About
Hey, I’m Donald—a lifelong chaser of tone and tinkerer of broken gear. I’m an audio engineer, live-sound tech, repair whisperer, and, on rare occasions, a musician who actually finishes a song. If you’re here, you probably care about your gear as much as your music—so do I.
Upstate Sound & Repair is my way of keeping our little corner of the world humming, one recalcitrant circuit at a time. I consult for venues, help artists chase good sound, and I show up when your vintage Moog throws a tantrum or your podcast needs a little love. If you want work done right (but not uptight), I’m the guy who shows up with a soldering iron, way too many opinions, and a sense of humor.
Services
Studio & Gear Repair
Your studio is only as good as its weakest link. I diagnose and repair mixers, preamps, tape machines, and all those vintage boxes you can’t live without. Think of me as your gear’s therapist — I listen carefully and I don’t judge.
Synth & Audio Gear Repair
Analog synths are living, breathing beasts — and they get cranky. I service and restore vintage synthesizers, drum machines, samplers and outboard gear. Whether it’s a cracked membrane or a blown capacitor, I’ll get the soul back in your circuits.
Music Production
I partner with bands and solo artists to produce, record and shape their music. From pre-production and arrangement to mixing and mastering, I help you capture what you hear in your head and translate it to tape. No cookie-cutter templates — just honest collaboration and sonic exploration.
Podcast Production
Have a story to tell? I provide recording, editing and mixing for podcasts and audio books. I’ll help you sound like you know what you’re doing — crisp vocals, balanced levels, and maybe the occasional tasteful synth stab.
Live Sound Engineering
From tiny clubs to weird warehouse gatherings, I mix live shows that feel like they’re meant for you. Clean, loud and feedback-free. Yes, I’ll carry cases and tape cables because I’m not above grunt work.
Consulting & Education
One-on-one consulting for studios, bands, and venues. Signal-flow bootcamps, mix reviews, live rig sanity checks, and hands-on solder sessions. Learn the why, not just the settings.
Past Work
- Live & Session Engineer – Artis-Naples: engineered recordings for the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and various chamber ensembles at Artis-Naples (home of the Naples Philharmonic).
- Mix Consultant – Swansons Studios: partnered with Britt to fine-tune session mixes for local bands, offering fresh ears, technical fixes and workflow hacks.
- Producer & Mix Engineer – 10-Song LP (in progress): producing, recording, mixing and mastering a full-length album — custom synth patches, recorded instruments, a few talk-radio samples — 100% handcrafted, all original.
- Podcast Producer – Trailside Carolina: recorded, produced, mixed and mastered the Trailside Carolina podcast — crystal-clear audio and immersive storytelling for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Gear Repair Repertoire: Yamaha DX7/DX7IIFD, CS01, CS50/60, SK-20, Microkorg, Lexicon 300, Korg SK1, Kawai K1, Roland JP-3000 & RE-201, Ibanez TS-9, Mu-Tron III, Fender Twin (reissue), Pro Reverb (1967), Musicman HD-150, ART PRO VLA II, A Designs MP-2A… and many more.
Contact
Ready to get that crackling amp sorted, record a new podcast or just chat about synths? Drop me a line — I’m based in Greenville, South Carolina and I love meeting fellow audio nerds.
Email me at info@upstatesound.co.