Latin Drums & Perc Specialist

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I spend most of my time in the studio, producing and recording music for global clients. I also enjoy creating educational content, such as instructional videos, to help others learn and grow.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Jose Juvinao (bass), Daniel Uribe (guitar), Daniel Cortés (mixing)

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I believe both analog and digital have their benefits, and it's about using them to serve the music.

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

A: My promise to my clients is that I will fully commit to their song, dedicating myself to taking it to the highest level possible.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: One of the things I love most is being able to make a living doing what I've always been passionate about: music. And I'm grateful to be able to help my clients bring their musical dreams to life.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: The most common questions I get asked are: 'Are you available to record?' and 'Would you like to record on my song?' And my answer is always: Yes!

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

A: One common misconception is that people assume I'm only capable of playing Latin music, such as cumbia or salsa, simply because of my cultural background. However, my experience and versatility extend far beyond that. I've had the opportunity to work on a wide range of genres, including rock, country, pop, and music from various countries, and I'm proud to say that I've never been confined to a single style.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: To guarantee a clear understanding of the client's vision, I always ask questions like: What kind of sound would you like for your song? Do you have any references, such as a YouTube video or a Spotify track? Should I strictly follow your programmed drum track, or do you want me to have the freedom to propose alternative ideas?

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

A: Clarity is key. With numerous options for sounds, styles, and languages, clear instructions and demo track will help achieve the best results.

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

A: From a young age, I was drawn to music. I'd attend my dad's hobby band rehearsals and realized I loved music. At eleven, I joined my school's music group and also a symphony orchestra, where I learned to read music and developed my skills. Later, at seventeen, I traveled to Cuba to study the country's rhythms, but ironically, I fell in love with Colombian music. After three years, I returned to Colombia, traveled all the country and studied traditional music, while also exploring jazz, pop, rock, and world music. At twenty-one, I moved to Medellín, joined local groups and a ballet company, and toured extensively throughout Europe, the US, and the Americas. Years later, I grew tired of touring and became fascinated with recording studios. I fell in love with studios, having recorded in every major studio in the city, until I decided to build my own, where I've worked for almost ten years.

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

A: Growing up in the 80s and starting my music career in the 90s, I never wanted to be a drummer confined to a single genre. From the beginning, I played in a symphony orchestra, rock and reggae garage bands, and Latin music ensembles, all at the same time. I never had preconceptions, and to me, music was always just music. Later, I studied in Cuba, specializing in Latin rhythms, and then returned to Colombia to study the music of my country. However, I've always been a fan of rock, jazz, R&B, pop, and all African-American music. With my own studio, I've always taken on the challenge of playing different genre and enjoy taking on diverse projects, exploring new sounds, and staying current with the latest music trends.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I'd say versatility, creativity and commitment to serving the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Initially, I like to listen to the song and have a conversation with the artist or producer to fully understand their vision, the desired sound, and any specific requirements. I can also share my expertise to help reach a mutual understanding. Next, I prefer to receive a couple of tracks: one with the full instrumental and vocal arrangement without drums, and another with the programmed drums and/or percussion, if available. If not, it's not a problem. Then, I'll start sending MP3 files for the producer and artist to review, allowing them to provide feedback on the sound and approach I'm taking. If any changes are needed, I'm happy to make adjustments until they're satisfied. Finally, I'll deliver a Pro Tools session with all the individual audio tracks.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio was built from the ground up on my own property, giving us the opportunity to design it with the ideal height and space. With a ceiling height of 4 meters and a total area of 60 square meters, we can achieve a big, expansive drum sound. However, with the use of panels, I can also dial in a tighter, more controlled sound. I have a variety of drum kits, numerous percussion instruments, multiple snare drums, and cymbal sets. Being sponsored by various brands also means I'm fortunate to have access to top-notch equipment.

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

A: I specialize in creating custom drum/percussion tracks and recordings. I work almost every day in my studio, which is conveniently located just 20 meters from my home. This setup enables me to deliver rapid turnaround times for recordings. After years of touring, I've scaled back my live performances and now focus on recording for clients worldwide from the comfort of my own studio.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Modern, creative and tasteful.

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I´m so proud about everything I've done, but mostly the work of my own bands, where I participated as a composer, drummer, percussionist and producer.