Greetings! Michael James here… I’m looking forward to participating in this group. For context, here’s some background. Against the odds, I’ve been blessed to do my favorite activity for a living: make music with people I love. Brief history: homeless emancipated minor at 14, full scholarship to UCLA, got first record deal at 19 while still homeless, produced first major label album at 26, married the love of my life at 29, became Head of A&R and staff producer at Warner Music Discovery at 32, returned to freelance work a couple years later. I was surrounded by people who recognized my talent and drive, and without their support I might’ve faded into obscurity or starvation. Instead I’m currently 45 years into a career in which I’ve thrived. I do what I can to pay it forward by dropping knowledge when it is requested. Hit me up if you want to pick my brain about anything. Although my private mix room is stocked with all my favorite equipment from over the years, I’m much more interested in squeezing emotion out of music than I am in playing with gear. Don’t get me wrong – I like having good equipment and knowing how to use it, but at the end of the day I don’t care about impressing my Engineer friends as much as I care about making a listener FEEL something. Other fun facts: I was a professional bicycle racer. I love the outdoors. Although not religious, I’m deeply spiritual. I endorse Tom Anderson Guitars, Mesa Boogie amplifiers, Dangerous Music, Manley Labs, etc. In the 1990s I developed a bunch of signature algorithms and presets for Eventide, Lexicon and TC Electronic. I was at the forefront of mixing Dolby Atmos for music, and my 2021 album titled Shelter In Place was the first one ever distributed by Sony/Orchard. Any questions? Let’s teach each other some new stuff!