I am a sound Engineer and Musicologist with more than 10 years of expierence. I´ve worked in more than 100 live recordings; that make me elaborate a recording methodology and of course a mixing methodology too. Most of those recordings are of acoustic music, Jazz, Folk and of course some Pop, Rock and Hip Hop music.
We can Mix in Stereo or Binaural format, that´s you choise.
I love very natural- warm mix. My favourite processors are harmonic distortion to give texture to sound (Tape distortion, etc). It´s very interesting too, to give presence to some elements in the mix using Haas effect. In the mixes for acoustic music I like to use little amount of compression, only just necessary.
But if the mix you are looking for, needs to be more agresive with elements in the face, we can add a lot of compression and/or parallel compression (as known as the New York Compression trick).
The success in the work we are about to start lies in comunication. I like to work with as much references as possible, in that way I would complement your art with my ears.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Interview with Juan Pablo Castillo Croes
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: In this moment I´m working in my home studio, all in the box, DAW Pro tools and Logic Pro X, full Waves plugins, Izotope, Plugin Alliance and Sound Toys.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog for recording. Because Warm of its sound. Digital for Editing. Because the versatility of this format. Analog and Digital for Mixing. Because there are a lot of interestings tools in both formats. Analog for Mastering. Because the color you can give to sound and power up the output level
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A handheld recorder with edit option and a lot of memory. A windshield. Headphones. Rechargeables batteries. Solar Charger.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is the goal of your music? On which platform do you plan to publish your music? How are you looking to sound? What are the musical references you have for your music? What are you looking for with your music?
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have 12 years of experience in sound Engineering. Since a was a child I studied music in conservatory so I was related to music all my life. I started 12 years ago as boom operator and sound engineer assistant in a production company in my Home town Caracas- Venezuela. At the same time I was studying audio at Escuela Superior de Audio y Acústica. Then I started working in a cultural center named Ateneo de Caracas for 3 years as audio engineer for music and theater presentations. After this experience I was Sound Engineer and technical director at Guataca Nights during 4 years. At this time I started to do Live Recordings and mixing those recordings in the studio of the university where I studied Musicology. After this period I have been working freelance with a lot of music groups. One year ago I came to Mexico City and worked in a musical reality show named La Academia at Tv Azteca as RF assistant, system assistant and FOH assistant.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: A very Natural, harmonic and warm but well defined sound. I like to feel sound embrace me, I like to experience the possibility of immerse myself in the mixing. I like to play a lot with sound planes, not only at the horizontal plane but the deep plane. To achieve this it is necessary to respect the dynamic range.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: It´s very important to verify our mixes in every device we have, not only in our studio monitors but headphones, smartphones, tv, inclusive our kitchen radio. At this times, poeple are hearing music in their smartphones or headphones, most of times in devices with very poor sound quality, for that reason is important to check out our mixes in those devices too.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Because my experience in the world of mixing live recordings, is with no doubt, corrective and/or susbtractive EQ.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: The most common type of work I do for my clients are Live recording and mixing those recordings. Some times I do Mastering too, but not always.
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $150 per song
- EditingAverage price - $40 per track
- Podcast Editing & MasteringAverage price - $75 per podcast
- Post MixingAverage price - $75 per minute
- RestorationAverage price - $75 per hour
- Live SoundAverage price - $200 per concert
To contract the service, an advance payment is required to be agreed, as a minimum of 30% of the total work.
- Cesária Evora
- Stromae
- Massive Attack
- All in the box
- home studio
Get extra discounts depending on the amount of work to be done.
