Sonic Alchemy Studios

Editing, Mixing & Mastering

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6 Reviews (3 Verified)
Sonic Alchemy Studios on SoundBetter

Hi, my name is Stephen Gyves and I am here to help you sound better. There are two threads of passion in my life; sound and quality. I am here to bring both to you. I really try to give people the best of what they ask for! Let's make great tracks!!

I provide quality remote mixing and producing services and specialize in vocal comping and tuning.

• Do you have tracks you just want mixed up?
• Do you want vocal pitch correction?
• Would you like some editing done?
• Do you need finishing touches on your song or release?

I see every project as a chance to really make something wonderful happen. Hits are unknown until they are released! Send me your tracks exactly the way you want them arranged, or tell me to have at them and get creative. I’ll be as involved as you’d like me to be but, but in all cases, I will place my heart into making your material sound as golden as possible. I really have a strong affinity for the art of sound and I am ready to bring that passion to your material.

The projects I have done are for the most part academic using actual raw unprocessed stems from hit songs that have been released. While I am not the actual release engineer, those works can be compared to the real releases for your judgement. I have a few bluegrass songs under my belt professionally but need the chance to bring more magic to real clients. I have many other work samples I can share with you if you contact me. Much like hits being undiscovered until they are known, my talent will go undiscovered until someone gives me the chance. Let's make it happen for both of us!

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

6 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

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  1. Review by Bav
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    by Bav
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    Stephen fixed a problem I was having with a track that was driving me insane, and in a matter of minutes too. Hero.

  2. Review by Charlie R.
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    Stephen was brilliant in comping, tuning, and processing my vocal tracks! An absolutely brilliant engineer. Thank you so much Stephen!

  3. Review by Charlie R.
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    Stephen did another great job producing my vocal tracks! Such a pleasure to work with, can't rate him highly enough. Thanks once again Stephen!

  4. Review by Charlie R.
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    Stephen did a great job producing my vocal tracks! Great communication and a super fast turn-around meant that Stephen was a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended to all. Thanks Stephen!

  5. Review by Travis Thompson
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    by Travis Thompson

    Stephen is a great joy to work with. His attitude is positive and his passion for audio engineering is bar none!

  6. Review by Steve Wetherbee - Golden Tracks Studio
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    by Steve Wetherbee - Golden Tracks Studio

    Stephen is awesome to have at our studio. Great passion for what he does and is always a positive energy to all. Looking forward to working with him on many more projects.

Interview with Sonic Alchemy Studios

  1. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  2. A: Who are your inspirations? Do you have a message you want to send to the world? What are your goals as an artist? What is your timeline? What is the goal of your project? Who are your listeners?

  3. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  4. A: Just come talk to me and give me a chance. I am a really friendly guy who will give you a reasonable deal on some really, really great sounding tracks.

  5. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  6. A: Rock, pop, metal, country, bluegrass and reggae. Nearly no limits.

  7. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  8. A: At home I have a very modest setup where I can do all the needed tweaking and editing of most tracks. I then bring my projects to a world-class facility here in Escondido California. Golden Track Studios for final tuning. There I can finish up outstanding bass tuning and mixes that are sure to translate well across all environments. It's fantastic!

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: I love the opportunity to create an experience through sound. To have a sense for something and realize it through sound. I have also always been a really technically inclined person who loves technology and science has always been a passion. Finally, music has always been a passion as well. So when you take all of these things and fuse them together in the activity of sound production, it seems it would be something I was born to do. I cannot imagine another thing that intrigues me more.

  11. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  12. A: I often write lyrics and mix some of my own work for fun. Or I work with a friend who likes to compose as well....making music and having fun. Also working on film score composition...thinking I have a mind for that.

  13. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  14. A: I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that this practice is solely about technical knowledge or having specific gear. I believe it is about continuously practicing, often failing many times, thereby honing a skill to recognize the wrong ways as well as those which are right no matter what tools you use to do it. I often find that I don't need too many tools to get the right things done unless I am getting really creative.

  15. Q: How would you describe your style?

  16. A: I try to go into everything without any preconceptions. Once I am hearing things within the project, then my skills begin to speak to me and present options. I try to keep things very special for each song. I also like to retain a lot of the dynamics. It is always the artists discretion, but I will always provide multiple versions with different levels of 'hotness' (possibly on various individual tracks as well) for review.

  17. Q: What's your typical work process?

  18. A: I start by listening both to the client and the material to get a feel for the vibe of the song. Following that, a bit of Q&A then off I go to make things sound great! If you want details about that, I kind of have a general step-by-step process I use to get a mix dialed in to the point to where all I am focused on is bringing the life, energy and artist intent to the surface. Before I am done, I typically hear the track (mostly in parts) well over 100 times. During that process, I am looking for things to keep the listener engaged with the music. I use my emotions, consciousness, and science to arrive at my solutions. That is what I love about this work!

  19. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  20. A: Right now, I am fully digital because that is what currently makes the art viable for me. I have not had the funds to divert to the expensive outboard gear yet. Given the quality of DSP these days though, I might offer one to take the so-called 'Pepsi challenge' with some of the software out there today. So I don't see that as a problem. At some point, I'll probably use some of the outboard gear I have access to solve something. We'll see.

  21. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  22. A: My career path is still very much in progress. I have been mixing for about 8 years and have just completed a mentor-ship program called 'Learn From Legends' at Recording Radio and Film Connection in Los Angeles endorsed by Hans Zimmer and Dave Pensado. I worked with seasoned audio engineer Steve Wetherbee taking on many great habits a tricks of a true pro. This helped finish putting the professional touch on my skill set. Now I am trying to get it out there and show the world that I can make some great sounding music. Trying to be in the right places at the right time.

  23. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  24. A: A love and passion for the art of great sound with a merciless attention to detail that comes together in my projects.

  25. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  26. A: I promise to dedicate my very best to every project and apply my passion wholly. If I cannot make you happy, I won't make you pay.

  27. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  28. A: The most common kind of work I currently do is remote mixing. Taking session recorded audio tracks and polishing them up for final production. Many like to add effects and other production techniques to match the quality and flair of modern tracks of the target genre. I have also performed vocal pitch correction, comping of multiple takes, and audio editing projects as well.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  30. A: Mic up well, stay in time, and create great source material to work with. Do a lot of takes. Things can be helped out in the mix, but nothing replaces some well captured material.

  31. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  32. A: Definitely guys like Mastering Engineer Bob Ludwig and Mix Engineer Andrew Scheps inspire me. Graham Cochrane from the Recording Revolution. Fab Dupont from Puremix.com. Everyone who has helped me become a stronger mixer. People willing to share their secrets are the greatest!

  33. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  34. A: Impact and Cohesiveness. I find that the primary goal is to make everything have detail and punch, but still also come together in a way that makes everything sound cooperative. I can add a creative edge to the finishing touches on a song that keep the impact coming and the song fresh from start to finish.

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Jesus on the Run - Always With Me

I was the Mixing Engineer (Sample) in this production

Gear Highlights
  • Access to World-Class Studio 'Golden Tracks'
  • Pro Tools 12
  • Waves Products
  • Yamaha HS8
  • Audio Technica ATH-M50x
  • DBX-160A
  • Beyerdynamic DT770
  • AKG K 701
  • Sterling Audio ST55 Mic.
  • Westlake Monitors
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