
🎧 I help indie and Latin artists bring their songs to life with warm, clear, and punchy mixes & masters. I'm Fernando, a music producer and mixing/mastering engineer based in Lima, Peru. I specialize in indie rock, alt-pop, and Latin sounds, combining analog warmth with modern clarity. As the founder of Cactus Estudio, I offer full production se
I’m Fernando, music producer and mixing/mastering engineer based in Lima, Peru. I specialize in indie rock, alt-pop, and Latin music.
I started as a bassist and fell in love with the studio. Since 2019, I’ve worked with dozens of artists helping shape their sound from raw demos to final masters.
At my studio, Cactus Estudio, I offer full productions, remote mixing and mastering, always focused on clarity, warmth, and emotional impact.
My approach is artist-centered: I work closely with you to understand your vision and translate it into a powerful sonic result.
Whether you're releasing your first single or finishing an EP, I’ll help you reach the sound you’re dreaming of.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Interview with CactusMixMaster
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 a debut single I produced for a young indie rock band. They had the song written, but no idea how to bring it to life. I handled everything — from arranging and recording to mixing and mastering. We worked closely through every step, and seeing their reaction when they heard the final version was priceless. It was more than just a production — it helped them find their sound and identity as a band. That’s what I love most about this work: helping artists sound like who they really are.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Right now, I’m producing the debut single for an indie rock band — handling everything from arrangement to the final master. It’s an emotional track with vintage textures and a modern feel. I’m also focusing on expanding my mixing and mastering services to new international clients here on SoundBetter.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I’m always open to collaborating and discovering great talent. If a project needs something outside my skill set — like a specific vocalist, session player, or specialized producer — I’m happy to help the artist find the right person. I believe in teamwork and building songs together with the best people for the job.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I believe in using both — analog and digital — depending on what the song needs. Analog gives warmth, character, and a certain depth that’s hard to replicate. Digital offers precision, flexibility, and endless creative possibilities. I work with a hybrid setup so I can take the best from both worlds and serve the music first.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise is to treat every song with the same care and dedication as if it were my own. I will listen to your vision, respect your identity, and do everything I can to make your music sound honest, emotional, and professionally finished. You’ll be heard, supported, and guided — always.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: What I love most is helping artists turn their ideas into something real — something they can feel proud of. That moment when a mix clicks and the song suddenly feels alive — that’s priceless. I enjoy connecting with people through their music, understanding their story, and making sure it sounds honest and powerful. Every project is a chance to build something meaningful.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Client: “Can you make it sound like this reference?” Me: “Absolutely — references are great to guide the vibe, but I’ll always adapt it to fit your song’s identity and emotional core.” Client: “How many revisions do I get?” Me: “I offer up to 3 supervised revisions per stage (arrangement, recording, mixing, mastering) to make sure you're happy without losing momentum.” Client: “What’s the difference between mixing and mastering?” Me: “Mixing balances all the elements of your song (volume, EQ, space, effects), while mastering gives the final polish and ensures it sounds great on all platforms.”
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: One of the biggest misconceptions is thinking that mixing or mastering is just about applying presets, making things louder, or slapping on plugins. In reality, each song needs a unique approach. Good mixing is about emotional balance, space, dynamics, and tone. It takes time, sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the music’s message. My job isn’t just to make a song sound “better” — it’s to make it feel complete.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I usually ask: – What’s the story or feeling behind this song? – Do you have any reference tracks or artists in mind? – What’s your ideal final result — raw and intimate, polished and modern, vintage, etc.? – Are there any technical notes I should know (sample rate, tempo, vocal tuning needs)? – What’s your deadline and how do you prefer to communicate? These help me understand your vision so I can bring the best out of your song.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be clear about your vision, but stay open to collaboration. Share references — musical or emotional — so I can fully understand the vibe you're going for. When sending tracks for mixing or mastering, make sure your stems are clean, labeled, and organized. Always communicate your expectations, but trust the process — I’ll take care of the technical side so you can focus on the music. Timely feedback and good communication help us finish your song faster and better. Don’t be afraid to ask anything. This is your art, and I’m here to help it sound like you.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: If I were on a desert island, I’d take: My laptop with Cubase A pair of ADAM monitors My Warm Audio WA-47 microphone FabFilter Total Bundle A solar charger — because I wouldn’t stop producing, even there.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started as a bassist, but quickly fell in love with the recording studio and the creative process behind every song. In 2019, I co-founded my first studio, where I began producing and mixing full songs for local artists. After that experience, I built my own space — Cactus Estudio — a studio I personally designed to work with full creative freedom. I've been working professionally in music production, mixing, and mastering for over 5 years. Today, I work remotely with artists from all over Latin America and beyond, helping them shape their songs with warmth, clarity, and emotional depth.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: My style is warm, emotional, and honest. I aim for productions and mixes that feel alive — organic, dynamic, and rich in character. I combine vintage influences with modern tools to create a sound that connects deeply with the listener. Whether I’m producing or mixing, I always prioritize the feeling of the song above all.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I’d love to work with artists like Conociendo Rusia, Bandalos Chinos, Jorge Drexler, or Fito Páez — I deeply connect with their emotional songwriting and musical honesty. Internationally, I’m also inspired by artists like Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) and Phoebe Bridgers for their innovative production and emotional depth. I admire producers like Blake Mills and Jonathan Rado for how they craft organic, character-rich soundscapes. I’m drawn to music that feels personal, warm, and timeless — that’s the kind of sound I aim to create with every artist I work with.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don’t overproduce — let the emotion lead the production. A good song doesn’t need to be filled with layers; it needs to be felt. Focus on the story, the tone of the performance, and the arrangement that serves the message. Simplicity, done with intention, often connects more than complexity.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I mostly work with indie rock, alternative pop, Latin rock, and singer-songwriter music. I love working with artists who have emotional, honest songs and want to give them a polished yet natural sound. My productions often combine modern textures with vintage influences, creating a warm and immersive atmosphere.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is creating emotional, balanced mixes that feel alive and immersive. I’m great at enhancing the mood and energy of a track while keeping the artist’s identity intact. I bring a musical ear, technical precision, and a hybrid analog/digital approach that gives each song warmth and clarity. I also work closely with artists to guide the process, provide honest feedback, and help bring their creative vision to life with care and respect.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring clarity, balance, and emotion to every mix and master. My goal is to enhance the artist’s original vision while giving the song depth, punch, and a professional finish. I pay close attention to dynamics, stereo image, and tonal balance so the music translates well on any platform or device. Every decision I make serves the feeling and message behind the song — nothing is random. I work with a hybrid setup using plugins like UAD, FabFilter, Waves, and Acustica Audio, combined with analog gear to achieve warmth, depth, and precision.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: My typical process starts with a conversation to understand the artist’s vision and references. If I’m producing the track, I start by developing the arrangement and instrumentation, always sharing progress and gathering feedback at every stage. Then I move into recording (if needed), followed by mixing and finally mastering the track for streaming platforms. I offer up to 3 supervised revisions per phase (arrangement, recording, mixing, mastering) to ensure the artist is fully satisfied. For mixing and mastering-only projects, I ask for well-organized stems and clear reference tracks. Communication is key — I like to involve the artist in the process so we build something meaningful together.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work from my personal studio, Cactus Estudio — a space I designed and built myself to provide a focused and creative environment. I produce, mix, and master with a hybrid setup using Cubase as my main DAW. My gear includes DBX compressors, a Midas interface, a Mackie console, and Adam monitors. I record with Warm Audio, Shure, AKG, and Audio-Technica microphones. For plugins, I rely on FabFilter, UAD, Waves, Arturia, Acustica Audio, Softube, and Melodyne — ideal for crafting indie and rock sounds with analog warmth and modern punch. Cactus Estudio is built to deliver music that feels alive, emotional, and professionally polished. I work remotely with artists from all over the world, and I'm always open to new collaborations.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I’m inspired by Latin American artists like Conociendo Rusia, Bandalos Chinos, Fito Páez, and Luis Alberto Spinetta — I admire their songwriting and the emotional depth of their productions. As for producers, I look up to Gustavo Santaolalla for his cinematic and organic approach, Tweety González for his work with iconic Latin rock bands, and Fab Dupont for his precision and balance. I also admire mixing engineers like Andrew Scheps and Tchad Blake, who create bold, character-rich mixes. My favorite productions are those that sound warm, honest, and human.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most of the work I do involves full song production, mixing, and mastering for indie and rock artists. I often receive raw demos or rough ideas, and I help shape them into fully produced songs with a warm, emotional, and polished sound. I'm also hired just for mixing and mastering, especially when artists want analog-style clarity and depth with modern balance.
- Production Sound MixerAverage price - $300 per day
- EditingAverage price - $40 per track
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $70 per song
- Podcast Editing & MasteringAverage price - $75 per podcast
- Vocal TuningAverage price - $40 per track
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $400 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $70 per song
Up to 3 revisions per stage. Turnaround: 3–5 days (mix/master), 30 days (production). Files must be WAV/AIFF, 44.1–48kHz, properly labeled and organized.
- Cubase Pro
- ADAM monitors
- Midas interface
- Warm Audio & Shure mics
- DBX gear
- FabFilter
- UAD
- Waves
- Melodyne
- treated room at Cactus Estudio. Fender Jazz Bass for arrangements & sessions.
First-time clients get free mastering when booking a full mix — or 10% off a full production package (from arrangement to final master). Let’s bring your music to life with warmth, clarity, and emotion.