GRAMMY award winning engineer. I graduated valedictorian from SAE Institute of LA and studied under amazing engineers like: Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie, William Fitzsimmons), Shawn Everett (John Legend, Alabama Shakes, Kasey Musgraves), Nels Jensen (Nekromantix), and Francois Tetaz (Goyte, Kimbra).
Hey there!
My name is Austin and I am a RECORDING/MIXING/MASTERING engineer based in Ventura County. A little bit about myself, I went to school for audio engineering at SAE Institute of LA and graduated valedictorian class.
Shortly after I worked with the band "The War On Drugs" for their most recent, GRAMMY award winning, record "A Deeper Understanding". From that connection I had to opportunity to with under many amazing engineers and be in world class recording studios (East West, Sonora, United). I then moved on to work freelance in my area as a recording engineer and formed a couple bands through the process. So I know what its like to be on both sides of the glass.
My goal is to make what the artist hears in their head something they can show the world.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Interview with Austin Asvanonda
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked as an assistant engineer/engineer for "A Deeper Understanding" by The War On Drugs. Im proud of my role because not only did it win a GRAMMY but I also was able to get work at some amazing studios and work with some amazing engineers
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Album for a band called Sir Please and tv placements
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Because they both have their benefits and disadvantages! But combined its powerful as hell
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Making something meaningful
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Can you fix that in the mix? and Usually i respond with yes because with todays technology you can fix most things. But I always try and re track if we have the option
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I can fix everything in the mix. It all starts with the right vibe and performance
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make sure the vibe is right
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Easy. 1073, 1176, Cole, Hummingbird, \ UA Arrow
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I went to school for audio in 2015 and graduated 2016 with my diploma in audio technology. My first job was working as an intern at a studio called Sonora Recorders. I slowly worked my way up to assistant engineer and on days where the main engineer couldn't come in I would fill in his spot. After Sonora I worked freelance in Ventura county focusing on building my name out in my area. I did projects like live sound, editing, session work, live performer, mixing, mastering, and anything I could get my hands on. I've been engineering since 2016 but playing music since 2012.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Organic
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: John Mayer. A lot of my guitar style originates from him and i think he is a great songwriter/producer
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Parallel compression with a small HPF can add a lot of energy and excitement to a section of a song
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I love to work with singer songwriters, folk, country, americana, blues, anything in that ares. I really enjoy working with live instruments and pulling the best out of everything.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It is different every time but the first step for me no matter what situation is to always talk with the artist before starting anything. I always want to hear what they vision for the song and what the song means to them. It is my job to create that vision and help them get 1 step closer.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: At my home studio I am currently using the Apollo Twin for editing and rough mixes. I also have access to a couple other studios, one in Santa Rosa Valley (Orion 32, Royer 121, Oceanus Latenus, UA 710, 1176, Adam A7, 421) and studios in LA (SSL Duality, LA2A, Great River, Great microphones, Toft ATB 24, AWS 900, Avid S6).
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: To just mention a few: John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Gregory Alan Isakov, and Chris Walla
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I am mostly involved with the recording aspect projects but not just limited to that. I also mix and master some projects.
I was the Recording Engineer/Producer/Guitarist in this production
- EditingAverage price - $40 per track
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $400 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $70 per song
5 revisions for MIXING and 3 revisions for MASTERING Takes me about 1-2 weeks to complete a MIX and 4-5 days to complete a MASTER
- SSL Duality
- AWS 900
- LA2A
- All UA plug ins
- API 550A
- Harrison 32
- Waves
- 2-1176
