Tell us about yourself.
I started as a musician, a multi-instrumentalist and a songwriter, but I was also studying for a Degree in Science. Becoming a sound engineer was the perfect marriage of my interests. I was doing a lot of session work in studios and ended up thinking, ‘hey, I could do this!’
What projects do you like working on?
I try not to limit myself to specific genres, I’d get bored! I learn a great deal by exposing myself to all production styles. For instance, this week I’ve been working on a Jazz album, a HipHop artist, and an Indie band. I find the creative insight of bouncing form genre to genre absolutely invaluable.
Who have you worked with?
I’ve worked with countless up and coming local bands over the years, I think Melbourne’s music scene is one of the best and most diverse anywhere. Recently, I’ve just finished mixing an EP for Riv Ngwenya, one of the X-Factor contestants. I’ve been engineering an album for jazz legend Tony Gould, and mixing some tracks for local Ska style Indie band Lo Pan.
What studio do you prefer working at?
These days I work pretty much exclusively out of Black Pearl Studios in Moorabbin. Yury and Galina have setup an amazing facility down there, with the most extensive list of gear I’ve ever seen. What you get for the price down there is hard to beat!
What’s your favourite piece of gear?
I’d have to say the acoustic space I record in. I love batteries of analog gear as much as the next guy, but there’s no substitute for a well treated, reverberant live room. Black Pearl nailed this with their studio design, high roofs, no parallel surfaces, but still plenty of zing when you need it.
What can you offer an artist on top of producing their work?
These days the budget isn’t there to specialize, so you need to be a jack of all trades. I regularly produce, arrange, record, mix and master projects. But lately I’ve really been enjoying putting together orchestral arrangements for bands, that symphonic thing is in at the moment, and it turns out that not many people know how to do it.
Phone: 03 9939 7209 or 0413 022 710
Website: blackpearlstudios.com.au
Email: [email protected]
