Mixing, Mastering & Production

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First and foremost, I begin by thoroughly understanding what the client is looking for by diving deep into the aesthetic, emotional, and creative goals of the track. I believe this is one of the most critical aspects of any mix and master project. Having clarity on the desired outcome not only saves time but ensures I’m delivering a final product that truly reflects the artist’s vision. Secondly, I approach every project with a strong sense of organization. This includes detailed labeling, a clean session layout with well-defined edits, a streamlined and easy-to-follow effects chain, and clear notes on any creative decisions that might impact the overall feel of the track. This structured workflow allows for smooth revisions, transparent communication, and consistency throughout the process. Thirdly, during the session, I pay close attention to the decisions the client has already made—understanding the intention behind them and the kind of character they’re aiming for. My goal is to preserve those creative choices while also offering suggestions that could further enhance the mix, especially in areas like dynamics, clarity, and balance. It’s always a collaborative effort to elevate the track while staying true to the artist’s original intent.

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

A: Nacor Zuluaga 🙌 He's been a mentor to me and has a very kind and professional approach. He geniunely believes in helping artists and supporting them as much as possible. I would highly recommend him!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: To make sure I fully understand the client’s vision and deliver exactly what they want, I usually ask: 1. What is the overall mood or vibe you want the final track to convey? 2. Are there any reference tracks or artists whose sound you’re aiming for? 3. Which elements in the mix are most important to highlight or stand out? 4. Are there any specific parts you want me to pay extra attention to or treat differently? 5. What’s your preferred timeline and how many revisions do you expect? 6. How much of my creative input would you like me to add to your project? 7. Is this track part of a larger project or standalone? These questions help me tailor my approach to fit the client’s creative goals and workflow preferences.

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

A: One project I’m especially proud of is my debut album MERAKI. It’s a deeply personal body of work that showcases not just my technical skills as a mixing and mastering engineer, but also my creative identity as an artist. I handled everything from songwriting and arrangement to production, mixing, and mastering. Meraki blends a wide range of genres including House, Afrobeat, Jazz, Orchestral, Future Bass, Hindustani Fusion, and more, while maintaining a cohesive sound that reflects my evolution as a musician. Each track is crafted to express a different part of myself, and the album as a whole represents a new chapter in my life, both personally and professionally. This project pushed me to explore new creative territories and refine my workflow from both an artistic and technical standpoint. It’s a reflection of my love for storytelling through sound, and one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had as a music creator.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I choose digital, because in today’s world, digital tools have become incredibly powerful, flexible, and transparent. The quality of plugins and digital processing has advanced to a point where I can achieve results that rival analog gear, while also giving me the ability to work from anywhere. Whether I’m in my studio or on the move, I can deliver high-quality mixes and masters without being limited by location.

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

A: My promise is to treat every project with the same level of care, attention, and respect as I would my own music. I take the time to understand your creative vision and make sure the final product reflects that, while also offering suggestions that can take your track to the next level. I aim for clear communication, a smooth and organized workflow, and a final result that not only meets expectations, but often exceeds them. Your satisfaction and the emotional impact of the music always come first.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I enjoy most is helping artists bring their vision to life. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about taking a rough mix or an unfinished idea and turning it into something polished, powerful, and emotionally impactful. I also love the variety, every track is different, every artist has their own story and sound, and that keeps the process exciting and creatively stimulating.

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

A: Here are some of the most common questions I get: 1. Can you make my track sound like _____ (Artist/Song) ? Absolutely, I always ask for reference tracks to understand the sound and vibe you’re aiming for. That helps me shape the mix or master to align with your creative vision while still preserving the unique character of your music. I’ll never try to copy, but I aim to match the feeling, clarity, depth, and punch that you admire in those tracks. 2. How many revisions are included? I usually offer 3–5 rounds of revisions for minor adjustments and always aim to get as close as possible in the first version by asking detailed questions upfront. That said, I like to keep this flexible, especially with long-term clients or when an ongoing relationship is established. For me, the goal is to make sure you’re happy with the final result. 3. Can you add your own production sense or ideas to enhance my song ? Yes! I’ve done this for many clients in the past, whether it’s adding textures, reharmonizing sections, tightening arrangements, or offering creative production suggestions to elevate the track. That said, since this goes beyond standard mixing/mastering, it does come at an additional cost. I'm always happy to discuss the scope based on your needs and find a solution that works for both of us.

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

A: A major misconception is the idea of “fix it in the mix.” A mix engineer can only enhance what’s already there, the true potential of a track lies in the production itself: the arrangement, sound choices, and performances. I always encourage artists to get those aspects right first and not place unrealistic expectations on the mix alone to “save” a weak production.

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

A: My advice would be to clearly communicate your vision and expectations from the very beginning. The more detail you can share about the style, mood, and final goal of your track, the better I can tailor the mix and master to suit your needs. Also, be open to collaboration and trust the expertise of the professional you hire, mixing and mastering engineers bring valuable perspectives that can elevate your music. Finally, choose someone whose style and previous work resonate with you, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or request for references.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Haha here's what I would take with me: Laptop - The heart of my setup for producing, mixing, and arranging. Audio Interface - To connect microphones or instruments and maintain sound quality. A good pair of studio headphones - For accurate monitoring without needing a full studio setup. A MIDI controller - To play melodies, chords, and beats with hands-on control. A condenser microphone - For recording vocals or acoustic sounds to add organic elements. I personally love the TLM 103.

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

A: I’ve been producing music since I was 10 years old, starting with self-released compositions that allowed me to develop my unique sound and production skills over the years. Alongside my personal projects, I gained professional experience composing music for brands and campaigns while working as a Music Director at D&H Blurb, an advertisement agency. I hold a Music Production Certificate from the Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication, and a Bachelor's degree in Sound Engineering at Catalyst Music (Funkhaus Studios) in Berlin, Germany. This combination of hands-on experience and formal education has given me a strong foundation in both the creative and technical aspects of music production, mixing, and mastering.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is direct and focused, I prioritize delivering exactly what the client envisions while also bringing creative ideas to the table that can elevate the composition. I believe in balancing clarity and efficiency with thoughtful enhancements that add depth and emotion, making sure the final result feels both polished and true to the artist’s vision.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would love to work with FKJ (French Kiwi Juice) and Zedd. FKJ’s understanding of music and dynamics is extraordinary, his mixing and recording decisions always serve the emotion of the track so well. He has a remarkable sense of harmony, which plays a huge role in how he voices instruments and creates space for each element to breathe, especially when it comes to dynamics. Zedd, on the other hand, is a master at crafting polished, high-energy productions that balance complexity with accessibility. His attention to detail in both sound design and arrangement has had a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always have a clear understanding of which elements in your track should be highlighted and which ones are there to support the composition. This helps prevent overwhelming the listener by asking them to focus on too many things at once, allowing the most important parts to truly stand out.

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

A: I specialize in electronic music genres such as House, Dance, Drum & Bass, Trance, Techno, IDM, and Glitch Hop, among others. However, I also have extensive experience working with a variety of other styles, including R&B, Soul, Pop, Jazz, Rock, Rap & Hip-hop. This diverse background allows me to adapt my approach to suit the unique character and energy of each project.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is my attention to detail combined with well-trained ears. This allows me to identify subtle nuances and imperfections that can make a big difference in the final mix or master. I’m able to hear and balance intricate elements in a track to create clarity, depth, and cohesion, ensuring the music sounds polished and professional while fully honoring the artist’s vision.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: With over 15 years of ear training and experience in music production, mixing, and mastering, I bring a deep understanding of how to shape a track so that it communicates its emotional and artistic intent clearly. My focus is always on achieving clarity, enhancing depth, and maintaining a well-balanced dynamic range. I pay close attention to the elements that carry emotional weight in a composition, whether that’s a vocal phrase, a melodic motif, or a rhythmic groove and work to make those elements shine in the mix. At the same time, I’m highly attentive to the artist’s creative direction, ensuring that my technical decisions support the feeling and message they’re aiming to convey. My goal is to bring out the full potential of a track, both technically and emotionally.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I mostly work digitally, but I have access to the prestigious Funkhaus Studios in Berlin. This gives me the ability to use equipment such as the SSL Origin, Audient 8024 24 channel analogue desk with automation – 48 channels on mixdown, Trident 88 Classic 24 channel analogue desk, numerous control surfaces for mixing with DAW. Speakers such as - Kirsch Audio SQ8, HEDD Audio Type 30, HEDD Audio Type 20, HEDD Audio Type 07, HEDD Audio Type 05, Yamaha NS10, Eve Audio, ADAM, PSI Audio. And Studio Hardware like the SPL Iron Mastering Compressor, Aurora Audio GTP 8 Mic Pre, Universal Audio LA-610 MkII, Smart Research C1 Bus Compressor, Empirical Lab EL8x DISTRESSOR, DBX 160 A, Drawmer DL441, SPL Transient Designer, Kush Audio Electra, TC Electronic Firework, plus 20 different bookable hardware FX.

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

A: I'm deeply inspired by a diverse range of artists and producers whose work blends musicality, innovation, and emotional depth, artists like FKJ, Zedd, Tom Misch, Ian Kirkpatrick, Skrillex, Deadmau5, Haywyre, FINNEAS, Mr. Bill, Martin Garrix, Brasstracks, Masego, Thundercat, Kaytranada, Quincy Jones, and Charlie Puth, to name a few. On the technical side, I've had the privilege of learning from Ciaran O'Shea, a seasoned engineer who has worked in prestigious studios such as Sound City (L.A.) and Park Gates Studios (UK), and has collaborated with industry legends including Sylvia Massy (Tool, Prince). I’ve also studied under Phelan Kane, a renowned producer, engineer, sound designer, and Ableton Certified Trainer, whose work spans collaborations with Radiohead, FKA twigs, Depeche Mode, and UNKLE. His expertise in sound innovation, modular synthesis, and advanced production workflows has had a profound impact on my approach to mixing, mastering, and music creation.

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

A: I primarily work as a Mixing & Mastering Engineer for clients on SoundBetter, helping bring their vision to life with precision and clarity. Previously, I served as the Music Director at D&H Blurb, an advertising agency, where I was responsible for writing, composing, and producing complete musical compositions tailored to brand narratives and campaign goals. Alongside client projects, I also pursue my own artistic endeavors under the name ANEESH CHENGAPPA now rebranded to ORIMUS, where I explore a diverse range of genres and sounds as a producer, composer, and artist.