Clay Holley on SoundBetter

Grammy Nominated, Multi-Platinum and Gold RIAA certified with over 900 million verified streams. Credits include Adele, John Legend, Amy Winehouse, Lee Fields, Aloe Blacc, Lion Babe, Black Keys, Wu Tang Clan, Yellowman, Sean Paul, and many more.

Clay Holley has over 25 years of experience working in Hip Hop, Rock, Dance, Reggae, Funk, Soul, R&B and Classical. From co-writing on Adele's single "Right as Rain" from her Grammy Nominated album "19" (RIAA 3x Platinum), mixing for Aloe Blacc's "Good Things" album (BPI Gold), mixing Lee Filed's "Ladies" (and the rest of the "My World" album), and more recently immersive mixing in Dolby Atmos Spice, Shaggy and Sean Paul's hit "Go Down Deh", Yellowman's classic "Zungguzungguguzungguzeng", and Romain Virgo's new single "Switch You On", Clay has a long career working with some of music's most celebrated artists.

His work has been sampled by artists such as Dr Dre, Rick Ross, ASAP Rocky, French Montana and Jeremih.

Clay has upgraded his acoustically tuned mix room to Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 and is excited to offer immersive mixes for artists looking to expand their sound.

"I was once asked a mentor how he got so good at mixing while assisting him in the studio. He told me he just did it until it was right. I pretty much made that my motto."

I love all music and have mixed everything from Hip Hop, Rock, Speed Metal, Pop, Classical, World, Reggae and Dance. I'm here to make the best possible record with you. I give each project my full effort and treat your music like it's my own. Nothing leaves my studio until you're happy with it.

Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

Credits

4 Reviews

Endorse Clay Holley

by Carmine Laietta V
Clay showed me how to use Pro Tools when he was my professor in college. Since then we've worked together on a number of projects together, and he's also been there for me for advice and also for guidance on my own projects.
He's amazing, and a rad guy to be around altogether.
by Jordan Blit
I had the pleasure of being among Clay's first students years ago and have been fortunate enough to work with him repeatedly since. The man is an encyclopedia of audio knowledge whose depth is unparalleled.
by Danny Baptista
I've worked Clay on a couple of records from start to finish . I can say I've personally learned a great deal through my experiences with him in the studio . His professionalism is top notch and his ear, and engineering skills are a match.
by Billy Polo
I have been working with Clay for over a decade and he always delivers. Weather it's starting a mix or addressing revisions he listens and always delivers a great sounding product and his entry in to the ATOMOS universe has been equally as impressive having delivered stellar ATMOS versions of songs by Yellowman, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Beres Hammond and other Reggae superstars both past and present.

Interview with Clay Holley

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started as an Assistant Engineer at the legendary Mirror Image Recorders in 2000. From there I began freelancing at famous NYC studios like The Cutting Room, Unique, D&D, Soul Fire and also back at Mirror Image where I started. In 2009 I built my own private Mix and Overdub room in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and have been rocking there ever since. More recently, I upgraded my studio to Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 and have never been more excited about mixing music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Hip Hop drums. Pop Vocals.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Get the song. Listen to the song. Mix the song. Smile.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Mixing Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars' album "Radio Salone" for the talented producer Victor Axelrod. It was an honor to be a part of such a special project.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Tons of fun projects both stereo and immersive.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog for recording. Digital for mixing. I started out on Tape Machines and Consoles. Computers have become so powerful these days and plugins so awesome, that I dare even a trained ear to tell the difference between analog summing/processing and In The Box. I used analog summing and mix buss processing for a long time and can say for sure that moving completely ITB was the best choice sonically I ever made.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: That I will do everything in my power to deliver a Mix and Master that you're happy with.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The blessing of working with talented musicians and producers everyday.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can we make it sound like this? Yes, if you sound like that.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That it's the gear. You have to have a quality setup, but experience is everything.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: How do you want your record to sound? Who are artists you admire and think your music is similar?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Find a professional that is passionate about music, not money.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Computer. Interface. Headphones. Speakers. Microphone.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Distortion and Saturation are your friends.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Hip Hop, Soul, Funk, Rock.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening and caring. If you don't care about people, you shouldn't be involved with their art.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Over 25 years of experience honing my craft and always learning. Attention to detail. Drums that hit and vocals that bring emotion to the listener.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I built a professional Mix and Overdub room over 15 years ago that I've recently renovated to Dolby Atmos 7.1.4. Vintage and custom analog gear for recording and every plugin worth plugging in on my hard drive for mixing.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Dave Pensado, James Brown, Future, Jay Z, Andy Wallace, Migos, Burna Boy, Bob Clearmountain.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing and Mastering currently but have a long career in Production and Engineering as well.

Lee Fields "Ladies"

I was the Mixing Engineer in this production

Mixing EngineerContact for pricing
Dolby Atmos & Immersive AudioAverage price - $600 per song
Mastering EngineerAverage price - $100 per song

Stereo Mix rate varies. Atmos Mix rate is for Stereo Mix stems. Revisions within reason. Average turnaround time 3-7 days. Payment must be made in full before start. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.