At a young age of 9, David began playing trumpet and continued with it from primary grade school through middle and high schools.  During his high school days (1992-1996) he was trumpet section leader(‘95-96) and received many awards in different types of music.  He played in marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz band all of which he earned awards for solos he performed. In 1994, he began teaching himself electric guitar practicing sometimes for 2-3 hours a day and eventually made a few appearances playing guitar for the indoor drumline.

Transition: Trumpet to Guitar

In 1997, he purchased his first bass guitar and began teaching himself, again practicing daily specifically trying to mimic tone and techniques heard on smooth jazz radio.  Shortly after that, he began playing bass in the orchestra for both services at his church in Riverside, CA where he still plays today.  A year after the church added the new “contemporary” service on Saturday night (Saturday Night Alive), he played bass guitar and a few times drums.  During this time he briefly played Electric Guitar with a group still around called “The Heymakers” and even laid down tracks for their first demo CD.  David has played bass guitar under the direction of O.D. Hall Jr. in orchestra and for the contemporary services lead by Brad Shearer, Travis Collins, and Steve Brown (who is currently leading the service).

Transition: Guitar to Recording Arts

It was about 1997 when David purchased his first multi-tracking piece of gear; a Fostex X77 which was a 4-track cassette tape recorder.  He quickly delved into the digital realm with a Lexicon Core2 (4in 8out) digital sound card, then MOTU gear (2408, 24i, and 1224).  Today, 12 years later the interest has not subsided and currently uses ProTools as his recording/editing backbone with many interfaces.  Over the years he has recorded rock bands, choirs, orchestras, and individuals seeking to record their performances.  He has worked with publishers, music directors, and individuals on post-production as well has content for live venues (click tracks, etc.)

Transition: Recording Arts to Live Sound Reinforcement

In 2006, David took on the role as tech director at his church in Riverside learning all there is to know about live sound reinforcement; which was similar in ways to recording but quite different in other ways.  The most information he received and took on came from the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement manual but learned also from seminars hosted by Meyers Sound.  He chose, purchased, and installed the church’s first digital board giving 64 inputs and 64 outputs to the churches growing sound reinforcement needs.  In addition he purchased some SM57‘s which, up to that time, were not in the inventory (You have to have SM57’s, right?).  He’s run sound for the live orchestra he was playing bass with and has also run sound many times for the contemporary service. He’s run live sound for many other venues including live sound for solo artists.  In 2008, he stepped down from that position but is still very active in running live sound and making live sound decisions (pun intended).