Today we’d like to introduce you to Nigel Dean.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story begins at an early age. Since I can remember, my life has been encompassed in music. At the age of ten, I began playing the violin in my school’s orchestra and continued until I was 14. At 11, I got my first guitar and began taking lessons. It was after getting engulfed with passion from my guitar studies, I knew music would be my pursuit in life. When I graduated high school, I enrolled in Boise State University’s music department as a Music Composition major. My specific emphasis was a major in classical guitar and a minor in classical piano. After two years of my degree, my career interests changed to the direction of music production and audio engineering. I moved to San Diego and became an apprentice of producer Patrick Heaney at Phaser Control Recording Studio. Under his mentorship, I learned the skills I needed to succeed and thrive in the industry. Through time, I eventually became one of Phaser’s engineers and have been privileged enough to work with some very talented artists including the Cold War Kids, X-Ambassadors, Walk the Moon, the Revivalists, and Twin Shadow to name a few.
During my tenure at Phaser, I have also been engaged in a solo music project titled Sundiatta (which is also my business name that I go under for my private clients.) Sundiatta can be described as an electronic house music project. Since I started the project I’ve been lucky enough to sign certain tracks to labels, the most recent being Deeplomatic Records in the UK. Among my other endeavors, I am also an active DJ, playing venue and clubs all over southern California and the west coast (Atomic, Sidebar, House of Blues Anaheim, Blonde, Empire, Tom Grainy’s). With the goal of reciprocating the knowledge taught to me back to the community, I am also a teacher at the Recording Connection Audio Institute where I teach music production to aspiring producers. Throughout my career thus far, I have been blessed and honored to work with such talented local artists. I only hope to continue these blessings and to give back to the community as much as I possibly can.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I do not believe that there is ever a smooth road to success. My journey has been blessed but it has not been without its tribulations. The music industry has always had a reputation for being difficult and cutthroat, to say the least. Given that my particular position at the studio relies heavily on successful networking coincided with a solid reputation. I was a particularly shy youth. I have never been overly introverted, but I was shy enough in my early adulthood to come across as quiet and reserved. My biggest challenge was transitioning my demeanor from a quiet and timid individual to an articulate and ambitious socialite. Working with artists and clients relies tremendously on establishing personal connections as well as developing strong trust among them.
I think people’s biggest obstacle when pursuing my career field is that one can become easily deterred from the initial uphill struggle of acquiring clients and expanding one’s reputation among the community. This was indeed a struggle I endured myself. It is exceptionally hard to prove one’s skillset within a community that is already heavily saturated whilst recording studios are simultaneously dwindling in there ubiquitousness. The key is perseverance and a proclivity to go above and beyond in one’s work ethic.
Please tell us about Sundiatta; Work out of Phaser Control Recording Studio.
My work is done within the beautiful walls of Phaser Control Recording Studio. Established in 2012 by local musician and owner Timothy Joseph, Phaser has become a staple and icon which has led it to develop a reputation as one of the premier studios in San Diego. My work is mostly freelance, so the business model at Phaser makes it very welcoming to an independent businessman like myself.
My job description differs depending on whether my client hires me as a producer or engineer. If hired as a producer, it is my duty to oversee all aspects of a recording session; from planning the sessions to the finished project. I am responsible for providing any instruments the artists need as well as scheduling studio time and handling funding, costs, and negotiations. It is also within my realm of responsibility to coach artists and provides advice in order to achieve the desired end result. The end result being the creation, publication, and distribution of quality music.
As an audio engineer, I use equipment to record, synchronize, mix, or reproduce music, voices, or sound effects. My responsibilities typically require the ability to minimize unwanted sound, regulating volume levels and sound quality, setting up microphones, cooperating with producers, and providing oversight during live productions. Maintaining an exceptional sound quality that is polished and meets industry standards is absolutely imperative in the recording and production process. My clients rely on me to maintain this quality.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could speak with my past self my biggest piece of advice would have been to enroll as a business major. I’ve been fortunate to have had excellent mentorship and have maintained a strong ambition to constantly learn and excel. This has enabled me to acquire the necessary expertise to be a successful businessman. I have little doubt though that if my studies at Boise State would have been more business-focused, I would have excelled quicker at establishing my business model and practices.
Pricing:
- Mixing (Per song): $250
- Mastering (Per song): $50
- Recording: $60 an hour
- Full music composition and production: Prices vary
Contact Info:
- Address: 6320 Riverdale St. San Diego, CA 92120
- Website: http://www.phasercontrolrecordingstudio.com/
- Phone: 2089571502
- Email: nigel@sundiatta.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sundiattamusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sundiattamusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sundiattamusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7ejEPKOoM52L9d6yBqjFWN
Image Credit:
91 the X
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