Rod Castro @ Archive Studio

I turn your ideas into music

Rod Castro @ Archive Studio on SoundBetter

Originally from Texas. I've been recording and making noise since the mid 1980's. I have a back ground in alternative rock, indie, pop, hip hop, punk and noise.

Confident engineer, producer, mixer and writer.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Interview with Rod Castro @ Archive Studio

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

  2. A: Crazy micro tonal synth pop.

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

  4. A: I'm new here, I'll meet the others at the water cooler later and let you know.

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Both. Because who can afford all analog anymore? And working "in the box" is up to par now.

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

  8. A: It'll be good and I won't waste your time.

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

  10. A: The gear. I'm a gear nut. I love to read the owners manuals

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

  12. A: Are you good? Yes.

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

  14. A: That awful line 'you can't polish a turd' well, it's true. You can't.

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

  16. A: Do you want to make an album or a recording?

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

  18. A: You get what you pay for, and pay for the best you can afford. Experience counts, not a cheap deal.

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

  20. A: a tent, a shovel, a small stove, a knife, and a solar powered cb/ham radio.

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

  22. A: I've been at it for over 30 years. My career path? Only do what I enjoy, the money is just a plus.

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

  24. A: Worked on the new Chrysta Bell album. I got it to sound amazing and got to work with amazing musicians including Pat Mastelotto, Stephen O'Malley, Adrian Utley and others.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: Eclectic but accessible to people.

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

  28. A: Damian Albarn would probably suit my music style

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

  30. A: Don't be afraid to make it sound tough. Even if it's a pretty pop song, it has to be played tough, sound tough, be tough.

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

  32. A: underground indie music, rock, pop or hiphop. the weirder the better

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: I can really bring out the song out of an idea.

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

  36. A: 30 years of music experience.

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

  38. A: Listen to the song. Add to the song only if it needs it.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: Studio based around Cubase, Universal Audio plugins, API Channel Strip, Universal Audio 1176LN

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

  42. A: Love underground or experimental music and musicians. Miss the old hip hop.

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

  44. A: Mixing tracks, producing tracks, making beats, and general song writing.

Gear Highlights
  • UA Apollo
  • API Channel Strip
  • Universal Audio 1176LN
  • Orban Eq
  • Aphex Mic Pres
  • Bellari Mic Pres
  • Moog
  • Novation Bass Station
  • Wurlitzer
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