Al Melinato on SoundBetter

I have been working in the music industry for some years now both as mixing/mastering engineer and session guitarist. Had my hands on hundreds of musical & audio projects from soundtracks to voiceovers for TV to indie-pop and (mostly) hard&heavy genres. Berklee alumnus and current mentor.

My job as audio engineer encompasses in studio recording duties as well as editing, mixing and mastering activity.
As a freelancer, I collaborate with a variety of bands and artists both nationally and internationally in an own studio BridgeProduzioniAudio (http://www.bridgeaudio.it/) as well as in other recording and post-production facilities.
My editing,mixing and mastering services can be provided on line as well via live streaming sessions!
so even if you live on the other side of the world shoot me an email and I will arrange a solution for you!

As a guitarist, I am available for studio recording sessions and live shows.
Teodasia (2015-2018). I recorded guitars on the album “ Metamorphosis” and played a series of live shows opening for national and international bands.
Dotzauer (2015) Post-metal band with which I toured many European countries.
Ghenesis “Un nuovo mondo” – (2017) I recorded and performed electric guitar parts for this theater ballet-opera production written and produced by Fabio Previati and Wilde Barbieri.
Moonlight Haze – In 2018 I joined power-symphonic metal band Moonlight Haze and tracked guitars on their debut album “ De Rerum Natura” and also tracked/edited guitars, bass, vocals and choirs on their second and upcoming album "Lunaris"

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

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Interview with Al Melinato

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I've recently worked on a rock-fusion album that came out pretty well, "Monarkeys", it's a solo album from Alessandro Bertoni and featured amazing musicians like Craig Blundell on (Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett) Ric Fierabracci (Frank Gambale, Chick Corea, Planet X) and André Nieri
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm currently engineering 3 full-length albums (mix and master), 1 single (master)
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: why not both!?! When there is time and budget to choose this option, that's my favorite. Anyway digital for most of the tasks I've usually been asked. It translates better for the most common purpose nowadays, digital streaming. It requires an extra care, depending on the streaming target platform and I put all my efforts on it.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: "It's a computer-based job so it's easy, it's fast and you can go over it many times". Well, you're wrong. Try me and let me prove it
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Tell me the most you can about you, as an artist, about your current and future project. These are vital information to me before taking the very first listening
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have a clear idea of what you need, it's so easy to get lost in this field
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: All my gear needs power! so I'd go with a giant oil pump, a power generator, a voltage stabilizer a huge power strip and a comfy chair. Otherwise, I'm screwed up
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Starting as a performer I wanted to go deep into the process of creating music, so I became a student in music production at Berklee College (master degree). After that, I started working as a freelance audio engineer.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Bummer.. too many
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Heavy metal, Hard rock, indie-rock
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Being patient and knowing when it's time to stop doing/over-doing in what I do.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My job is highly music-dependent, meaning not only the kind of music but the performance, the recording, the artistic and final purpose of every single song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: There's nothing typical or standardize in my workflow, I like to get creative!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work in an own recording studio equipped with top-notch hardware (Neve, SSL, Euphonix, Dynaudio, Mogami, B&W, Quested, AudioTechnica, Beyerdynamic, AKG, Shure, Royer, ElectroVoice, GrooveTubes, Cascade, Nuemann) and software (Avid Pro Tools Ultimate)
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Having the chance of working on different styles and genres is definitely an endless inspiration and a strong reason to push it forward all the time!
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I work mostly work on mixing of pre-recorded sessions and mastering singles, EPs or full-length albums provided on stereo tracks (no stems)