Biography
A lifelong music obsession that evolved into a professional path in recording, mixing, mastering, education, and digital tools/products.
Music has always been an important part of my life. I remember when I was a tiny human and used to bang away on a homemade drum kit made out of strategically placed margarine containers and ice cream pales. The faux drum set was quickly replaced with a novice sized orange sparkle drum kit bought at a garage sale and an electric guitar & amp kit from Costco (and thankfully I've upgraded all of that gear as the years went by).
My first band was called "Doofeye." We were a cover band and played our first concert called "Doofest 2002." I switched out between drummer and guitarist. I was the drummer in two other bands "Lacewing" & "The Equation" (all originals this time). I even started my own 1-piece band called "Sirloin Casket" which was my creative outlet to experiment with different genres and to learn more about songwriting and production.
I was experimenting with Recording/Mixing/Mastering as of about 2002. My first DAW was Cool Edit Pro, then Adobe Audition once they bought them out in 2003. I bought myself a Korg D4 portable recorder, then later a Zoom R16. It wasn't until about 2012 when I decide to get serious with Audio Engineering.
I bought Cubase Pro 6.5 and an audio interface and some studio monitors. I started producing Electronic Music under the alias Phantom Limb (dubstep) & a few years later as Antoku (deep house/nu disco) and more recently as Rhythm Ace (chill hip hop). I also started providing services to bands and started a YouTube Channel.
In 2019, I had the opportunity to visit Steinberg's headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, where I was given a guided tour of their facilities.
During the visit, I met with team members across several departments and gained valuable insight into how their software, hardware, and broader product ecosystem are developed, tested, and supported.
I've had the pleasure of working with talented artists such as Ante Svircic, Leonard, Jon Harris, Gypsy Mobile, Stephanie Harpe, Manobra de Massa, Timmy James, Mindwiser, & Cataclysm. Some of my recordings and mixes have found their way to Howie Weinberg Mastering & various radio stations.
You might be surprised to learn that I have an Automotive Mechanic Certificate, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics. Not only am I addicted to music, but I'm also proud of my technical and academic background.
Outside the studio
A few snapshots from life beyond the mixing desk
I'm addicted to music, so naturally I spend every spare minute making music and fiddling around with gear.
If I'm not in the studio, I'm probably dancing up a storm in an astronaut costume at a music festival.
Or you'll catch me hiking in the summer or hittin that sweet pow at the tippy top of the mountain in the winter.