MUSICIAN, RECORD PRODUCER AND ENGINEER WITH A STUDIO HISTORY TWO DECADES LONG

TKO is a seasoned music producer and audio engineer based in New Zealand, known for his deep roots in the heavy music scene and a career spanning over two decades. Since beginning his journey in 1999, TKO has evolved from a dedicated tracking engineer into a full-fledged producer, mixer, and studio owner, working with hundreds of artists across genres. His studio, The Armoury in Wellington, is equipped with high-end analog gear and tailored for professional, genre-defining sound—especially in the realms of drums hardcore and metal.

Over the years, TKO has cultivated a reputation for his meticulous approach to production, emphasizing songcraft, arrangement, and authenticity. His production style is centered around collaboration and adaptability, with each project carefully tailored to reflect the artist’s vision. While his experience spans everything from opera to rock, he is particularly known for his work on the heavier side of things, having produced and mixed for some of New Zealand’s most aggressive and technical acts, including 4 albums for Bulletbelt, Blindfolded and Led to the Woods, Organectomy, Carnal, Red Dawn and Crowns and Lunacy to name a few.

With more than 2,000 songs mixed and a hands-on philosophy that values both technical precision and creative intuition, making TKO productions world class.

PRODUCING

Producing music for bands is one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences. It draws on every single piece of my knowledge; from playing in bands from the age of 18 years old, to studying Jazz, to recording music professionally for over 20 years.

It’s challenging because no two bands require the same set of skills or approach to help them achieve their goals. Helping a band develop their songs, then recording and mixing them beyond what they thought was possible, is one of the most rewarding feelings of being a music producer.

My style of producing can really be summed up with this ‘I serve the song’ and the artist of course!

Every band is different and there’s no set of rules I stick to as a producer. For every project I produce, I go over a basic checklist. From there, I plan the big picture and do whatever it takes to make it happen!

Pre Production Checklist

• Attending rehearsals and making demos

• Creating play alongs for individual members to practise to

• Song arrangements: are they the best they can be?

• Tempos, Keys, etc

• Correct gear is on hand for the sound the band want

• Lyrics, phrasing, melody and harmony

• All instruments parts - are they working and making the song the best it can be?

In the Studio

• Planning sessions who, when, where what and how

• Helping the band with big picture of what they are trying achieve 

• Choosing takes, all editing and production

• The vision of the project and the big picture

RECORDING WITH TKO

Coming soon.

RECENT RECORDING SESSIONS

MIXING

Things have changed a great deal in the past few years. Currently most released recordings will have some aspect of a project studio in the production process (which is a fantastic thing). 

Mixing is still an area of expertise where an experienced professional mixer can take the mix and song to the next level. It’s widely known you can’t mix in a project studio due to acoustic limitations. I’ve purposely built my studio for mixing; control room equipped with a classic analogue console, vintage hardware and extremely accurate monitoring. Once professionally mixed, your mixes will stand up against any production.

In the last 20 years I’ve mixed over 2000 songs. Genres range from Opera, to Black Metal, and everything in between (please see credits) I’ve been lucky enough to have my mixes featured in Films, TV and Radio. My experience and depth of knowledge of production will help take your mixes to a level you never thought possible.

Over the past 10 years, my reputation has grown as a Metal engineer/Producer. Bands travel from all over NZ to work with me at my studio in Wellington, The Armoury. Bands include: Black Metal (Bulletbelt), Technical Death Metal (Organecktomy, Carnal, Blindfolded & Led to The Woods, Athenic, Order of Diptera), Thrash Metal (Red Dawn), Progressive Metal (Intergracia) and Heavy Metal (Suppression).

Every band, song, tracking session, amp, drum kit and vocal is unique, making each mix different. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the contacts page to talk directly about your upcoming mix.

LISTEN

For any inquiries please contact me via the form below, and giving me as much information as possible. I’m more than happy to talk about your project and I’ll most likely suggest a coffee at The Armoury.