repeat Clients

Endorse Jake Stokes
  1. Review by Vikas S.
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    Jake did a fantastic job mastering my EP. He brought the songs to life, made effective creative decisions while consulting me and delivered a high-quality finished product very quickly.

  2. Review by Joseph H.
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    Jake Stokes has an ear that is unrivalled. We chose him based on his skill with heavy/rock music but it shows he is proficient across many genres. He offers amazing quality in preproduction, recording/editing/mixing, and release planning that can often be the reason a good song goes the distance. 100% recommend Jake and will definitely use him again. Thanks Jake!

  3. Review by Mohammad K.
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    Third instalment of working with Jake, reinforcing impressions from the previous two:
    -Clear and transparent communication
    -Excellent and focussed commitment to the project
    -Fantastic (and at times necessary) input towards the music
    -Generous accomodation of my time restraints, schedule and commitments
    -Great atmosphere, great golden retriever
    If you want rock, pop, country or any self invented sub genre, want an excellent finished product and want to have fun in the process, hit up Jake.

  4. Review by Mohammad K.
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    Jake is a magician at music production and brewing beer. Alfie is an excellent musical sous chef. Quality herbal and English Breakfast teas available upon request. Returning customer thoroughly satisfied.

    Highly recommend! Your projects are in safe and capable hands.

  5. Review by ALL S.
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    by ALL S.
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    Jake delivered another impeccable mix for us on our fourth single. His attention to detail means that we are always able to see our songs through to their best possible version. Revisions were minimal and quickly completed, and the whole band is super happy with it. Go stream Moonlight by ALL I SEEK on Spotify and hear it for yourself ;)

  6. Review by ALL S.
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    by ALL S.
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    Jake delivered the exact results we were after while maintaining a professional but relaxed working environment. The vocals sounded very polished and hi fi, and we were able to get some great takes from the singer because of the synergy and good vibes in the session. Top notch communication too. Stoked! ;)

  7. Review by Mohammad K.
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    Jake has introduced me to the most methodical and streamlined approach to writing and consolidating music I have ever experienced. A great human and an equally great musician + producer.

    10/10 recommend.

  8. Review by Michael R.
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    I had my band's EP mixed with Jake, and working with him was a great experience- he is friendly, professional and very skilled at what he does. My band is very happy with the end result and would highly recommend him to anyone else!

  9. Review by Sam Higham
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    Incredibly good producer/engineer and a top bloke! Excellent communication, speedy file transfer and payment

  10. Review by Michael R.
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    Great communication, patience and enthusiasm with helping us achieve the sound we were looking for!

  11. Review by ALL S.
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    by ALL S.
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    Wonderful job, quick turnaround time and of the highest quality! Highly recommend.

  12. Review by David L.
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    Jakes went above and beyond the normal scope of what a Mixing Engineer would do to ensure we got the best result possible. Absolute gem to work with and we are over the moon with the results. Can't recommend him enough.

  13. Review by David L.
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    Jake is one of the most talented and easy to work with producer / engineers I've dealt with. Would recommend him to anyone who needs any project done to a professional radio ready standard. He deeply cares about his craft and goes the extra mile to make the project amazing.

  14. Review by David Kirby
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    by David Kirby

    Jake is a living legend! Insanely talented and just an inherent skill to make things sound exactly how you imagined and then make it even better! Very happy with the service and the end result, would 1000% use again.

  15. Review by Jacob Thornton
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    by Jacob Thornton

    The second time working with Jake was just as amazing as the first - his guidance in the creative process of recording and mixing is invaluable, and his producing chops are off the charts. I would recommend Jake to anyone :)

  16. Review by David
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    by David

    This was our second time working with Jake and he never fails to impress. His attention to detail makes for emculate production work and he offers great perspective in pre-production to bring the song to life. His space is always welcoming and we love ALFIE. Just wrapped up another single with him and it's sounding huge, thank you Jake!

  17. Review by Sebastiside
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    by Sebastiside

    Jake cared about my project all the way through! Took the time to arrange a meeting to make sure the project was going in the right direction. He even took extra time to make corrections I missed in the drums.

    Really appreciate that. Thanks a lot!

    Very professional, Recommended.

  18. Review by Elspeth Cowie
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    by Elspeth Cowie

    Jake had the ears, experience, musicianship, technical skills and contacts to assist me from concept to launch of a 16-track album of acoustic folk, jazz, blues rock, country, bluegrass, and a cappella Scots/Irish ballads. Working from guide vocals, we agreed approaches, and he recruited great session musicians to pre-record instrumentals so I could record on arrival for only 5 studio days. We achieved a final mix live online, and he breezed through mastering. Jake is attentive to detail, direct in his opinions, which I value, but listens to options. I would work with him again in a heartbeat.

  19. Review by Chris
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    by Chris

    Jake Stokes is an awesome guy with so much talent. Always focused & professional, he manages to be hilarious and engaging at same time. He is a superb listener with a fantastic set of ears. I am super impressed with the quality of sound he can produce in such a short period of time. Being in Jake’s studio was a very great time, I hope to work with him again soon. Amazing experience, highly recommend.

  20. Review by Bianca
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    by Bianca

    Jake has a magic ability to play the exact chords I have in my head and he has a great studio! Would 100% recommend working with him!

Interview with Jake Stokes

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: I loved how my mix of Envy by ALL I SEEK came out. You can check that out in the audio portfolio player in the top right of this page. I love how massive and polished it sounds, yet is still raw and brutal.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: Mixes for a metalcore band. I'm loving how're they're coming together.

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Both! I love the tactility and workflow of tracking through outboard analog gear, not to mention the warmth and saturation it imparts. In the mix, you just can't beat the workflow and recall of digital when processing individual tracks, but I still sum my mixes through analog EQ and compression just to give that extra juicy vibe, and final few percent.

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

  8. A: I promise to give your project the same high level of attention and commitment that I give to every project. I will always work my hardest and give my best to all my clients.

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: I get to make music with cool people, every day. It's an absolute dream. What's not to love?

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

  12. A: Q. What's your turnaround time? A. 3 - 5 working days (more for larger projects!). Q. Are you based in NZ or London? A. Both! I have a studio in NZ, and commute to the UK for work when necessary. Q. Is New Zealand in London? A. No, it's actually in Australia, and we've only just received internet connection.

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

  14. A: People assume mixing is purely technical. That's not the case at all - it's incredibly creative, musical, and intuitive.

  15. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  16. A: What are you trying to achieve through this project? What are you musical references?

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

  18. A: Listen to their work, check out some reviews, listen to their work, establish a rapport, and then listen to their work some more. I hire people all the time across all areas of the industry, and this is what's most important to me. Oh, and listen to their work.

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

  20. A: My Sennheiser HD650 headphones, my computer (Assuming I have all my software/plugins!), my Fender P Bass, an AKG C414, and most importantly my iLok!! Naturally, I'd forget all cables so my high end computer would become a glorified drum.

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

  22. A: I have been working professionally in the music industry since 2009, and working as a 'career' producer since 2015. I have also worked extensively as a session guitarist.

  23. Q: How would you describe your style?

  24. A: My style is to make full, fat recordings. I love big bass, a crystal clear top end, and a very detailed and colourful midrange. I aim to achieve a perfect balance between all these elements, to give that 'polished' sound.

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

  26. A: Frank Turner. For the refreshingly raw punk rock ethos, wrapped up in a commercial, radio ready package. How fun would that be??

  27. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  28. A: It goes without saying: A good mix starts with a good arrangement! But everyone knows that, so here's one for the nerds: To achieve a massive, loud sound, embrace saturation as a mixing tool. Saturation doesn't simply turn your transients down in the same way a compressor does - instead it changes the dynamics by spreading the frequency information out across the audio spectrum, retaining the perceived dynamic, colour and impact when used appropriately. Multiband saturation can be a beautiful substitute for EQ.

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

  30. A: Anything under the broader 'rock' umbrella. Rock, Pop, Punk, Metal, Indie, Folk etc. Anything that strongly features recorded instruments is where I like to live.

  31. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  32. A: Read my reviews if you'd like the most honest answers! In my own biased opinion, it's my ability to see the big picture from the beginning, and keep all my technical and creative decisions in line with the artist's vision/goals.

  33. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  34. A: A blend of technical expertise, musicality, and objectivity. I also bring total commitment and enthusiasm to every project I work on.

  35. Q: What's your typical work process?

  36. A: A good working relationship always starts with a good chat so I can understand your specific musical direction and situation. I want to know exactly what you need from this project, both short term and long term goals. I also want to have a great relationship with my clients, so that we can all have a great time doing while being creatives! In my opinion, mixing must be approached from both musical and technical perspectives if sonic perfection is to be achieved. The range of possibilities of where a sound can go is vast, so a mixer must first use their musicality and instincts to judge what the artist’s creative intention is for each layer, and then their ears and technical skills to take the sound to exactly where it needs to be. I find mixing the most enjoyable when I let a song ‘mix itself’. I listen to the raw tracks, and imagine them as if they were a final master. Each element of the mix should have a clear purpose to me, so I mix each layer to where it cries out to be, rather than forcing it to be something it isn’t. Songs tend together much more seamlessly this way, and I find they give me an instinctive notion of whether or not a snare needs more transient, a guitar needs more sizzle, or that lead vocal needs 1db more reverb on that last note of the prechorus etc. Of course, if an artist has a different idea on what an element should be then I embrace this and reimagine the song with the new perspective, until the artist is 100% happy.

  37. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  38. A: I work in a custom built recording and mixing studio, designed in collaboration with Jesco Lohan from Acoustics Insider. The goal of the build was to create an inspiring, sonically perfect listening enrivonment without any compromises made on workflow. The result is an exceptionally flat frequency response across the entire spectrum allowing music to be listened to with pristine precision, and musical decisions to be made with total confidence. Fitted with world class equipment, working in the studio feels effortless and inspires creativity.

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

  40. A: The list is massive. My current audio crushes are Eric Valentine, Nolly, and Simon Grove.

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

  42. A: About 70% of my work is mixing, and the other 30% is recording and producing clients here in my studio in New Zealand.

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Terms Of Service

Typical turnaround time 3 - 5 working days. This increases for large scale projects.
Up to 3 revisions.

Alternate Versions $30
Add/Replace stem $20

GenresSounds Like
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Gear Highlights
  • Focal & Genelec Monitoring
  • Audient Conversion
  • Neve & API Preamps and EQ's
  • SSL Bus Compressor
  • Universal Audio 1176
  • EL Distressor
  • Neumann and AKG Microphones
  • Cubase 12
  • FabFilter
  • Soundtoys
  • Brainworx
  • Slate Digital
  • SPL
  • Neural DSP
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