Punk | Hardcore | Grunge Mixer

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually ask: What do you want the listener to feel? Which artists or records influenced the project? What do you already like about the current production? What is currently bothering you? Which elements must remain unchanged? Are there any rough mixes or reference tracks? How and when will the music be released? These questions help me understand the direction before I start making decisions.

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

A: Choose someone who understands your music rather than someone who simply owns the right equipment or uses the right buzzwords. Listen to their previous work, but also pay attention to how they communicate. A good working relationship is important because mixing is not only about technical decisions. You should feel comfortable explaining what you like, what you dislike and what you are unsure about.

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

A: I started as a guitarist and became interested in recording through working on my own music. That gradually developed into recording other bands, producing projects and eventually building Innside Sound. I have been working with audio and music production for more than ten years. During that time, I have worked on everything from small independent recordings to complete band productions.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Direct, organic and focused on the performance. I like productions that feel powerful and finished but still sound like real people playing music. I am not interested in polishing away everything that makes a band recognisable. Small imperfections can sometimes be the most memorable part of a recording.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: don't try to focus on fancy gear or plugins, it's the source that comes first

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

A: rock, stoner rock, punk, hardcore

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is understanding the bigger picture of a production. I can quickly identify which elements are carrying the song and which elements are distracting from it. Because I am also a guitarist and have spent many years recording bands, I understand both the technical and musical side of the process.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring an outside perspective and the ability to see the song as a whole. I am not interested in making every instrument sound impressive on its own. My job is to decide what should be heard, what should stay in the background and what the song can live without. I try to preserve the personality of the band while making the production feel focused, intentional and emotionally convincing.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by listening to the song without touching anything. I want to understand what the artist is trying to say, what already works and what might be getting in the way. Before mixing, I usually ask for a few reference tracks and some background about the project. I then build the mix around the performance and the most important element of the song. Once the overall direction is working, I focus on details, automation and transitions. I send the first mix together with a few notes and then work through the artist’s feedback until the mix feels finished.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Innside Sound is a recording and mixing studio in Kufstein, Austria. The centre of the studio is an Amek Angela analog console, combined with Pro Tools and a selection of analog equipment, microphones and instruments. The studio is designed for recording real drums, loud guitar amps, vocals and complete bands. My setup is hybrid, but the equipment is never the main point. It is there to help me make decisions and create the right environment for the music.

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

A: I am inspired by people who develop a distinct sound without turning the production into a technical showcase. Producers and engineers such as Steve Albini, Joe Barresi, Eric Valentine and Sylvia Massy are good examples. They all have very different approaches, but their work is always built around the artist, the performance and the character of the song.

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

A: Most of my work involves recording, mixing and producing guitar-driven music, particularly rock, punk, hardcore, and stoner rock. I mostly record complete bands, vocals, real drums and real guitar amps at my studio. Depending on the project, I can take care of everything from recording and editing to reamping and the final mix.