Remote Drum Recording + Mixing

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

A: Currently working with my good friend and go-to guitarist on his solo project - I'm producing, performing, engineering, mixing.. the whole nine-yards. The songs are absolutely killer; very Leonard Cohen meets 90s Brit-rock songwriting. Very exciting stuff.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Two singer-songwriter projects, and one passion project... really love the songs on all of these.

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

A: Todd Bergman, Nick Mayburry, Mike Avenheim...

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both - there is no single right answer for every project.

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

A: No bad vibes, ever. I'm here to facilitate your vision.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Working with really, really talented folk! You make my job easy.

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

A: "Do you have any Michael McDonald lyrics tattooed on your body?" To which my answer is, "I keep forgetting..."

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

A: That I'm anti-social! I'm just always working, yo!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to hear references - that goes for mixing, drumming styles, etc.

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

A: Reach out! I'm happy to do what I can to make your project be the best it can.

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

A: UA Apollo, Computer, U67, power generator, and an OP-1 maybe?

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

A: I started in a band that quickly toured, signed, and was dropped before I was 18. From there, I learned many ins and outs of what it was like to be a player, engineer, you name it. From there I've been trying new things, including being in a band, acting as a hired gun, working for large companies, and starting my own.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Emotionally-centric logic.

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

A: I've fantasized working with Ryan Adams on occasion.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always, ALWAYS play to the song. The song is everything.

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

A: Pop, singer-songwriter, and rock.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Drumming, engineering, and production.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Myself, what else.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I try to communicate as much as possible with the client before any tracking or production work is done. As artists, our songs can mean everything to us, so I try to be sensitive to that while also diligent in working towards creating the best possible end-product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use a UA Apollo rackmount as my interface with Seventh Circle Audio mic pres (Neve, API, and Jensen) through a Lucid 88192 converter. The live room is about the size of a two car garage, treated with custom sound panelling and diffusers. I mix through NS10s and a homemade pair of monitors and 2x10 sub. Protools 12 and Logic X capable.

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

A: For drumming: Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd, Mark Guiliana.. the list goes on. For music production: Sir George Martin, Nigel Godrich, Andy+Glynn Johns, Ethan Johns, Mick Gazauski... another list that can go on.

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

A: I primarily work as a drummer and recording/mixing engineer.