Behind the Magic: The Story of Chris Collins (AKA The Wizard)

 The Story of Chris Collins (AKA The Wizard)

Akathewizard | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree links to his music, and all platforms go check it out with more offline content and behind the scenes

When you think of a wizard, you might picture a bearded sorcerer conjuring spells. In the music world, however, a wizard wields soundboards and plugins, crafting audio magic that turns songs into sonic masterpieces. Meet Chris Collins,

aka The Wizard: recording artist, mix engineer, producer, and the driving force behind Sonic Alley Studios. Based in Canada, Chris is not just a master of music but a storyteller with a life that reads like a Hollywood script.

From Small Beginnings to Big Dreams

Born as the youngest of three, Chris grew up in a household where talent was abundant, but his knack for excelling stood out. He shined in both academics and sports, earning honor rolls and playing varsity football as early as grade 7. Yet, his teen years were a whirlwind of live performances, missteps, and hard lessons.

For five years, Chris found himself entangled in the world of drugs—not just using but dealing at parties. By the time he was 20, he faced a transformative moment: his first child was born prematurely, weighing only 1lb 6oz. Watching his child fight for life from an incubator matured Chris overnight, sparking a desire to leave his troubled past behind and build a better future.

Fast forward to today, and Chris is a proud father of four thriving teens who are carving their own paths—far from his early missteps.

A Sonic Journey: Building a Career in Music

Chris’s musical path wasn’t a straight line but a determined climb. After college, where he trained on top-tier analog gear in a million-dollar studio, he built his own mini-pro studio at home. Using guidance from acoustics experts, Chris transformed his basement into a hub for creativity.

For six years, he recorded local talent, ranging from Spanish Christian bands to rappers and vocalists. Burnout led him to step back and reevaluate. That pause proved pivotal. A collaboration with long-time friend Lil White Lie reignited his passion, and together they forged a music family, crafting tracks, shooting videos, and building a legacy.

The Magic of Mixing

Today, Chris is best known for his mixing prowess. His ability to enhance and elevate tracks has made him the go-to engineer for Lil White Lie and others. Whether hip-hop, rock, or pop, Chris approaches every project with precision and creativity.

His studio setup reflects his expertise: a Pro Tools native rig, a Focus rite interface, custom-built amplifiers, and a collection of mics that cover every recording scenario. But it’s not just the gear—it’s the ear. Chris’s years of training on analog gear have given him a knack for creating that “analog warmth” digitally, blending the best of both worlds into what he calls “synthentic sound.”

Beyond the ConsoleD 

What sets Chris apart isn’t just technical skill; it’s his holistic approach to music production. From mixing and mastering to arranging music video shoots and coordinating album artwork, Chris operates like a one-man record label. His process is both meticulous and collaborative, ensuring that artists leave not only with polished tracks but with renewed confidence in their craft.

Lessons, Inspiration, and a Vision for the Future

Chris’s journey has been shaped by mentors like Dan Brodbeck and Moe Berg, and inspired by legends like Chris Lord-Alge and Warren Huart. Yet, he also draws inspiration from independent creators on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, proving that the music community is as much about mutual respect as it is about competition.

When asked about his career’s biggest misconceptions, Chris chuckles: “People think it’s easy until they try it themselves. Then they hire me!” His advice for aspiring clients? Be serious, be prepared, and be ready to grow.

The Promise of The Wizard

Chris doesn’t just deliver mixes—he delivers transformations. With over 100 tracks to his name, he’s been called “the anarchist of the music industry” for his unconventional yet highly effective approach.

So, whether it’s crafting a love song, building a banging hip-hop beat, or mastering a track with Hollywood-level precision, Chris Collins is proof that wizardry isn’t about wands and potions—it’s about passion, perseverance, and the power of music.

If you’re ready to take your sound to the next level, The Wizard is waiting to cast his spell.