I'm Rafa Alvarez, an artist and producer also known as "Different Sleep". I've composed music for Deepak Chopra, produced jingles on MTV and Comedy Central, and worked for Disney and Nickelodeon as a recording engineer. I'm a multi-instrumentalist and have been producing music for 10+ years.
As a recording artist, I have worked with labels like Friends of Friends, OWSLA, Downtown/Interscope, BMG, and have been streamed millions of times across various platforms. I am equally passionate about producing for others and have produced songs for artists that have gained millions of streams and radio play.
I promise to give the most cutting edge, modern pop production there is to offer. I am an avid listener of new music and have a vast library of soft synths, pro mixing plugins + outboard gear. I am looking forward to helping you fully realize your artistic vision, whether its producing out a rough vocal demo or getting that final mix radio ready, I can help you level up.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Credits
4 Reviews
Endorse Rafa Alvarez
Rafa is THE GO-TO for music/audio production, engineering, composing, VO recording, and so much more.
He's consistently delivered the highest quality production, audio engineering, and creative collaboration across a really wide variety of projects. He's easy to work with, on-time, solution-oriented, and open to operating within many roles (creative, technical, etc). Thankful our paths crossed!!!
Since the first time I started working with Rafa a little over two years ago I knew we would be making all kinds of music. I’d bring in super rough demos, just guitar, a drum loop and melody and we would sit together and spill out great songs. I’m so comfortable talking about my vision for a song and then trusting his process in making something sound right. He’s so good at listening to how you think a part should sound and trying it, but also so cool and non confrontational when he thinks something should sound a different way. Rafa is gonna be making bigger waves soon, collab ASAP.
Best vocal producer/engineer I’ve worked with this far. One stop shop!
I’ve had Rafa record vocalists as well as mix & master a number of tracks. The jobs have ranged anywhere from YouTube covers to major label releases. Each time he gives me a polished product that I am proud to showcase to my industry peers and the general public. If you need a recording, mix or mastering engineer I can’t speak highly enough of Rafa. I’ve put him in the studio with some of my most finicky and acclaimed clients and every one of them has had nothing but glowing reviews.
Interview with Rafa Alvarez
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently, I am working on recording an EP for a band called The Higher. They used to tour the Warped Tour circuit and have recently decided to put out new music. They are having me executive produce their new project to bring a modern edge to their sound.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: A happy medium of both. I believe running digital audio into analog gear brings out a tangible warmth and sheen that cannot be achieved within the box. This is why I run all my mixes through my Dangerous D-Box Summing Mixer + my BAE 1073 MPF before mastering.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I am only able to produce "electronic" music
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My sense of arrangement
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I typically have an artist bring me a rough demo and help them build out the production & arrangement.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: • Mac mini (2018) • Ableton & Pro Tools • Mojave MA-200 Tube Condenser Microphone • UAD Apollo 8 Quad Audio Interface • BAE 1073MPF 2-channel Preamp • BAE 10DCF Compressor/Limiter • Korg Minilogue • MicroKorg • Casio CTK-150 • Fender Stratocaster Guitar • Fender Precision Bass Guitar • Martin Symphony Series Steel String Acoustic Guitar • Audio plugin library includes: Waves, Plugin Alliance, Brainworx, Acustica, iZotope, Toneboosters, FabFilter, Soundtoys, Valhalla, Soothe 2, Softube, Sonnox, Kazrog, and more • Soft Synth library includes: Serum, Omnisphere, u-he Repro 5 & Repro 1, Lounge Lizard, Reaktor, Kontakt, Massive, SubLab, LABS, Korg M1, Ableton synths (Wavetable, Analog, Operator, Tension, Collision), MAX for Live, and more
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am inspired by artists that take on other roles within the music creation process. Charlie Puth, for example, not only for the quality of his music but the way he plays a significant part in the way his music is engineered. Another artist who I respect in a similar fashion is Calvin Harris. Rarely do you see a producer not only sing on their own tracks, but also effortlessly incorporate live instrumentation. Of course it is not necessary to always be the artist AND producer, engineer etc. But as someone that dabbles in both sides of the process, I admire artists that take the time to do so.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I have the tools to perform many of the different tasks necessary to produce a quality record, so often I am recording, producing, mixing, and mastering everything from start to finish. When only one or two of these things are necessary, I gladly take on those roles.
I was the producer, mixer, mastering engineer in this production
- ProducerAverage price - $500 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $250 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $100 per song
- Vocal compingAverage price - $100 per track
I offer 5 free revisions, extra charge after that. 3-5 days for mixing/mastering depending on quantity. 1-2 weeks for production depending on complexity.
- Dangerous D-Box Summing Mixer
- BAE 1073MPF Pre-Amp
- BAE 10DCF Compressor/Limiter
- Korg Minilogue
- Ableton
- Pro Tools
