OUR TEAM

TIM SMITH
FOUNDER / OWNER

Tim’s first instrument was the trumpet at age 9, moving onto to the drums at age 11. Shortly after at age 15, Tim scored his first recording contract with Pair of Jacks Records while playing with one of his childhood bands, Paddlefish. The band released two albums (Something Fishy & Dredlochness) both were received well locally however had very little success on a national level. In 1997 Tim gave birth to, what would later open many doors pushing him into the national spotlight, 2 Phat & the Family Funktion. It was here that Tim took his shot at fronting his own group rather than sitting at the back of the stage. Over the next ten years, the band released five albums under the self-launched label, House Phunk Records. During live performances, Tim handled lead vocals & percussion, although on the studio recordings he also performed the drums & turntables. In 2005 & 2006 the band was nominated in several Detroit Music Awards categories.

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Tommy Porter
ENGINEER

Tommy began playing guitar at age 8. From middle school through high school he played in numerous garage bands, sang in the choir and excelled in the jazz ensemble. Tommy’s passion for music production as a teenager prompted him to assemble his first makeshift recording studio in his parent’s basement. This new creative space allowed him the opportunity to track and mix not only his own personal projects but an array of local artists as well.

It wasn’t long before he enrolled at Wayne State University where he studied music technology and jazz guitar. Shortly after he found himself participating at the school’s TV station (airs on PBS), the schools radio station (which is partnered with WDET), and at the DSO for WSU’s “Mondays at the Max” showcase events. Aside from engineering at The Soundscape, Tommy can be found performing on various stages throughout the metro Detroit area.

Kyle Saloka
STUDIO TECH / ENGINEER

Kyle’s musical journey began with the bass at age 6 and the guitar at age 12. By age 10, he found himself as the front-of-the-house engineer for his father’s band. It was here that Kyle cut his teeth learning the value of getting great results with limited equipment.

“…I didn’t have access to compressors so as a result, I learned a lot about riding faders, to this day I tend to use very little compression when I’m tracking as well.”

In addition to his solid background in live sound & studio engineering, Kyle also has experience as a Studio Tech. In 2019 he spent some time building a guitar amp with Bruce Egnator. Aside from engineering sessions, Kyle handles all of The Soundscape’s technical gear repairs and installations. In 2017, Kyle graduated from Soundscape Studio & School for the Recording Arts. Musical influences include The Beatles, Rush, Supertramp & Radiohead to name a few.