I record sounds. I don't like mixing that much. But it's ok. I like sound design and audio architecture. I learned it through trial and error, and by ear.

My great inspiration was Aki Peltonen in Pori in the late 80's. He kinda "taught" me to use his gear with "deep" instructions like these: "Ok, don't touch these channels here, i need them for my work tomorrow. Apart from that, this here fader is for reverb, this is for master levels, and turn out the lights when you leave!" Lots of overloaded levels, more than just a few out-of-phase mixes, and too many hours in the dark later I have around 150+ recording sessions on my name.

I've never owned a studio. Most of the times I go out there, and work in the most sophisticated, acoustically measured and prepared environments, like this space in Oulu 2009. The soundproofing was so great, one could hardly believe it's under a stairway:

Check out this guerrilla setup... quite hifi monitoring!!

Fortunately I have an OK working room at home for small sessions and post-production. Transfering cassettes, vinyl, minidisks, DAT, etc is easily handled. Gear porn includes Verdeaudio, Genelec, Oktava, M-audio....

Trivia: I have been approached a few times by major labels to "produce" their artists, cos they (the label people) "dig" "my" "sound".... oh man...
Rule #1 = if the band doesn't have the balls to contact me themselves, then I know already that it's a doomed project. Idiots who get used to somebody else taking care of their stuff?! Who wants to babysit that kinda morons?!?! Even for several thousand euros... fuck that shit. Wake up!!!

If you know what you want, you know your music, you wanna do a no-bullshit session, where you play live in a room, no headphones, minimal overdubs, enjoy the music and have some kinda working plan of ideas you wanna make real, then i can help you.

One day I will make some kinda detailed list of releases and sessions i have worked on, as in performed and/or recorded and/or mixed and/or mastered, but for now I'll just mention some that I can think of, in semi random order:

	NAVIGATIONS "The Green Valley" LP Among the top 5 of greatest, most mind-blowing finnish albums ever.

So as you see, I should have started keeping track of all this a looong mile ago. Did I get halfway my list?

I am not a big freak for HiFi gear. Maybe because I can't afford it, and also I believe a little bit in the emperor's new clothes. Well... if something's not broken, then it works. And sometimes it works even better when it's broken, ha!! Big Muff on drums? Sure!! Dictaphone in the hallway? Right on!! Besides, who listens to anything through some kinda Genelecs or Events at home? If you do, that's great, but in real life it means car stereos, headphones, craptacular home stereos... you get the idea.

I also know by now that EVERYTHING is allowed. Analog, digital, who cares. Take the best of both. Even The Supremes edited their recordings. No rules, no dogma. Just have a good take to start with. Please quit that analog vs digital fuzzle already. Same goes to PC vs MAC vs LNX.

Now get dirty and make some records too!!

If you need my help, drop me a line.

At Altai in 2007, secret shot taken by Asko Keränen. This picture combines the spirit of our times perfectly: analog mixer, outboard gear, but still... a MOUSE in my hand.

BANDS + PROJECTS

LABEL

REC / MIX / MASTER