Rock & Alternative Rock Mixer

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I believe in both, digital has come a very long way and sounds amazing. That being said I do mix in a hybrid environment. I use 32 channels of Apogee Symphony converters with analog summing by Rupert Neve Designs to achieve not only better separation and clarity, but also to drive into it for extra saturation and warmth.

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

A: My goal is to help every client achieve their dreams through my World-Class Mix Process designed to deliver your perfect mix. I’m happy to say that one client recently told me, “You make dreams come true” And my goal is to create an inspired mix for you that’ll make your dreams come true, too.

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

A: Timeline for delivery. My queue is usually about 7-14 days, You'll get into my queue after I receive the files and the job is funded. If you have a deadline please let me know and I'll do my best to meet it.

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

A: I usually work with rock, but I have a lot of experience in pop, orchestral, jazz, and electronic, so I am comfortable with all projects and genres. If your project blends several genres, I have experience in everything so no worries.

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

A: I hate to single out anyone with this question, but some of my favorite projects are: Elephants of Neptune, Odd Army, The Hush, Moderatto, We Are The Grand, NIN, Foo Fighters, Steven Wilson, and Muse

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I always have a queue of clients, usually I can't say because client confidentiality is a very real concern. I never want to ruin anyone's marketing plans by disclosing the project before they have.

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

A: This industry is very small, I know a lot of people on here and can recommend many of them. I'm happy to do so if I can't deliver in the timeline you need.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I have loved music from a very early age, I love that I get to work with it all day long. I love crafting songs into something else that enhances the vibe and makes everyone excited about it.

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

A: I can easily take songs to a while new level with a great mix, but I'm not a magician :) I am a mixer, but I do think that the most important step of making a record is the recording phase. Great recordings make for great mixes, and while I can make really cool mixes out of subpar recordings, it will never be exactly like an artist that spent 6 months in an a-list studio.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Dedication to delivering the artistic vision for each project. Every artist is different, every song is different, I want to make sure each artist has their own unique style emphasized so they can stand out amongst the noise.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I always want to preserve the artist’s intent by enhancing the vision through detailed and open communication. I start this off with my pre-mix questionnaire so that I know how to nail your ideal mix from day 1. Once I have a mix ready, we’ll jump on a video call so that you can review the mixes yourself in high resolution. Working together as if you're in the studio with me helps with communication, instant feedback, and a super easy workflow. If you’re not thrilled with what I’ve come up with, you have 30 days of unlimited revisions to keep working to make sure you get the perfect mix you're looking for.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm a grunge baby :) I love music from the 90s, Soundgarden, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, System of a Down, Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, Queens of the Stone Age, Incubus, Nirvana, Muse, Foo Fighters, Porcupine Tree, Mutemath, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, RCHP

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

A: Be clear on the big picture you want. Figure out which reference songs have mixes similar to what you want.

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

A: Pro Tools, Focal Trio6 BE monitors, a computer, an internet connection, and a solar array :)

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

A: I have been in the industry for over 20 years. I went to recording school and took the traditional path of working my way up at A-List recording studios in Los Angeles. Due to the top studios I have worked at, I have trained with many of the industry's best engineers and producers.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I often record in A-List studios, and I mix in my personal studio. I use Pro Tools Ultimate with 16 channels of Avid S1 fader controllers, Focal Trio6 BE monitors with a Sub6 and Clear MG Pro headphones powered by the Rupert Neve Designs headphone amp. I mix in a hybrid environment with 32 channels of Apogee Symphony converters with analog summing by Rupert Neve Designs to achieve not only better separation and clarity, but also to drive into it for extra saturation and warmth. Complete with over 850 plugins with 3x UAD Octo Satellites.

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

A: 95% of my work now is mixing, but I still love to go into the studio and record projects as well.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I have a full questionnaire that I send to all my clients so I have the most information possible to achieve your ideal mix from day one.

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

A: Tool is one of my all time favorite artists, and I would love to work with them. However I have had the opportunity to work with some of my favorites already, including Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, Muse, and Steven Wilson.

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

A: I have had the privilege and honor to train under these greats: Robert Carranza, Spike Stent, Doug McKean, Alan Parsons, Billy Bush, Al Schmidt, Jim Scott, Darrell Thorp, Don Was, Steve Lillywhite, Ed Cherney, Gil Norton, Mike Clink, Greg Koller, Bill Bottrell, Greg Kurstin, Jerry Finn, Mike Plotnikoff, Mark Needham, Blake Mills, Dave Schiffman, Mike Shipley, Manny Marroquin, Greg Townley, Nate Kunkel, Frank Wolf, Brad Haehnel, Jim Hill, Gabe Moffat, and many more.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Don't make everything dirty, if you are looking for a grungy mix don't distort everything, distort a few things and have pristine sounds as well for contrast.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I always want to bring the artist's vision into focus. Achieving the vision for the song is my #1 priority. Whether it's super polished and clear or low-fi and distorted, I want the artist happy and excited about the music.