I have a passion, bordering on unhealthy obsession, for creating new audio effects. I approach algorithms from a psychoacoustics perspective: The neatest math in the world doesn't make a difference if it doesn't sound good, and physical "reality" is not nearly as important as creating the impression of sounds that are bigger and better than the "real world." My work is grounded in a deep appreciation and analysis of the analog and digital techniques of the past, combined with the confidence that I can come up with new techniques that draw upon the old, yet extend it into new directions of awesome. I tend to keep one foot in the academic world of "computer music," and the other foot in the world of commercial recording tools, stomp boxes, rack mount gear, what have you. If it sounds good, I will learn how it works.

My earliest work was with analog circuitry, learning how to create different effects boxes for guitar. My theoretical knowledge ended up quickly surpassing my soldering skills, so I moved over to digital techniques in 1998-1999, taking a year long course in computer music at the University of Washington. I primarily worked in Csound at the time, and developed a number of algorithms that continue to influence my work today - emulations of analog frequency shifters, new filters, and time-varying reverberators.

I joined a small startup company in 1999 (Staccato Systems) that was developing physical models for video games, and spent way too much time working on car engine sounds. Fortunately, I worked with some real geniuses at Staccato Systems, who shared my passion for novel audio techniques. In 2001, Staccato Systems was purchased by Analog Devices, where I spent the next 6 years working on audio algorithms and development tools for the SHARC and Blackfin DSPs. Starting in 2007, I struck out as a consultant, developing a wide variety of (mostly) interesting audio algorithms for a several clients.

Today, I have returned to my original goal of creating innovative audio effects for creative musicians. The first plugin, ValhallaFreqEcho, came out during the spring of 2009. A bunch of commercial plugins are coming up soon. Stay tuned.