Audio Engineering
Mixing, mastering, and MIDI drum programming for rock, metal, and loud records, handled directly by musician and producer David Russell.
Good fit for
- Rock and metal artists finishing a single, EP, or album
- Home-recording musicians who need an outside mix perspective
- Producers who need programmed drums that still feel playable
- Artists who want to deal directly with the engineer doing the work
Deliverables
- The mix, master, or MIDI programming defined in the scope
- File-preparation guidance before the session begins
- Revision terms agreed before booking
- Final files prepared for the agreed release use
- Direct notes from the engineer doing the work
Heavy music needs movement, not just level
A loud record still has to breathe. Drums drive the arrangement. Guitars carry weight without erasing the bass. Vocals stay present when the whole band opens up.
The work starts with the song and what you were going for. References help set the target. Pasting another record’s settings over yours doesn’t.
Three ways to finish the record
Mixing
Balance, tone, impact, automation, and translation from your multitracks. Your rough mix and references tell me what to protect and what’s getting in the way.
Mastering
Final tonal and level decisions on a mix that’s already done. If the mix needs a repair that mastering can’t make honestly, you hear that before the job starts, not after.
MIDI drum programming
Playable drum parts built around the arrangement, with velocity and timing movement that serves the song. Complexity varies too much for a flat per-song price, so I quote MIDI after I hear the track.
What to send first
A rough mix is enough to start. Add two or three references and a short note: what already feels right, what doesn’t, and when it needs to be out. If it’s a fit, I send the exact prep list and booking terms.
You can hear my own writing, recording, mixing, and mastering on Wretcher on Bandcamp.
How the work runs
- Step 1 Listen and confirm fit
Send the rough mix, references, and a short note about what's working and what isn't. I'll confirm whether the project fits before you book it.
- Step 2 Prepare the session
You get a practical file checklist so the multitracks, tempo information, edits, and references arrive in a form that can move straight into the work.
- Step 3 Build the result
I mix, master, or program the drums against the agreed direction, with the arrangement and musical intent ahead of preset chasing.
- Step 4 Review and deliver
We handle the agreed revision round, confirm the final format, and deliver the files for the release or next production stage.
Common questions
What styles do you work on?
The clearest fit is rock, metal, and other loud guitar-based music. Send a rough mix before booking so I can confirm the project fits rather than forcing the wrong approach onto it.
How should I send my files?
I provide a preparation checklist before work begins. Cleanly named consolidated tracks, the correct sample rate, tempo information, a rough mix, and a few useful references prevent avoidable delays.
Are revisions included?
The revision count and boundaries are agreed before booking. That keeps feedback focused and prevents either side from guessing what the price covers.
Can I book mastering without mixing?
Yes. Send the final mix for a quick fit check first. If the mix has a problem mastering can't solve, I'll flag it before taking the job.
Can you repair a bad recording?
Some issues can be improved, but mixing can't replace a missing performance or a fundamentally unusable recording. Send the rough material first and I'll be direct about the limit.
How is MIDI drum programming priced?
MIDI is quoted by song because arrangement density, editing needs, tempo changes, and the condition of any guide track vary widely.
Have a project that fits this service?
Send the brief, or look through the work before you decide.