I've been making records for a long time now; my approach has varied over the years, but not my mission. I have been, am, and always will be committed to making great records in great studios with great musicians/artists, and always putting the needs and desires of my clients first. It's easier said than done. I find the most successful records I have done have all had several common elements contributing to the success of the record.

First and foremost, if your song does not have a good arrangement, you are dead right where you stand. No amount of gold spray paint is going to help you cover up that turd. Coming up with a great arrangement requires preproduction with clear and constant line of communication with all parties involved. The demos do not need to be polished; in fact, I don’t encourage my clients to make complicated, shiny demos because it's only going to make your life miserable when it’s time to go into the studio for real. Quick, dirty, and to the point, I say. Make sure everything is clearly laid out and leave room for creative adaptation and even audibles. If you’re prepared going into the session, you’ll have more time to be creative and try different things that you would not have gotten a chance to do if you just walked into the studio and wing it. I have been on sessions where people have winged it and were successful, but that is such a rare occurrence that you have a better chance of winning the lottery.

I’m a big fan of making modern classics. I’m really not interested in putting a band in a room around one mic and letting it rip. I respect the process and what it was, but it's 2024, the recording technology is the best that it has ever been, and I am a huge fan of using lots of toys, making decisions on the spot, and utilizing modern technology to make the best records humanly possible. I am not a fan of using AI to write music but am a fan of using AI to shape the sonics and help with the mundane bullshit details us engineers encounter on a daily basis. Blend the old with the new but with the emphasis on NEW. You want to sound like the Beatles knock yourself out, go hire out Abbey Road, and enjoy to your heart’s content, it’s not for me, it’s been done and way too regurgitated.  However, if you want the recording principles that were used to make those records, I’m in.

​I don’t know everything, but I’m always learning and refining my approach and techniques. I’m always willing to try new things and always embrace constructive criticism well. I ask my clients to give their best, play hard, embody studio etiquette, and don’t be an asshole. “Be Good or Be Gone” it’s that simple. I hope the opportunity presents itself for us to work together, and please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.

 

All my best!!!

Mark

​