Sound Engineering

An ear shaped by
decades of listening.

Trained sound engineer, lifelong musician, and someone whose world has always been defined by what I hear. When you can't see, you listen harder. That's the advantage I bring to every session.

I don't mix with my eyes. I mix with decades of trained listening. Your audience hears the music, they don't watch a waveform.

James working at a large studio mixing desk

30+

Years playing music

Trained

Sound engineer

Ear-first

Every decision by ear

// Services

Recording

Capture your sound with precision. Whether it's a full band session, vocals, or solo instruments, I bring the technical ear to get the best take.

Mixing

Balance, EQ, compression, spatial placement. I take your raw tracks and shape them into a cohesive, polished mix that sounds right on every system.

Mastering

The final step before release. Loudness optimization, stereo imaging, and quality control to make sure your music sounds its best everywhere it plays.

James at a mixing desk, black and white

// What I Work With

DAW & Computing

Ableton Live 11 on MacBook Pro M1. Fast, stable, and built for long sessions.

Interface & Monitoring

SSL 12 audio interface. Studio headphones with dedicated headphone amp for critical listening.

Microphones

Condenser and dynamic microphones for vocals, instruments, and voiceover work.

Instruments

Roland TD-25KV electronic drums, Ibanez guitar. Real instruments, played by ear.

James at a professional mixing console, hands on the faders

// Why Work With Me

Ear-first engineering.

I rely on listening, not visual waveforms. Every decision is made by ear, which is exactly how your audience will experience the music too.

Technical and creative.

I understand the science of sound and the art of music. Compression ratios and emotional impact in the same conversation.

Clear communication.

I'll explain what I'm doing and why, in language that makes sense whether you're a seasoned producer or recording your first track.

Genre-flexible.

From rock to electronic, jazz to podcasts. Different genres need different treatment, and I adapt my approach to serve the music.

A musician's perspective.

I've been playing music for over 30 years. I don't just hear frequencies, I hear what the song is trying to say.

Need music produced or a musician for your project?

I also compose, produce, and perform on any instrument.

Check out my Music Production and Professional Musician pages.