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My strengths as an audio engineer


• SEE MY CURRENT RATES + INFO HERE •

• MY STRENGTHS AS AN AUDIO ENGINEER? • 

Maintaining close, tight communication with the client is key to me – to ensure ideal end results. I want no less, and I don’t want to get paid before we’re there (I’m often suggested pre-payment, but I always say, let me make it right for you first, and then you can pay me…and my clients always pay me, even though the option of not doing so in case they didn’t like it is there).
What’s very common with most mastering services (especially big, expensive ones) is that you send them your mix/premaster, they do their job…and even if there’s some glaring issues in it, the mastering engineer won’t make a point about it…then you’ll get the master back and hear all the shortcomings emphasized – but the mastering engineer won’t point it out to you (I do; I always feel we’re in it together).
Then, normally you’ll send your new mix to them, and they’ll run it thru the chain Continue reading My strengths as an audio engineer →

[VIDEO] About mixing + mastering + documentation service

A few words about my new service: mixing and mastering a song and documenting the process.

I do also “just” mix and master without documenting it on the regular. See info on my mixing and mastering services here.

PRICING/INFO:
• mastering: €45 per song
• mixing + mastering from tracks: €45 hourly rate
• mix + master+ document: €50 hourly rate (The song is mixed and mastered from tracks, and an explanatory video documenting the whole process is made).

Tools of the trade part 1

 

Tools of the trade from a mixing + mastering project from tracks for a client tackled (drum and bass).

Some trusted plugins here:
• Massey Tapehead is my favorite “beef-it-up-izer”…use it on wimpy drumsounds every time to give them a bit of girth. Also great in reducing excessive highs.
• iZotope Neutron transient designer is unbeatable in shaping the “shape” and tone of a drumsound…make it snappier or less so, brighter, longer, etc…love it.
• Oeksound Soothe is my number one tool in taming harsh resonances. And it makes it so dang easy for you. Use it on vox, harsh drums, sax, guitars…everything. Love the Delta mode, so you can hear exactly what you’re taking out.
• Slate Digital LLC goodies are all honey Continue reading Tools of the trade part 1 →

Tools of the trade part 2

Tools of the trade part 2.

This is from an electronic project done for a good vocalist.

• The Universal Audio SSL strip is working as a gate, eliminating plosives from the vocal tracks.
• The two compressors below it, LA-3A and LA2A, are my trusted vocal track levelers. If you need it, you can also introduce some lively distortion to the vocal and even go towards “radio voice” if you really push them.
• Soundradix Surfer EQ is Continue reading Tools of the trade part 2 →

Thought of the day: audio engineers

Audio engineers are the unsung heroes of music industry.
A lot of your favorite music sounds like it does thanks to a a good audio engineer: crisp, warm, balanced, hard-hitting…
It’s often the engineer who does the final adjustments for the sound and guides the producer in the right direction, also teaching him in the process.
I recently praised one of my favorite hip-hop producer’s music for its good punch and clarity, and he immediately turned my praise to the right direction, listing to me his trusted engineers.
A good audio engineer who understands your sound and vision is worth his weight in gold. There are tons of engineers out there, but you cannot always buy the proper understanding of specific styles of music with money – it either is there or it is not. There’s so many guys who are willing to charge you a fair amount of money but who may not necessarily understand your sound fully. Always go for an engineer whose background tells you the right story.
Even though there are lots of engineers to choose from – ranging from cheap newbies to impressingly expensive veterans – those who nail it exactly for you are hard to find, so if you find an engineer that gets your sound exactly where you want it to be, cherish that relationship.
I specialize mostly in bass music and hip hop and related styles. Should you need treatment for those, get in touch.