I am a recording engineer, but a musician first. This means I look at each project differently, e.g. the music and it's intent before thinking about what microphone is best for what application or what mix direction the intent requires.
I aim to make a record that best represents the band or creative you are. I will never impose with rules or my way asked of me in a full production. I will listen and always ask you questions as we navigate your vision and conversation is how we achieve the results. I always say there’s no wrong way to describe music or certain sounds so I will always ask you questions so I best understand how to navigate your vision.
For typical band style recordings I prefer to record how you are and bring out the best in it all. If you’re looking for complete drum replacements, guitar IR’s and other digital processes that are the foundation of your sound, then I’m happy to recommend some great producers who use that approach.
I will generally work from a source sound or tool, microphone or line into pre amp, records and mix. There’s no right or wrong way to make records but you should know how I work as almost every engineer does it differently.
Character in the recordings and mixes is how we as human listeners understand and connect with music. The communication and how we receive all recorded music, is the result of that recording and that mix. Think about any music in any time, along with the power and presentation of the song, it’s the recording that communicates your nostalgia.
Audio engineering and making records is a craft. Like all creative industries there’s the tracers and copiers. For me this is my life’s work and have dedicated a couple of decades of hands on practice to the craft.
I am confident in the knowledge and expertise I can offer your project and am available to work on your music in any professional studio.
I believe good records are when the intent is achieved. The attention to detail in that intent is what I live for!
As an audio engineer, I see many people’s workflows and we all do things a little differently.
To make you aware of how I work, I use a hybrid system of analog hardware and digital software - an analog mixing desk, outboard hardware with my computer DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and software plugins.
Recordings captured from the studio or location are played back onto my 24-channel analog console and then sent out to the board so I can build the mix in a classic studio format. Listening to the digital playback through the colours of analog.
In addition, I insert analog outboard EQ, dynamics and effects along with the DAW capabilities, which gives access to endless possibilities for the mix.
Mixes are real time captures printing all analog outboard characters.
This however is not a standard computer export and takes the time required.
All mixes are documented for recall. If you are wanting an “in the box” mix, please be aware that isn’t how I work when making typical records. However, I am happy to do this if requested.
For unattended/correspondence mix work, I look at 3 passes before we’re nearing the finish line. Mix pass 1 is for you to hear the general picture and to gather your overall/individual song notes on how to improve the mix. This is where you tell me the preferred mix direction in terms of volume, effects, and overall sound. A couple of back and fourths later with some more detailed mix notes and we’ll be in a great place.
My thinking is, classic recordings, microphones that suit the source to deliver the intent. Dynamics and equalisers to excite, impress and build the songs the way big records have always been made.
Enter the modern era and we have access to an enormous amount of handy tools and digital capabilities. We truly live in a time where we now have the best of both worlds in many creative fields.
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