Mixing · Production · Recording · Melbourne and online
Mixing & production in Melbourne, for artists who care about the music
I Listen Deeply To Get To The Heart Of The Music You're Trying To Make.
I’m Daniel, a musician, producer and mix engineer. I listen for what’s already working, what the song is trying to become, and what’s getting in its way — then use mixing, production or recording to help bring it into focus.
Get an indicative estimate first, then send me your music so I can confirm I’m the right person for it.
Listening for what's worth keeping
Every project arrives a little differently. Some recordings are already close to what the artist hears in their head. Others have a great performance sitting inside a rough session, or a production that isn’t quite supporting the song yet.
Either way, I start by listening for what’s working, because that tells me what to protect. Then I deal with whatever’s getting in its way, using mixing, production or recording, depending on what the song actually needs.
The work
Have a listen first
The finished records say more than I can, so here are a few I’ve been part of.
The way I listen
I listen as a musician first
I started playing drums at 12, and along the way I’ve played in rock bands and done session work for other artists. That’s shaped how I listen more than anything else. When I put up a session, I’m listening to the performance before I’m listening to frequencies: the pocket, the feel between the players, the moment in the song that makes you lean in.
The technical side still matters, and I’ve spent a long time learning it properly. But it only earns its place when it helps the music land.
How I can help
Mixing
You’ve recorded the song and the production is where you want it. I’ll take your sessions, get to know what you’re going for, and turn them into a finished mix. Editing, tuning and timing work is included once I’ve heard what the song needs, and every mix comes with two rounds of revisions.
Production & recording
Some songs need more than a mix. That might mean developing an arrangement from a demo, adding parts (drums, bass, keys, guitars, played or programmed), or recording the performances. I record drums and smaller sessions in my own studio. For full-band tracking, I produce and engineer at an external studio suited to the session, with the studio hire quoted separately.
Mastering
When I mix your record, I recommend having it mastered by another engineer. I work with the same mastering engineer on most projects, and I’m happy to connect you with them. A fresh set of ears at the final stage can catch things I’m too close to hear. If budget is tight, I offer an AI-assisted mastering option that I review myself. And if you’ve already got finished mixes, I’m happy to master them for you.
The projects I enjoy most
Lately a lot of my work has been rock, hard rock and country. I’d love to hear from more funk, R&B and dance acts too. Genre isn’t the deciding factor for me, though. What matters is the music itself, and an artist who cares how it turns out.
You'll probably get the most out of working with me if:
- the song matters to you and you want it to come across the way you hear it
- you care about performance and feel as much as technical polish
- you’d welcome another perspective on the production or mix
- you’re after a creative collaborator rather than the lowest price
It’s probably not the right fit if:
- price is the main thing you’re comparing engineers on
- you’d like unlimited changes within a fixed fee
How it works
From first message to finished record
Tell me about the project.
Use the project planner to tell me what you’re making, where it’s at and what you need.
Get an estimate.
The planner gives you an indicative range, and a copy goes to your inbox.
I listen.
Send me the music and I’ll listen before confirming anything, so we both know I’m the right person for it.
We agree on the scope.
I’ll send a clear quote covering the work, the price and the timeline.
We make the record.
Revisions and delivery.
Two rounds of revisions are included, and the final files come to you ready for release.
The experience behind the work
Where it comes from
I’ve been recording and mixing since 2010. That year Andy Baldwin was recording and mixing my rock band, Ralph DeSilver, and I spent most of those sessions picking his brain. He told me to get a Pro Tools rig, so I did. I went on to study sound engineering at Victoria University in 2011 and 2012.
Session drumming, including Sam Pollard’s album Steps, led me to David Nicholas. He later invited me to assist him on Katie Noonan’s albums Songbook and Fierce Hearts. In 2014, on Andy’s recommendation, I spent time learning from Jack Joseph Puig at Mix With The Masters. A lot of how I mix today is built on that, along with what I’ve worked out for myself since.
- Assistant to David Nicholas (Katie Noonan)
- Mix With The Masters with Jack Joseph Puig
- Advanced Diploma of Sound Engineering
- Advanced Diploma of Music Performance
- Session drummer
In their words
I'm Daniel
I’m a musician, producer and mix engineer based in Melbourne. I’ve been playing drums since I was 12 and recording and mixing since 2010.
That order matters. I came to mixing as a musician, so I hear your song the way you do: as parts, feel and emotion, not just frequencies and levels. You don’t need the technical vocabulary. Tell me the chorus needs to lift, the groove feels stiff or the vocal doesn’t sound like you, and I’ll know what you mean and how to get it there.
Less time translating. More time hearing your song become what you meant it to be.
FAQ
Probably. I’ll listen to your project before deciding whether I’m the right fit.
No. A clean recording makes things easier, but it isn’t the only thing I listen for. If the performance or the song underneath it is strong, that’s usually worth working with.
Yes. I can work from your existing production, develop an arrangement from a demo, add parts, or record the performances, depending on what the song needs.
I recommend another engineer masters them, and I’m happy to connect you with the one I use on most projects. There’s also a budget AI-assisted option that I review myself. If you only need mastering, I can do that for you.
It depends on the size of the session, the song length and what the project needs. The planner gives you an indicative range, and I’ll confirm the final price once I’ve heard the music and we’ve agreed on the scope.
Two rounds are included. Beyond that, extra work is charged at an hourly rate, though small tweaks are fine.
I’ll confirm the timeline in your quote once I’ve heard the music and know the scope.
Yes. Mixing and mastering are done online, so I work with artists anywhere.
The Mix Prep Guide covers exactly how to prepare and label your files. Read the Mix Prep Guide →
Got a song you believe in?
Tell me what you’re working on. The planner will give you a realistic starting point, and I’ll listen to the music before confirming anything.
The estimate is a guide, not a booking or a confirmed quote.
This form is for music projects only. Design, marketing and “collaboration” enquiries from businesses aren’t answered.