In today’s music landscape, more artists than ever have access to recording tools. You can make a song from your bedroom, release it globally, and reach an audience within minutes.
And yet, most music still doesn’t sound professional.
So what’s missing?
We spoke with Grammy-nominated engineer and producer Richard “Vern” Brummond, a recent addition to the Mytalent family, he brings over 15 years of experience working with artists across the US and Europe—helping them craft the clarity, punch, and power needed to compete on a global stage.
Over the years, he has worked with artists such as Lil Wayne, Lisa Haley, Hurt, Turbonegro, Built to Spill, Econoline Crush, The Cliks, J. R. Richards, Cog, Belladona, Oedipus, AntiProduct, Klik, Harmony Drive, Bulk, 5 Years and Counting, Kenneth Engebretsen, Chyshuga, and Happy Victims - just to name a few.
Having worked out of studios like Radio Star Studios, Soundfarm, and Urban Sound Studio in Oslo - and alongside Grammy-winning producer Sylvia Massy (Tool, Prince, Johnny Cash, System of a Down) - he knows exactly where things go wrong.
1. It Starts With the Performance - Not the Gear
“The biggest misconception is that better gear equals a better record,” Brummond explains. “It doesn’t. A great performance on average gear will always beat a mediocre performance on expensive gear.”
Many artists rely on editing, tuning, and post-processing to “fix” a take - but that approach almost always falls short. Professional recordings start with intentional, emotional performances that already sound convincing before any processing is applied.
“You can’t fake conviction. Listeners feel that instantly.”
2. Arrangement Is Everything
One of the most overlooked factors in a professional sound is arrangement.
“If every instrument is fighting for the same space, your mix will never sound clear - no matter how good your plugins are.”
Professional productions are often deceptively simple. Each part has a purpose - and more importantly, space to exist.
This means:
- Choosing complementary tones
- Avoiding frequency overlap
- Knowing when not to add more
“A lot of artists overproduce. They stack parts instead of making decisions.”
3. Source Tone Beats Fixing It Later
Another major difference between amateur and professional recordings is how early tone decisions are made.
“Professionals commit early. They don’t leave everything for the mix.”
That includes:
- Mic selection and placement
- Guitar amp tone
- Vocal chain choices
- Room acoustics
“If your source sounds right, mixing becomes easy. If it doesn’t, you’re fighting it the entire time.”
4. The Room Matters More Than You Think
Many artists underestimate the impact of their recording environment.
“You could have a $3,000 microphone, but if your room sounds bad, it’s going to sound like a $100 mic.”
Reflections, standing waves, and poor monitoring conditions all affect how your mix translates.
Professional studios invest heavily in:
- Acoustic treatment
- Monitoring accuracy
- Speaker placement
“It’s not about making the room look cool - it’s about making it honest.”
5. Mixing Is About Balance - Not Tricks
Plugins and presets are everywhere - but they’re not what makes a mix sound professional.
“A professional mix isn’t about tricks. It’s about balance.”
That means:
- Proper level relationships
- Controlled dynamics
- Intentional frequency distribution
“If something isn’t working, it’s usually not because you need another plugin - it’s because something is out of balance.”
6. Less Processing, More Decisions
A common mistake is over-processing.
“People stack compressors, EQs, saturators - hoping something clicks. But usually, they’re just making things worse.”
Instead, professionals:
- Use fewer tools
- Make clearer decisions
- Commit to sounds
“Every move should have a purpose. If you don’t know why you’re doing it, don’t do it.”
7. Translation Is the Final Test
A professional track sounds good everywhere - not just in the studio.
Car speakers. Headphones. Phone speakers. Streaming platforms.
“If your mix only sounds good in one place, it’s not finished.”
This is where experience - and accurate monitoring - becomes critical.
Final Thoughts
At this point, the gap between amateur and professional sound is no longer about access.
Everyone has the tools.
What separates professionals is how they use them.
It comes down to:
- Performance
- Arrangement
- Decision-making
- Experience
“The tools are available to everyone now,” Brummond says.
“What separates professionals is how they use them.”
The Real Difference
Most artists upload.
Few actually develop.
Why He Joined MyTalent
“What stood out to me about MyTalent is that it pushes artists to actually grow — not just upload and hope for the best. That’s why I wanted to be part of it.
When you combine competition, collaboration, and real industry access, you’re giving artists something most of them are missing — a real path to development.”
Richard “Vern” Brummond
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