What is your usual turnaround time?
Generally, singles can be finished a 1-2 days and albums in 4-6 weeks, depending on the complexity and my current volume of active projects. If you have a specific deadline, let me know, and I’ll do my best to work with you.
What genres do you usually work in?
I am happy to mix all genres, but I’ve worked mainly on indie rock, indie pop, folk, dream pop, shoegaze, alternative, lofi and synth pop projects. Check out my discography for examples.
Can you quantize my drums?
Yes, I can quantize drums and edit timing for other instruments as needed. Generally, there is no extra charge unless the editing required is extensive. I would caution that quantizing can be problematic for multi-track drums if the timing is significantly off/sloppy. Ideally, you deliver the best performance possible, and quantization is only a final polish to tighten a performance.
Can you tune my vocals?
Yes, I am happy to tune your vocals. I usually add a little more to my mixing rate to accommodate this depending on how many tracks need to be tuned. I use Melodyne and try to keep any tuning to a minimum to preserve the natural character and intonation of the performance. If you want a stronger treatment, please provide references to indicate your intended aesthetic.
Do you master? Is that included?
Yes, I do master tracks as well. If budget allows, I think using a separate mastering engineer is preferable to gain an additional creative perspective. But I always provide a basic master by default that is release-ready. I’m also happy to recommend mastering engineers that I know deliver top-notch results.
Why do I need mastering?
Mastering is a partially creative and partially technical process that ensures you deliver the best possible quality audio to whatever platform or medium it’s destined for. The creative aspect includes fine-tuning of the frequency response, dynamics, stereo width, and loudness to ensure it sounds as good as possible within the confines of your genre. The technical aspect includes optimizing the final file for its intended medium, including digital distribution (streaming), CDs, cassette tapes or vinyl.
How should I send my tracks to you?
I prefer to receive all tracks as WAV files in the native resolution that you recorded them. No need to upsample. Please send via a file transfer service like WeTransfer, Sendspace, Google drive or Dropbox to brianknolen@gmail.com. I prefer WeTransfer.
Additional requirements:
Make sure all WAV files start at the same point. I should be able to drop them all into a new session and have them be in sync.
Remove any plugins/processing that isn’t essential to the sound (ex. Amp sims). I’m open to rebuilding tones if you provide a reference, but if you like the basic sound you have there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. When in doubt send a wet & dry version.
Clearly label all instruments and indicate if they have an intended pan position (ex. Drum overhead L, Drum overhead R).
Why are reference tracks important?
A good reference track is more valuable than a thousand vague adjectives like “dreamy”, “punchy” or “exciting” to help understand your vision for a song. We all come from different music contexts and have our own unique tastes. So “I want the song to sound dreamy” might mean something totally different to you than it does to me. Instead, you can say, “I want it to sound dreamy like this song,” and instantly, I have a lot more useful information to work from.
How do I choose reference tracks?
Find 2-3 reference tracks that capture the sound you are going for (not just your favorite songs).
Be specific in what you are referencing in each track. Ex. “I love the psychedelic vocal effects in this song”, “I love the punchiness of the drums in this song”, “I love the overall smooth, warm tone of this song”
Make sure your references align with the genre and energy of your music–they would work well in a playlist together.
What to avoid when choosing references:
Expecting to sound exactly like X artist. Often, those choices are baked into the songwriting and production, and the mix can only enhance the existing production.
Avoid references that sound nothing like your music. Choosing a reggae song as a reference for an indie folk song is not very helpful, even if you like the mix of it.
Too many references. This can quickly become confusing and unhelpful.
References from past eras (unless you are actually going for an authentically throwback sound). You might be influenced by bands from the 1980s, but sonically, is that really how you want your mix to sound?
What is a vinyl pre-master?
Vinyl pre-mastering is the process of optimizing your audio for the lacquer-cutting stage when manufacturing vinyl. Deliverables include a high resolution audio file for each side of each vinyl record and a PQ sheet with the project info, song sequence, and run-time.
Do you offer mix advice?
Yes, I strongly believe in sharing my knowledge and frequently make production tutorials for iZotope and LEWITT. If you would like to set up a one-on-one consultation on your mix or a time to get tips on mixing in general, reach out to me and we can arrange something. I am also happy to offer feedback on songs I’m mastering.
