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
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
