The Music Surgeon

BIOGRAPHY

Mix engineers have a huge role to play in modern record production; but what does it take to turn a collection of raw tracks into a chart-topping single?

The Music Surgeon, started out in the late 90s as a dance music producer. In his production afterlife and with a massif number one hit record under his belt, he cut his teeth in recording studios and as a live sound engineer in Holland and Europe in the early 2000s before moving to Los Angeles, emphasises that it's vital to retain an overview of the entire song. "You need to know what you're aiming for, or you're lost. Before I begin a mix, I will always have heard a rough mix that has at least the basic elements of the track and the vocal, and this gives me a direction. There's only one time to hear a song the first time, and I like to catalogue my first impressions because I trust them. So I'll begin the process by pulling out pen and paper and noting down the weaknesses and strengths of a song. Having done that I will pull up all the faders and make a first attempt in setting levels for the entire song, I will then make a snap shot.

The Dutch native, who has already mixed for the stunning likes of Beyonce, Britney Spears, Keri Hilson, Timbaland, Flo Rida, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Juelz Santana, Fat Joe, Remy Martin, Making The Band 4 and many more, is best known for his contribution of sound design to a mix, and the high guaranteed standard of mixed records prefers to work out of The Boom Boom Room in Burbank owned by multi media super star Will Smith. Pride of place in his favourite room is a SSL 9000J SuperAnalogue series console. Nowadays he works out of the West Room from Pacifique Studios in North Hollywood equipped with a SSL XL9000K with 96 inputs. He likes to mix hybrid using the best of both worlds. His much praised and respected blog (http://mirrormixing.blogspot.com/) reveals much of his experiences and used tricks of the trade.

No song can be a hit without a solid, well-balanced mix. Having an experienced mix engineer mix your music will significantly enhance the quality and marketability of your material whether it be a demo or a yet to released record. The Music Surgeon has years of mixing experience and has worked with some of the biggest names in music.

TESTIMONIALS

"One of the most talented mixers in the game" - Tha Otherz (Cool & Dre, Scott Storch, T-Pain, Ne-Yo, Mario)

"An engineering prodigy" - Dave Hard Drive Pensado (Mary J Blige, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Keyshia Cole)

"Incredible mix engineer" - Eric Ari LeTennen (Backstreet Boys, N Sync, Britney Spears, Westlife)

"I always looked for that Tony Maserati and Pensado sound.... and here I go!" - Amir E. Ashker (MTV USA, Walt Disney Channel, British Popstars, Germans Next Idol)

"We were looking for someone who could help us get that US sound" - Tatu Jones (US Multi Million Selling Pop & R&B Recording Artist)

"Extremely gifted mixer" - Adrian L. Miller Grammy Award Nominee and former VP of A&R Warner Brothers Records Los Angeles (Flo Rida, Sugar Ray, OutKast, Afro Man, Cypress Hill, Coolio, Rage Against the Machine)

"Why cant nobody in the UK mix like this?" - Keisha White (UK Gold Selling R&B Recording Artist)

"Man you rock!" - Raz Nitzan (Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, DJ Tiesto, Blank & Jones)

"Its always good to find someone young and has that golden ear.." - Kathy Hughes VP of A&R Sony BMG Entertainment Los Angeles (Avril Lavigne, Foo Fighters, John Mayer, McFly, Adema)

THE MUSIC SURGEON ENDROSES

Focusrite Audio Engineering, Ltd.
http://www.focusrite.com/

KRK Systems, L.l.c.
http://www.krksys.com/

Novation DMS, Ltd.
http://www.novationmusic.com/

Ableton, AG
http://www.ableton.com/

TL Audio, Ltd.
http://www.tlaudio.co.uk/

Full Armour Clothing, L.l.c.
http://www.faclothing.com/

Sonnox Oxford Plugins, Ltd.
http://www.sonnoxplugins.com/

THE GRINEHOUSE (SONY BMG ENTERTAINMENT)

Is a production powerhouse conglomerate of multi platinum songwriters and producers, and mixing engineers' Jimmy Douglas and The Music Surgeon (Koen Heldens) under direction of Michael L. Martin Jr. (CEO) and Dashawn White (CEO). In their short period of existance they have sold a total over 20 million records and various number one and top ten positions in the American Billboard charts. They are one of the most sought after production houses in the world. The inhouse A&R is Kathy Hughes, Vice President of A&R at Sony BMG Entertainment USA.