
Online Mixing Engineer working for Artists, Records companies, Film companies, Producers, and any other music-based audio/media companies. Max’s mixing style is dynamic and musical. Over the years, he has developed and become known for his mixing services and his warm sound. Moreover, Max is an expert composer, guitarist, and arranger.
These services reflect a unique approach initially developed to deliver Max’s mixing style across many diverse genres, including jazz, r&b, blues, rock, pop, alternative, guitar bands, electronic dance, and HipHop.
As one of the few engineers who can cross the genres with total ease and credibility, and as a World-Class, Platinum Mixing and Mastering Engineer, an expert Recordist, and a creative and very organized Producer, Max has his High-Quality Mixing Room with Hybrid ProTools Ultimate and High-End Analog Summing, plus vintage selected outboard. And have a remarkable recording space available to the clients to capture a classic-style sound. Max also has strong collaborations with many World-Class recording studios all around Europe, including London, Paris, Berlin, Cologne, Bruxelles, and Rome; he frequently records and mixes there, on large SSL mixing consoles, if the budget allows it.
Please feel free to use the green “contact” button on the top right to ask for a budget. Please include the number of stems, length of the song(s), and any other relevant information about the project. Member of the Music Producers Guild.
Platinum: Peter Maffay Begegnungen 1998 Germany Platinum (certified by BMieV in 1998), ODK Germany 5 - Mar 1998 (45 weeks) (6 weeks in top 10), Germany 5 - Mar 1998 (33 weeks), Switzerland 8 - Mar 1998 (15 weeks), Austria 37 - Apr 1998 (1 month)
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Credits
- Robert Palmer
- INXS
- Aerosmith
- Roxette
- Peter Maffay
- Pascal Obispo
- Karim Kacel
- NCCP
- Enzo Avitabile
- Franco Battiato
- FLO
- Spaccanapoli
- Zooming on the zoo
- Hondy
- Innesto
- Tonton David
- Souled out
- Mariah Carey
- Spackanapoli
- Mannarino
- Monica Pinto
- Sineterra
- Orchestra Joubes
- James Senese
- Napoli centrale
- C.f.f.
- Agnese Valle
- Amrit/Metz
- Mariano Schiavolini
- Moujard
- Takako Okamura
- Tomohiasu Hotei
- Altotas
- Chick Corea
- Antony Hequet
- Zotz
- Giacinto Piracci
- Pietro Condorelli
- Audio2
- Eugenio Bennato
- Nuova compagnia di canto popolare
- Mango
- Vasco Rossi
- Secret Garden
- Tomoyasu Hotei
- Okamura Takako
- Daniela Carelli
- Billie Ray Martin
- Gert Stainbaecher
- Lorena McKennit
- Loco Ironico
- Amirit/Mitz
- Pascal Obispò
- pino daniele
- Nino Buonocore
- AEROSMITH Boston
- Power Station
- Akenathon
- Alejandro Lerner
- Elio e Le Storie Tese
- Gary Moore
- Fito Paez
- Holliwood Bowl Orchestra
- Yoko Kanno
- Lorena McKennitt
- The Kelly Family
- Marc Lavoine
- Marco Borsato
- Philippe Maujard
- Renzo Arbore e l'orchestra italiana
- Stefan Jarue
- Kumiko
- Zucchero
- Carmen Paris
- Orchestro Joubes
- Vesevo
- Yayo Gonzales
- Mitz
- SoulFtaara
- Gabriella Rinaldi
- Euphoniques
- Keem
- Susan Ciani
- Zooming On The Zoo
- Francesco D'Errico
- Lega Leggera
- Karima (7)
- Eugenio Bennato
- Zooming On The Zoo
- Francesco D'Errico
- Renzo Arbore E L'Orchestra Italiana*
- Mango (2)
- Maffay*
- Steinbäcker*
- Peter Maffay
- Peter Maffay Und Lokua Kanza
- Masta & Soulshine
- Frame (5)
- Lega Leggera
- Lega Leggera
- Karima (7)
- Orchestra Joubès
- Sineterra
- Various
- Orchestra Napoletana Di Jazz
- Enzo Avitabile
- Flo*
- Vesevo
- Karim Kacel
- Akhenaton
- Enzo Avitabile
- JNC*, Napoli Centrale
- James Senese, JNC*
- Lord (17)
- Eugenio Bennato
- Zooming On The Zoo
- Zooming On The Zoo
- Peppe Barra, Concetta Barra
- Various
- Zooming On The Zoo
- Consiglia Licciardi
- Various
- Suzanne Ciani
- Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari*
- Renzo Arbore: L'Orchestra Italiana*
- INXS
- Aerosmith
- Roxette
- Mango (2)
- Steinbäcker*
- Fito Páez
- Akhenaton
- Akhenaton
- Elio E Le Storie Tese
- The Kelly Family
- The Kelly Family
- The Power Station
- The Kelly Family
- Various
- The Kelly Family
- The Kelly Family
- Maffay*
- Pietro Condorelli
- IAM
- The Voxtwisters
- Joyce (4)
- Frame (5)
- Argine
- Various
- Lega Leggera
- Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari*
- Lega Leggera
- Orchestra Joubès
- Various
- Orchestra Napoletana Di Jazz
- Enzo Avitabile
- Flo*
- Vesevo
- Various
- Suns Of Thyme, Odd Couple (3)
- Enzo Avitabile
- Aerosmith
- Roxette
100 Reviews - 14 Repeat Clients
Endorse Max Carola- check_circleVerified
Max is very professional and proficient at what he does. He's also a clear communicator and chockingly swift in creating a wonderful wide and warm-sounding yet crisp mix! Max understood my vision and intent of how I wanted my particular song to "come forth" and what I wanted accentuated in the mix. Don't hesitate for one second to contact this experienced old-timer.
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I enjoyed it a lot and had fun working with Max.
Great communication, fast turnaround, great results, great sound.He was very flexible in doing as many revisions as were needed to fine-tune the mix and master until we both were happy.
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It has been a pleasure working with Max. He was quick and responsive, whenever I asked for changes in the mix of my song. And every time the song improved. It ended up with a great mix and master, that I now can send to the world :-) I will definitely work with Max again.
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Max was very dedicated to make the sound that I wanted for my project. Easy and and smooth communication, only tiny revisions was needed. Very nice person to work with.
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Another great mixing experience with Max. As per usual, he helped bring the song to a level beyond what I'd thought was possible. I look forward to continue working with him in the future!
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Max did great in his mix and drums for my songs.
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Max was great! Very patient and made sure I was happy with my project. I look forward to future works with Max.
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Another great mix from Max where he was able to take the song to another level, and even introduced some cool new ideas throughout the mixing process. I'm looking forward to working together on future projects with him shortly!
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Max helped me get my track to where it needed to be, was a pleasure woking with him again
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Another great mix by Max for my next album project. He was willing to work with me despite an error with my stems, and the result is a version of my song that truly sounds better.
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Another great mixing experience with Max. Delivery and turnaround was faster than expected and still resulted in one of my favorite mixes so far! Looking forward to continuing to work together.
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Another top tier mix from Max! My first time working with live drums and he made them slice and pop just perfectly. I'm excited for our future mixing projects :)
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It was great working with Max again, I believe for the 5th time now! He always takes my music to a new level with his mixing and this experience was no exception. Looking forward to continuing to work with him as part of my music project!
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Me gustó trabajar con Max, en el principio fue difícil para mí explicarle el sonido que quería en mi composición, pero gracias a la comunicación y su profesionalismo, hizo un trabajo de mezcla y masterización realmente mejor de lo que esperaba, lo recomiendo al 100%.
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++!
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Max has made one mix for our band and now we would like him to mix the whole album. He is not only mixing high professionally but also can find the right character of the music!
Fast responding and very kind comunication.
Highly recomended! - check_circleVerified
Max is amazing, I worked with him on the entire album, he is very professional, talented and easy going which is important for me as I am very demanding and picky when it comes to my music. I am tremendously grateful that he has so much patience for me and this is a just a pleasure!
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Made the track much better!
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Absolutely amazing job! Sounds so professional and cannot thank you enough!
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❤️
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If you’re looking for a professional mix, look no further. Max is a really talented and experience engineer. It’s a real pleasure working with him.
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This is my second album mixed by Max and I couldn't be happier with the result. The music I make could be considered non-traditional, but thankfully he is able to understand the core idea and make the songs the best they can be (and then some!).
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Max helped me achieve the ideal sound for my recordings with his mixes. Great turnaround timing too. Looking forward to working with him again on my full album :)
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Great as always, quality and excellent communication!
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Great work as usual. Very professional.
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Great as always!
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Max was very efficient and does quality work.
I would recommend Max to anyone! - check_circleVerified
Second time working with Max and another great experience! He nailed (and enhanced) the mix for each track, and the masters sound fantastic. Would work with him again in the future :)
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Max is a true professional, and really knows what he is talking about. It was a pleasure working with him.
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Great sound, brought a lot of emotion and it was much needed. Solid Mix.
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Max is a true professional. He knows what he's doing and he's very helpful and patient. Great communication skills and an excellent understanding of what the song needs. I would 100% recommend working with Max!
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Max far exceeded my expectations in mixing and mastering my first album & single. It was a thrill to get back his mixes and listen for the first time, as I was always blown away. He was very easy to work with and did a superb job with effects of all kinds. I hope to work with him again in the future!
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He made a marvellous job on the single "you'll be fine". Quick and superb quality.
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Max always does a great job mastering my songs, he's very professional, and knows his stuff.
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Max is a professional, he send me the track I asked for in less than 24h.
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Max is like always amazing. I am often very complicated and it seems that with each song he gets me more and more! We have done together (with upcoming 2 songs) a full album! This means that I really put my trust in Max! Talented and easy going! Thanks Max once again you did it!
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What a great experience working with Max! The final mix exceeded my expectations. Same with turnaround time. Also I solicited critical feedback and Max sent me some great pointers that I can use on future projects. Highly Recommended.
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I have been working with Max on my album on all songs, he is so patient with me when I am really demanding and difficult. He will make the job till the last little things, until I am fully satisfied!He is amazing and very talented and experienced! I will be back again soon!
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Good job and very professional.
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This is my third time working with Max and he did it again. Super fast, professional, and talented.
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Max knocked it out of the park again! This was my second time working with him. He was able to quickly take my track and improve its fullness and clarity. Max has a keen ear for what makes each and every element of a song shine. He is fast, easy to work with, and incredibly talented. Can't wait to work with him again.
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Max was awesome to work with and so accommodating to any changes I wanted! I would highly recommend him as this was a very easy and pleasant experience and I am very happy with the end result!
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every job with Max is always characterized by great quality of work, professionalism and speed in giving feedback.
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Max is amazing, he hits quickly the right way to approach my projects! Very experienced and talented! I have made multiple songs with him and I keep coming back!
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Again another amazing mix from max, glad to be working with him again
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Max did an amazing job with my mix/master. He is super accommodating and very easy to work with. He went above and beyond to help me get my song sounding just right. I produce very bass heavy music and he was able to help me get the perfect balance of everything while still hitting hard. Definitely work with Max, he's top notch.
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IT has been many songs from me already that Max worked on. I get easily frustrated if this doesn't go the way I want it and Max has a lot of experience and patience to always make it sound just the way I want it! He is a real BIG PRO and I definitely recommend him!!! Thank you Max for everything!
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I had a good experience working with Max. He returned my mix and session within a week and made good decisions on it.
Thank you Max!
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Amazing to work with Max yet again, works fast and always gives the best mix to our songs, cant wait for the next
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Max is amazing, very talented and the most important very patient with me when I am such a perfectionist! It is a 5th song we are working on together and I am looking forward for more!
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Been a pleasure!, made the track reach it’s full potential yet again
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Max is the top.
Thanks to a great availability and a very fast communication, working with him is always a pleasure!
#recommended - check_circleVerified
Great to work with Max again. Wasn't to sure about this track but after his mix gave me the confidence to be albe to pu this on my album
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Amazing work yet again, even with such little time max managed to make my track reach perfection. love it!
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Max has vision and real artistic creativity in music composition! Truly a huge help in making my new song a Reality
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I love working with Max, he has so much patience for me when I don't have patience for myself! This track almost has caused a nerve break down because for me everything was really wrong and Max version after version put all puzzle pieces together! I am a a demanding and tough client, he has always given a great advice towards my tracks! THANK YOU MAX for another beautiful job and patience!!!
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Great work yet again, fast work and hekped me get my track to its full potential.
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Love working with this guy! It is a 3rd mixing and mastering he has done for me. Once again I am a super complicated person and client and he always has patience and being kind! He always finishes it until the last detail the way I want it! Such a pleasure to work with him!
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An amazing person to work with. Patient and knows what he is doing. I had a lot going on while making this song and max helped me work around it which really supported me mentally as an artist. I would recommend anyone to work with him. He is truly the best at what he does.
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It was a 2nd song already mixed and mastered by Max. I am very picky and have a very narrow taste with an exact idea of what I want. Max works hard to make it sound exactly as you with with many changes!!! He is brilliant in his work! THANKS MAX!!!!
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quick responses, great communication, great job in the end not much more to ask for
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This was a tough job. I brought a very chaotic mix to Max. He was really the only engineer who would have put up with the seemingly unending edits I had to do to get it right. Was very difficult and frustrating to work it all out. But in the end Max delivered a great mix and I'm very happy with it. I would hire Max again.
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Excellent Mixer and quick and easy to work with.
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Max is a total professional, he was very patient and listened carefully to every one of my notes and delivered a solid mix.
I definitely recommend him for your projects. - check_circleVerified
It’s always a pleasure to work with Max thanks to the quality of his mixes, frequent communication and great professionalism.
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Max is really great. This is my 2nd song mixed with Max Carola.Almost like a doctors bed side manner he's got an easy going attentiveness and banter that I really appreciate. I am not the easiest person to deal with being very particular to the point of obsessing over small details at times and Max handles it with grace and really goes above and beyond to give me what I'm searching for. I continue to learn from Max and look forward to working with him again.
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I am a super demanding and a super complicated client, Max had enough patience to make all the changes that I asked and did an excellent work on my vocals - mixing and mastering! Absolutely recommended!!!
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Max Carola was just so great to work with. He is patient and has a great ear. He took the time to really care about my song and the result I was looking for. I don't feel like a lot of other engineers would have really given the effort like Max did. I would recommend him highly.
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great working with max
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great to work with
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Great to work with. Fast communication and good appliance of skills.
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Mi sono rivolto a Max per il mixing ed il mastering delle mie tracce e sono molto soddisfatto del prodotto finale.
Grande competenza e comunicazione; sicuramente mi rivolgerò a lui ancora! - check_circleVerified
frequent communication, speed and quality.
Recommended - check_circleVerified
I am very happy to have worked with Max! Great experience and professionalism. I will certainly contact him again in the future.
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Amazing. Works fast and well.
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First time using a professional mixing and mastering engineer -- helped create my vision, took my production to the next level, and blew all of my expectations out of the water (I do hip hop/r&b if that helps anyone). Highly recommend.
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If you are looking for a personalised mixing experience from an engineer with year's of illustrious work to his credit , go with Max ! He will shape your Mix the way YOU want it to be . Communication was excellent and he is very flexible with turnaround's . All this at an affordable fee . Thanks Max !
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A great pleasure working with Max, He really ensured that I got everything I wanted out of the track we made. Would definitely work with him again and recommend a professional with his ability and skills to anyone.
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Had such an amazing experience working with Max yet again, he was very patience and wasted no time at all to get the job at hand taken to the next level. Would highly recommend working with someone with such experience and talent as him.
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Max's kind heart can only be matched with his production skills. You can easily make out in a couple of interactions with him that he has decades of experience under him and has a very good understanding and appreciation of/for music and artists. I am very happy with the work he's done for me; I will work with him on other projects in the future!
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Pleasure working with max again. As usual he did much more than just deliver, he ensured that the track reached it's full potential. Can't wait to work with him again. Professional and fast.
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Yet again great work, fast, quick, and showed a deep understanding and appreciation for my music would recommend max to anyone.
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So great to work with max yet again. Professional and delivers everything I needed if not more. Thank max hope to work with you in the future. Highly recommend and talented.
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Max is extremely hardworking and won't stop until you are happy with the task completed. He also has extrodinary knowledge of not only mixing but mastering, vocal tuning and many more. As an artist I would highly recommend him as he understand where your coming from an what your song/songs are all about. Keep it up you did an awesome job man!
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Very patient, articulate, and professional. Great quality work - Thanks Max from FWP
Max is always amazing and so understanding and patient! Such a huge PRO with so much experience!!! He always helps me to bring my song to the end until I am fully satisfied no matter what!!!! Even if it means more work. Fully recommended! Love working with him, I have few more songs left and my whole album will be done with him! thanks Max for everything!
Max is always amazing and so understanding and patient! Such a huge PRO with so much experience!!! He always helps me to bring my song to the end until I am fully satisfied no matter what!!!! Even if it means more work. Fully recommended! Love working with him, I have few more songs left and my whole album will be done with him! thanks Max for everything!
Max is always amazing and so understanding and patient! Such a huge PRO with so much experience!!! He always helps me to bring my song to the end until I am fully satisfied no matter what!!!! Even if it means more work. Fully recommended! Love working with him, I have few more songs left and my whole album will be done with him! thanks Max for everything!
Very professional and fast. we will work together again in future certainly
Great work yet again with max, even with some choppy audio he made the track reach its full potiential. Cant wait to work him again. Hands down one of the best producers.
Even with music in the back roud and some choppy audio Max made the track perfection. Glad im still working with him. Cant wait to make more music. One of the best producers right here.
A great pleasure working with Max, He really ensured that I got everything I wanted out of the track we made. Would definitely work with him again and recommend a professional with his ability and skills to anyone.
Working with Max was a wonderful experience. He's very professional and flexible. I'd recommend him to anyone.
Working with Max was an absolute delight. And, while we didn't get to do much, he was a consummate professional for the entirety of the time spent.
Grazie Max! Ottimo lavoro. Molto professionale, competente e veloce. Suono fantastico e servizio eccellente. Lo consiglio vivamente.
Max is my producer, arranger and music partner since 1985 and a great musical director for my entire music production. I trust him in every aspect of my musical career
I worked with Max on many occasions both in the studio and live. He is extremely knowledgeable and competent. We worked in Capri in a world class studio, we worked in florence with second rate equipment. Max will adapt and make you feel comfortable no matter what the setting and the gear. He will make it work...
I have worked with Max for more than 10 years, going from electronic to world music, passing through audio postproduction and sound design and I wouldn't find easily a sound engineer who's easily able to be in charge of all these different kinds of jobs. "If it works, don't fix it" has been our mantra for years and I'm really grateful for all I got
Max has a very great talent, his technical knowledge allow him to best use any type of device, analog or digital. He knows how to handle every kind of music bringing a refined taste, he puts his signature in every mix and last but not list he is a very good person, very helpful and gentle, this makes him a very good professional.
Max provided an exceptional sound for my project. I was truly excited to find out his versatile talent in mixing. You can probably give him any genre of music and receive a warm, crispy and inspiring mix. In addition, I found no problem to work with Max online. I wish I could come to his studio in Naples, but honestly, there was no need for that.
Interview with Max Carola
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I started all analog and I know it deep. And I like digital since has made possible to deliver great production at a fraction of the cost. And now most of the quirks about digital sounding are gone. In my work, changing from one song to one other several times a day, the digital ability to bring back on the desk exactly the same sound I had left is invaluable and a must to keep the price tag in a possible measure where the records are not so profitable as before. So I like budget conscious clients and I work hard to let them perceive the value of my collaboration. And there are some things that in analog are just impossible... But I still like a lot when I record on the SSL to a half inch stereo master tape, if you can afford it. I always hope to meet clients that have the proper budget to allow that.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise them my best effort to make their music successful, powerful and immediate. And that both the industry and the people will enjoy to listen to it, non stop. I have evidence that my work stand the test of time.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I am a music lover and I like to know new people that share that same passion. Sometimes it's hard to work for long hours and sometimes you have to struggle to reach to a point you start to really feel a song. But when you accomplish the task and the song shine I feel wonderful. It's a mystic experience
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Is the lead guitar loud enough? :-P And my answer is almost always, yes! Another question is often: Do you like the song? And I can only answer to the question after my mix is ready. And when I have a mix done, you bet I like the song since I spent an inordinate amount of time just to reach that point!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I've been so lucky to work with clients that trust my judgement and like my work so I'm not really sure how to answer to that question. But for me is clear that there is a lot of confusion about the production and the mixing, especially now that there are less "A&R" people involved in the process. My real work is to "balance" and for me that means guiding the listener into a musical journey that enlighten and inspire, that make the listener change his life, her point of view about the world. That's the power of music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Powerful, clean and professional. I tend to create mixes that are rich, balanced, wide and "tall". I work hard to balance all the tracks aiming to a crisp and warm sound. The mix is of paramount importance to a song and I put into the game my taste, my knowledge and my experience to help the song to find it's way into the emotional world of the listener. I work hard to make the intention of the song get trough. It's a tough job though. You have to find the balance and create a sound that is comfortable and aggressive at the same time and that can cut trough the floor noise of an ever increasing offer.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Wow, one of the many... Ok: I like to work on the feel of a drums track fixing little time problems but never bringing the things too deep to completely erase the "groove" of the drummer. All is made manually, spending as much time is possible so that if feels natural and exciting. Sometimes it takes hours but is worth it. All the song then sounds a lot more emotional and exciting. I use mostly elastic time for that, but I never use it to the point you can hear it work. Same with the vocal editing and tuning. I like melodyne since it makes easy to do small fixes, just the ones needed to let the music flow. I don't like to be distracted by bad intonation problems in a great sung phrase.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Most of my work is aimed at the R&B, Soul and Pop market, but I also work very much in the world music scene and I like to work in jazz projects as often happens. Lately I am having great fun with the HipHop and Trap scene, that seems to appreciate my sound. I like all kind of music and I try to experiment in any genre. Maybe metal is the one that I work less even if it happens, now an then, and I know the sound of it!
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My musicality and sense of balance. And a deep knowledge of the music that seems very useful sometimes when producing young bands. Also my technical expertise that gives me the ability to create powerful, detailed masters that are far ahead in the strong competing world of today's music, but with full respect of the original intention of the Artist and the Producer. Sometimes I have to work hard to preserve the original intention and still deliver a professional sounding mix.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Thanks to my long years of experience I tend to bring to the song an organic sound, very intense and defined where ideas shine in their strength. Also it appears that I have this sense of "balance" that makes even the most intricate arrangement easy to listen to. And if in need I can play to the song adding the missing details to make it a hit!. All in a deep respect of the original idea and production. I am ready to work on additional production (credited) and bring whatever elements are needed to enhance the production and help to bring it to the next level.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Being a Free Lance I tend to work in many different studios. I like to work with SSL 4000G+ large format mixer and analog outboard but is getting more and more difficult to have a big enough budget to allow that so I set up my mixing and recording room, a "non studio environment" place with daylight that I managed to get acoustically and technically meaningful so to be able to give the best price to my clients, thanks to the internet and the technology available. It's based on a powerful Pro Tools HD system and a Dangerous Music analog summing mixer, plus a lot of analog and digital gear. My main monitors are EMES mastering grade speakers, plus yamaha NS10s (great for balance), Auratones 5C's (vintage, still very important check), and real world little speakers. I like to record with class A mic preamps and I have a wide choice of Neve's, Focusrite's Amek's and JoeMeek's to make my collection of mics happy. And for the producers and my own arranging and producing I have a huge collection of Analog, digital keyboards (including Kork, Yamaha, Oberheim, Sequential Circuits) and plugin instruments plus a more than 150000 sample library with many originally sampled sounds. Plus my collection of guitars and basses (and amps). All you need for a great sound.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I am the one to be recommended, sorry :-) But if I find a pro that is worth my help I will write it here.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am currently working on several projects. I don't like to talk about projects until they are published and available to the public; I believe is more professional that way. What happens in the studio stays in the studio. But I can tell that in two of the projects I am involved in the production and in others I am only the mixing engineer. I one I also do the recording and is a long term project for a major release. But there is always some time for interesting music, in my life. I hope to see you there!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: My main interest is to know what is the aim of the song, if is an album track or a single for radio. This is a crucial question since a radio friendly song must be a lot more focused on the "quick" reaction of the listener so everything must be neet and immediate. And a lot more time is spent on little details that in album songs don't need to be that worked out. I like album songs; often are the ones that surprise the listener and find their own way to success. Since I offer several mix revisions in my work I try to make the client happy no matter what but I really like to mix quick so that I don't loose the freshness of the first listening. But I'm ready to work hard in case the mix needs it.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Please do your work prior to sending to me your songs. Be sure to clean all the tracks from noises, false starts etc. And please send me only relevant material. I will try to fit all you send me in the mix (at least I will try), before deciding to do some cleaning. But this might be time consuming and will shift the focus from mixing to producing and editing (not included in the fee ;-). I assure you that is a completely different work and there is a lot more in mixing that most people are aware of. I will be dedicated to the song and usually I don't stop trying until I like the song a lot and I feel touched by the music. Only then I will propose my mix to the client. So there is no minor song or work for me. And my goal is to have you as my client forever! And please send the Lyrics.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Just too long. I started in 1975 as guitar player touring with famous local artists. But I was already into recording and a happy owner of a nice home studio based on the teac 3340 and a revox a77. In 1980 I started to engineer officially in a professional studio and in 1982 I did my first work as a mix engineer (35 years of mixing,,, cool !) Since then my career turned more into the engineering even if I found a way to sigh a major contract with Casablanca and bring forward my artistic side. In 1990 I was involved in one of the best recording studios in the world, the Capri Digital Studio, in the Capri Island. I was there for ten years working with the big names of the music industry, including Solomon Burke, Aerosmith, Inxs, Roxette, Power Station and many others and learning my way to the top quality in music, production and sound. Since 1999 I work as free lance traveling all around Europe (and more, sometimes) offering my skills to the artists and producers that ask for it. And I still find time to record my own music, mostly for movie, tv and theatrical works. But you can find a lot more on the web...
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Ah, that's easy (sort of) 1x Shure SM7 1x 1073 Neve pre 1x Urei 1176 Black face 1x Fender Telecaster 1x Dangerous Music 2Bus
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The project I like to share with you is my experience in Sound Design of the film "Enzo Avitabile Music Life" directed by oscar's director Jonathan Demme. It was all recorded live with incredible musicians from all over the world including Trilok Gurtu, Eliades Ochoa (Buena Vista Social Club), Jivan Gasparian (The sound of Gladiator!) and so many others that is too long to write down. I had to record, and mix the film soundtrack and the cd under pressure to present the film in Venice and I loved every moment of it. I hope you can find a way to see the movie.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Usually my work starts when I receive the tracks from my client (via a file transfer system) and a brief about the song to mix. I like to hear the "rough mix" and read the lyrics. Then I do a quick mix to hear what's on tape and to find some hidden pearls in the recording. When I know my direction I can put the mix together to a point that I like to call "1st pass" in memory of the old days. This is my "first impression mix" that I send to the client for a comment, prior to go in details with infinite moves and little tweeks to get the song to the right place. Usually, my clients give the green light and I finish the mix creating some alternative mixes if needed. If the client ank for a mastered track I also do a mastering session or send the mix to the mastering chosen by client or I do the mastering internally (included in the fee). The whole process may take from several hours to some days, depending of the budget and the destination of the song.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: This is a tough question. I've been so lucky to work with so many artist I love that it looks like I've been blessed. But I like a lot to work with young and inspiring artists and share with them my knowledge. Anyway I don't want to elude the question so: Bjiork (since I believe she found a really new music paramount). I would like to work more and more in the R&B scene.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I have a wide range of professionals that inspire me. Starting from Quincy Jones, and Rick Rubin (that may seem far but not in my world). I have to thank my mentor Humberto Gatica for the incredible knowledge that he was able to pass me in such a brief time. And Phil Tan, Bernie Grundman, Alan Parsons. And the late Bernard Edwards (RIP) for the immense lessons on producing I had the luck to learn working with him. And the many other producers and engineers I worked with. Everyone of them has been a great inspiration.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Depending on projects, I record, mix and master albums for my clients. I have a really good sounding recording space that I offer to my clients and a light but powerful on location recording rig in case we decide to use an unconventional recording space. I collaborate on writing and arranging contributing with ideas and keeping the session flow. Most of my work is really mixing, pushing the songs of my clients to a very powerful, intense but polished sound that seems to appeal the industry and the public.

I was the Mixing and Mastering Engineer in this production
- CleopatraTrough (Slivovits)
- LivingByTheSea_Henrik
- Various Artists HipHop demo
- Prison (GDDFNO)
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $450 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $90 per song
- ProducerAverage price - $2000 per song
- Dolby Atmos & Immersive AudioAverage price - $900 per song
All SB clients have Unlimited revisions. Mix and mastering consulting available. Please contact via SB.
- Enzo Avitabile
- Robert Palmer
- Peter Maffay
- SSL4072G+
- A800s
- Lexicon 224/480
- Neve 9098
- Isa428
- Jensen D.I.
- ProTools Ultimate
- Waves Horizon+
- Dbx160a
- Dbx118
- Emes BlueHR
- Auratones
- Ns10s
- JoeMeek Pre/Opto/Eq
- Korg Poly6
- Wavestation
- Dx7MkI
- NI Komplete Ultimate
- Spectrasonics Vip.
Free revisions for SoundBetter clients.
- Soundtrack for Film "Indivisibili" was flooded with awards. Recorded and mixed by Max CarolaJul 10, 2017
- Where will it end - 120 tracks mix!Mar 07, 2017
Just done a cool mix of "Where will it end" with Mariano Schiavolini! Huge 120 tracks mix... DONE!
I spent the last two days in my mixing room honing the mix of Where will it end, a beautiful song for the "SOul Africa" project that will be released soon. Stay tuned for more about it.
- Maxsound new web site on lineJan 18, 2017
Finally the new web site is on line for the Maxsound Vibe Studios. http://www.maxsound.it
Here you'll find information and interesting articles about recording, mixing and production.
MC - O' Sanghe - James Senese & Napoli Centrale wins Targa TencoSep 22, 2016
O' Sanghe - James Senese & Napoli Centrale wins Targa Tenco. The Albus has been mixed by Max Carola @ Maxsound Vibe Studios and has been chosen by the prestigious prize, the most important Italian reward for the Music in Italy.
http://www.rockol.it/recensioni-musicali/album/v-9286/james-senese-o-sanghe - Encore un jour CD by Karim KacelMay 12, 2016
RFI has just released the new CD by KARIM KACEL entitled ENCORE UN JOUR. Mixed by Max Carola at Maxsound Vibe Studios.
- Encore un JoMay 12, 2016
- 'O Sanghe by Jnc-Napoli Centrale mixed by Max Carola at Maxsound Vibe studiosApr 30, 2016
The new CD by James Senese and Napoli Centrale has been released. The album has been mixed by Max Carola at MaxsoundVibe Studios.
http://www.amazon.it/Sanghe-Jnc-Napoli-Centrale/dp/B01D5I30Z0 - Max Carola's Masterclass on Mixing the 8th of MAY in ItalyApr 13, 2016
A long awaited Masterclass on mixing will be held by Max Carola at "The Basement Studio". The class is open to 10 to 15 people and will be a full immersion presentation on the digital "in the box" mixing techniques.
to book your seat contact masterclass@maxcarola.com - Mixing the new Enzo Avitabile CDMar 03, 2016
After the successful recording and mixing session with the VESEVO trio, currently up in the euro world charts, I'm currently mixing the new Enzo Avitabile album in my mixing facility. After that I will mix the new cd of a promising Artist, Agnese Valle, and the new CD of the group Spaccanapoli, discovered by the Real World records of Peter Gabriel. And still more to come...
- In studio with FLOOct 12, 2015
Max Carola is in the studio mixing the new FLO album that will be released in 2016 by Agualoca Records.
- C.F.F. first video is on lineOct 12, 2015
https://youtu.be/nH8Hu6_xxgc.
C.f.f is an Italian band (trio) that brings the punk rock sound into the
realm of the acoustic world. "Come fiori" is the first single from
"Canti Notturni" - Telecom Music Talent Space in Berlin...Dec 25, 2014
The recording and mixing session in Berlin for the Telecom Music Talent Space held in the Funkhaus rooms has been a complete success. Great appreciation for my mixing work and good vibes everyehere! http://musictalentspace.net/
- New room in Berlin!Aug 11, 2014
From september 2014 I will be available for mixing in a new room @ Funkhaus Berlin Nalepastrasse. For the clients that wants to meet in person with me instead of On Line mixing and are based in Berlin this will be a very good option! This is a great sounding room and I will be there to mix every month!
Please contact me for inquiries or a quote. Or you can get in touch with me for an ON LINE mix session and get a DEEP, TALL and WIDE mix of your music, with your voice UP FRONT and a DEEP 3rd dimension! - Mixing sessionsMay 24, 2014
Just finished a quite demanding mixing session for the French artist Karim Kacel and Arranger Angelo Zurzolo. The mix was completed in my hybrid Analog/Digital mix room using Pro Tools and some amazing Hardware and Software outboard for a warm, analog sound and precise, up to front vocal.
Please take time to listen to the mixes as soon I will be able to publish it (just after the record release).
Now busy with the mixing of a new project "Spaccanapoli" for their third release. The previous albums were on Real World records and gained worldwide interest.
And already working on a third project with the singer Fiorenza Calogero, producer Andrea Aragosa and Artist/Composer Enzo Avitabile. - FLO Album releaseDec 11, 2013
FLO Album will be released soon by Agualoca Records. Mixed and mastered by Max Carola @ Maxsound Vibe Studios.
For a prerelease preview:
https://soundcloud.com/agualoca-records/sets/alcd005-flo-d-amore-e-di-altre