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.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Interview with Rod Castro @ Archive Studio
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Crazy micro tonal synth pop.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I'm new here, I'll meet the others at the water cooler later and let you know.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Because who can afford all analog anymore? And working "in the box" is up to par now.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: It'll be good and I won't waste your time.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The gear. I'm a gear nut. I love to read the owners manuals
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Are you good? Yes.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That awful line 'you can't polish a turd' well, it's true. You can't.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you want to make an album or a recording?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: You get what you pay for, and pay for the best you can afford. Experience counts, not a cheap deal.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: a tent, a shovel, a small stove, a knife, and a solar powered cb/ham radio.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been at it for over 30 years. My career path? Only do what I enjoy, the money is just a plus.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
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.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Eclectic but accessible to people.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Damian Albarn would probably suit my music style
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
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.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: underground indie music, rock, pop or hiphop. the weirder the better
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I can really bring out the song out of an idea.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: 30 years of music experience.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Listen to the song. Add to the song only if it needs it.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Studio based around Cubase, Universal Audio plugins, API Channel Strip, Universal Audio 1176LN
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Love underground or experimental music and musicians. Miss the old hip hop.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing tracks, producing tracks, making beats, and general song writing.
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $500 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $500 per song
- Beat MakerAverage price - $400 per song
- RemixingAverage price - $500 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $100 per song
- Sound DesignAverage price - $100 per minute
- EditingAverage price - $75 per track
- UA Apollo
- API Channel Strip
- Universal Audio 1176LN
- Orban Eq
- Aphex Mic Pres
- Bellari Mic Pres
- Moog
- Novation Bass Station
- Wurlitzer
