About Ian O’Brien:
Bio:
I'm an audio engineer that loves all the little details. With experience, recording, mixing, performing, producing, and in sound design, I am a hard worker who loves learning every little thing I can. With a M.S and B.S in Audio Engineering from Belmont, I'll make sure every bit is to your liking.
I've always been someone interested in music. I first became interested in the world of audio engineering when I joined a New Jersey based a cappella group which toured every summer. Once I learned how to set up basic audio equipment and started to learn how to mix. I started putting out my own music. I took junior level NYU classes in audio engineering and eventually went to Belmont to get my Bachelor's in Audio Engineering. After getting my bachelor's I started working around town at different studios learning everything that I can and now am working on my master's.
While I am new to working online with clients, I am familiar and at ease with bringing out the best qualities in a song that I can and that the artist wants. I can take on any project by artists who want to polish their song to the best it can be.
Q&A:
Q&A:
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I mostly do mixing and mastering for my clients. I do some comping, vocal tuning, and give feedback also to my clients.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: When it comes to mixing I personally try and limit how much I solo something, because overall it's all about how it blends together versus individually. I'll work big first and then get narrow and go small.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a new perspective. I write music in my downtime and I've toured before as part of an a cappella group, so I am very familiar with the music world and its own landscape along with music composition. Along with this I also do post production and I think any engineer should learn any aspect of audio engineering and put that to good use.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I have really sensitive ears so usually I hear things that no one else does. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I try and make sure that no matter what I'm working on that it has to be perfect.
Q: Can you share one production tip?
A: Color your reverb. Why just use a standard reverb when you eq it and get something much more desirable out of it?
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Laufey. 100%. That would be a dream come true. To work with her alone or with a symphony? That would be awesome.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I'd describe it as neat. If a mix needs subtle it needs subtly, if need some extra oomph then that what it needs. My style is to cater to other styles and accent on the best parts of those styles and use what makes them unique.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: It's okay to ask questions! In fact I encourage them! I think audio engineering and the process of mixing a song is one that should be educational and should be truly unique experience.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What artists are your inspirations in terms of your music?/What sound design is your inspiration in terms of your project? What's the coolest bit of your project to you, the part you're super excited to share with the world, and how do you wanna go about highlighting it?
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I get to be part of something bigger than myself. I've always been told that you should leave something better than how you found it. I think that's a big part of who I am as a person.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise to be honest with you. I'm a guy who thinks honesty is the best policy and in the music realm I think there's a lot of yes men. If you want to know something I'll be honest with you because you deserve honesty, trust a professionalism.