Mixing & Mastering Engineer

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

A: The project was with a band from Peru called Reverb Chamber. I first worked on an album for them which was my first project as a producer, mixing and mastering engineer. Over time we both grew and now we are working on an EP, with a much more professional sound and on their side, with a better defined identity. I love working with them because there is a lot of understanding and the relationship has been growing in a professional way. I am very proud of my work on their latest songs, both as producer and sound engineer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Currently I work in audio post production, mixing and mastering for advertising, but in my free time I continue working as a mixing and mastering engineer for independent artists. I also have my personal project where I make electronic music and play live sets.

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

A: I know the work of amazing mastering engineers like Aldo Gilardi (Hitmakers Mastering), Nacho de la Riega and Andres Mayo. I highly recommend their work.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Over time I have come to realize that both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you can work with one or the other and have excellent results. In the end what counts is your ear and experience.

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

A: My promise is that they will leave satisfied with the work I give them. I work with a no revision limit policy so that we can reach the expected result.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love working with sound. It gives me a lot of satisfaction when I know I'm doing a good job and when my clients leave happy. The moment in which I compare the first unmixed version with the final work makes me very happy because of the level I usually give it.

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

A: There is no specific question they ask me, normally if they hire me, they know what sound I handle. I could say that what most people ask me about is my turnaround times and if I do a price for a number of songs.

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

A: Normally people who don't know what mixing and mastering is all about think it's an easy job, that it's just moving knobs, pushing buttons and that by doing that it's going to sound good. But obviously it's more than that, it's listening, it's contributing and above all, it's respecting the artist's vision.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: First I usually ask them what they are looking for in general. From there I go deeper into it and ask about their musical tastes, from there I can get their inspirations and references.

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

A: I would recommend that we have a short conversation to see if we can both align to the main idea of the project. I am always honest with my clients based on their ideas, I know what I am capable of and it is very important to me that they can trust me.

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

A: First of all, my laptop, where I have my DAW to work everything. Then some good headphones, in this case the Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro. If it's specifically gear I have to bring, it would be a Manley Massive Passive Eq, API 2500+, Black Box Analog Design HG-2, Teletronix LA-2A and Pultec EQP-1A.

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

A: I started making electronic music when I was 17 years old and a year later I went to Buenos Aires to study music production and sound engineering. That's where I learned most of the things I know how to do. With time and experience I managed to get new clients with whom I work regularly. I've been doing this for about 7 years in an amateur way and in a professional way for about 5 years since I graduated as a music producer and sound engineer.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is more experimental. Normally when I work I usually follow the standards to achieve a hi fi sound, but I always try to give it that different touch, experimenting with unusual processes.

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

A: I like to work with all kinds of artists who have an open vision to suggestions and who have creativity, because at that moment, the idea becomes the main objective and the ego is left aside on both sides.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Never hold on to an idea. You always have to be in constant change, because from the change you get out of that comfort and that's where new ideas appear, which are usually the most creative and innovative from my point of view and experience.

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

A: I usually work with electronic music, from house, techno, electro, but I always get clients who work with a more indie sound. It can be rock, pop, shoegaze and even trap in some cases.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill would be mixing. It is what I do most every day and I have been able to develop a good level, which is competitive in the market. I'm always researching new technologies, new plugins, new techniques in order to keep growing and strengthening my skills.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: First of all, quality. It is essential to have a high level to be able to have a good product as an artist. I also don't want to leave my personal touch aside. I have a lot of inspiration from the experimental side, so I can bring ideas that are a bit out of the ordinary to elevate the sound of each project.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First I like to interview the artist, asking them questions about their vision of what they want to achieve. Then I like to listen to references with him and have a conversation where we both contribute to the final vision of the project. Then I start with the mix, I like to order the session first, have the right volumes, panning and from there I start with the mix itself. From there I send versions to the artist to get feedback and get closer to the final product.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I usually work “in the box” with high quality plug ins, like UAD, Plugin Alliance, Soundtoys, Fabfilter, etc.

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

A: I am a big fan of Brian Eno. I am very inspired by all his work and contribution to music. I also admire Thom Yorke and David Byrne as musicians and composers. On the other side, I like the work Steve Albini did as a sound engineer, I'm also a fan of Sylvia Massy, Alan Moulder, Tchad Blake, etc.

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

A: Most of the time I work as a mixing engineer. I usually work hand in hand with the client to achieve their idea and it is important to have some confidence in order to get the best results.