Although I love working with indie artists, I have also worked for artists such as Snoop Dogg, Garou, Lethal Bizzle, Donaeo, Plan B... My work went platinum, nominated for Mercury Prize etc...
Artisan of sound, sonic sculpturer o more commonly known as a mastering engineer. I have been told I have great communication skills, perhaps that is why I am still in business after 16 years.
I like extremes. Personally, I love BASS and therefore I like to work on any bass-heavy music genre such as Hip-Hop, Grime, Techno, House, Electronica. BUT I also love working on acoustic/folk projects where velvet gloves are mandatory.
I started as a tracking engineer, went into mixing after that. For five years I have worked mainly as a music composer, before diving into Mastering full time in 2004-2005.
This is why I still pick up the odd mixing or production gig
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Interview with Alex Balzama
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Mastering for Snoop Dogg last year
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: This week was hard rock from Italy, Hip-Hop from the UK, Prog Rock Moog music from the UK and EDM from Poland
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I am new here...
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both...and why not?
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: If I am not 100% confident to meet your deadline, I won't accept the work
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Everything
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Why are you so expensive? Why are you so cheap?
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Mastering is not expensive and hiring the right mastering engineer could be the best thing you can do for your music.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Not sure, but a very common question I put forward is "What are your distribution channels?"... It normally goes silent after that.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make sure your music is ready for mastering. Always ask for advice first!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A guitar, a fully loaded Kindle, a small solar panel
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: This is the only job I ever had... I have been doing it for 25 years
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: That would be Frank Zappa or John Coltrane but it ain't going to happen... Jokes aside I'd love to work on Massive Attack music. I have immense respect for the guys and I love their sound.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Bring the snare up
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: It varies alot.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I believe is my musical sensibility ( I am a musician myself) and my communication skills
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I am quite good at reading the "in between the lines" of a mix. It is important to understand what the original intention of the production was and make sure that the mastering process facilitates it and not hinders it.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I make sure that I have an established communication channel open with any new clients. Online forms are useful but not useful enough to give me a proper picture of what the project it is all about. Once I am confident that I have understood the pitch, I move one to the mastering side of the project.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Our new suite is located in the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside. It has been built from scratch in 2018-2019 and it has been fitted with a pair of brand new Dutch and Dutch 8c high end full range mastering monitors.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Frank Zappa, John Coltrane, Massive Attack and Django Reinhardt
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Like many other ME's I adopt an hybrid approach. I use both high end analogue outboards and digital tools. I believe conversation is key and therefore my first port of call is always to establish a good communication channel with my clients either via email, phone, WhatsApp or Messenger
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $350 per song
All mastering revisions are included in the price. This does not however include re-submissions (e.g. a new mix with a different EQ on vocals, editing on drums, vocal tuning etc..).
- Cranesong STC8
- API 5500
- API 2500
- Porter Net EQ
- Manley Vari Mu
- Manley Stereo Pultec EQ
- Dutch & Dutch 8c
