Big Mastering (Raf Chavez)

Pop, EDM & Bass Specialist

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79 Reviews (70 Verified)
Big Mastering (Raf Chavez) on SoundBetter

Music Mastering for Digital distribution includes dedicated bounces for Spotify/Streaming, Beatport, Bandcamp & EPK's Handcrafted and trusted by Be Rich Records, Delight Records, Wile Out Records, Visual Sounds & many more with releases supported via Triple J & Spotify Editorial Playlists.

My job is to make sure your Master is perfect on release day, no matter where you audience is listening. On Spotify or Apple Music, Beatport or Soundcloud & especially when you're pitching to labels.

As a working Producer, Full time Mastering Engineer & Musician, the importance of every detail in our Music needs as much attention as the next to compete in what is currently an over-saturated market.

Every label submission & playlist pitch will get as much care as possible from start to finish & most importantly, you'll be confident in every step along the way, ensuring a result you'll be happy with

Unlimited revisions are always included, communication is available daily & dedicated bounces for each format your audience might listen in is a given.

Request a proposal now & i'll be in touch as soon as possible

Pricing:

- Stereo Bus Master
$50

- Stem Mastering (6-8 Stems)
$80

- Stem Mix/Mastering (9 - 14 Stems)
$150

- Podcast/Youtube Mastering
$80

Personal note from Raf:

Bookings have been at an all time high and you may have noticed I have made the decision to increase my pricing which can make things harder for independent artists.

I love Australian Music and want to keep my services open to the amazing independent community here, because of this I’ve allocated 8 spots per month at the previous $35USD price.

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

79 Reviews - 13 Repeat Clients

Endorse Big Mastering (Raf Chavez)
  1. Review by Rory Carney
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    As always an excellent experience working with Raf. Quality mastering and is a huge help with general production and mixing advice

  2. Review by Noée
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    by Noée
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    It was a pleasure to work with Raf! Fast support with questions, professional file preparation and prints. Will work with him again in the future! :D

  3. Review by Luca B.
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    Great pro of mastering! Fast and easy communication. He did a great job with my song!

  4. Review by Dean D.
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    Raf is a nice and polite young man who knows how to do good mastering.

  5. Review by David M.
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    Raf is truly masterful and I loved how he was able to put the final polish on my song. It was also a pleasure to work with him generally, as communication was 10/10 and so was his advice. Thanks Raf, I will definitely be returning to you in the future!

  6. Review by Zac R.
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    by Zac R.
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    Raf took on a simple mastering job for me, but went wayyyyyy above and beyond. He even gave me a few notes of some things I could improve in the mix and let me fix them before doing his black magic to turn my bedroom-producer track into a pristine commercial banger. And let's not even go into his ear for BASS.

    This is by far the best mastering job I've ever received from SoundBetter. Couldn't recommend Raf enough.

  7. Review by Andrea (@SOFTSPKNMUSIC)
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    This was my first experience on Soundbetter and Raf made the whole process so easy and straight forward! Raf's extremely quick to respond and straight forward. I resent two stems (mistake on my part) and he made the changes for me the next day.
    I really appreciate Raf's easy going, bright attitude and his professionalism! I am SO happy with my track. Thank you very much, Raf! I will be back soon. Also- pricing was determined up front and was very reasonable. Highly Recommend!

  8. Review by Greg M.
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    Patient, helpful, was always welcoming and the work he did was amazing!

  9. Review by Rory Carney
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    Raf is a brilliant masterer, able to take onboard changes with ease. He's also v prompt at replying and a great guy to chat to

  10. Review by Andrew Aebersold
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    Fantastic Mastering services. Very pleased with Big's work - highly recommended!

  11. Review by Rory Carney
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    Would definitely work with Raf again, great mastering, prompt replies, and really helpful and nice guy. Also really interesting the different formats you get the track in to top it off.

  12. Review by Sam M.
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    by Sam M.
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    Always a pleasure, highly reccomend Raf for His mastering services!

  13. Review by TNKMSC
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    by TNKMSC
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    worked with raf on many tracks now and they always go above and beyond with my sound. cant thankyou enough raf!

  14. Review by Sam M.
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    by Sam M.
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    Raf is always delivering with his masters, skills are on top point and great service as always

  15. Review by Sam M.
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    by Sam M.
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    Always a great job with Raf, very time efficient and such a great guy to work with

  16. Review by Andrew Aebersold
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    Great experience! I chose Raf Chavez because he came highly recommended by a friend. The first attempt was solid, and with some simple feedback, the second attempt was awesome. I have decided to have him master my entire album. Highly recommended. He has been patient with me and provides great insights that have helped my production as well.

  17. Review by Emily W.
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    Quick & well-done work.

  18. Review by Sub_Caesar
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    Raf is a source of positive energy and influence for my productions. I totally rely on Raf for technical expertise in the mixing and mastering arena, yet he always makes sure I am still behind the wheel and gives me the confidence to make changes and take decisions. Even from the other side of the globe, his dedication and enthusiasm impact my mental state as a producer.

  19. Review by James B.
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    Raf is a legend and we use Big Mastering every week

  20. Review by James B.
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    Top job as always

Interview with Big Mastering (Raf Chavez)

  1. Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

  2. A: One release that may have been the quickest turn around in production was a remix I produced, mixed and Mastered for a Japanese artist. Within 2 days from beginning to end resulted in the track itself being signed to a large Japanese based label, upon meeting the label owners on one of their tours of Japan, they let me know they were opening almost all of their shows with this song. Something not necessarily enormous in the West, but knowing something I had produced, Mixed and Mastered in 2 days had gotten such a wild response on the other side of the world was really humbling.

  3. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  4. A: Working on 2021's line of releases alongside artists in AUS, NZ and the US.

  5. Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

  6. A: Unfortunately not, but hopefully soon I will.

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: Personally digitally, but I live in a digital world of Music.

  9. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  10. A: That i'll listen and be as eager to show the end result off as you will be.

  11. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  12. A: The moment people get finals back and just can't wait to release their music. Part of it is seeing someone so pleased with their work, they other part may be purely my ego haha.

  13. Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

  14. A: Q: What's your signal flow? A: ooohh...well...uuhhhh. I could tell you...

  15. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  16. A: That any template will work for any genre. There's no one size fits all for Mastering. Each song is different, each guitar, each synth, every single bit is different. So each project needs to be treated differently.

  17. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  18. A: What would you hope your reaction is when receiving the final product?

  19. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  20. A: Feel free to hit that contact button and let's chat. You're under no obligation and i'm happy to take the time to see if we work.

  21. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  22. A: Audeze LCD-1's (because you can't treat a room on a desert Island) Max Spec Macbook Pro (Gotta assume Power is unlimited on this island yeah?) A phenomenal Soundcard & Headphone Amp. I'd be pretty happy with my Fireface UCX Maybe a pair of Munro Egg 150's?

  23. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  24. A: Production/Mix/Mastering for over 10 years all the while working in Live Sound and AV Event Management with DJ'ing on top of that to boot. All with varying degrees of passion however Production/Mix/Mastering has always been the consistent that I'm now lucky enough to have take up my time.

  25. Q: How would you describe your style?

  26. A: Music Style: Fun, loud and Eclectic. Work style: The exact opposite, Calm, quiet and borderline nerdy. (the type of person who names every stem, has nothing on his desktop and makes/unmakes his bed each morning haha)

  27. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  28. A: Must Die! Tynan, Excision, Illenium, Blanke. There's just so much happening sonically that almost always sounds perfect. It's so much fun finding out the best ways to achieve such a great sound.

  29. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  30. A: There is such a thing as too much. Especially in Audio. We're trying to cram as much 'Sound' into a finite amount of File Space/Headroom, so assign what takes up that space smarter, not harder.

  31. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  32. A: EDM/Bass Music however Hip Hop and Modern pop tends to fit into this as well.

  33. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  34. A: Communication and Objectivity. I try to actively listen to what you say you need, whether it's pointing to a reference track or just describing how you want it to sound. I pride myself in taking the time to listen and deliver as discussed.

  35. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  36. A: That extra bit of polish to make the song stand out. It's transparent but noticeable, that moment when you hear a song come on your Spotify and go "oh wow, this sounds good". It's not just Loud, but it's clear, anyone can make a mix loud, but it's about making it loud & clear.

  37. Q: What's your typical work process?

  38. A: Mastering and Mixing works best when the Pre-Master is also clean. So I like to make sure I take the time with the client so they can deliver the best possible Pre-Master which helps me now but also helps them in the future. We're in this for the best result for the client, so communication is always first on my mind and then the project itself. Put in a first take for the Master and take the time to get Notes, pay attention and adjust.

  39. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  40. A: The Centre of is all is my Fireface UCX which has never skipped a beat and two original spec KRK VXT's with full curved outer shell and ABS Foaming on the inside, they are consistent and incredible in any room. Pair this with Hi Density Monitor foam for the base and Tom Tom Acoustics 100mm Treatment around my room, I've never been so comfortable in a space.

  41. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  42. A: Sub-Human who is another Mastering/Mix Engineer from Melbourne who I feel has a very similar outlook to Mastering as I do alongside Jack The Bear who very much resonates with me on the nurturing aspects of Art and specifically Mixing/Mastering

  43. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  44. A: Equally would be production and Mixing and Mastering however lately i've been lucky enough to have more people approach me for Mastering work. Something i've been quite proud of as it's been purely via people requesting me to.

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Messiah by TNKUGO

I was the Mastering Engineer in this production

Terms Of Service

June Waitlist:
3 - 6 Working Days

Discount $35 Spots Availability
June: 8 Available

Priority Mastering Available:
$15USD if needed within 48 Hour

GenresSounds Like
  • Habstrakt
  • Jauz
  • Blanke
Gear Highlights
  • RME Fireface UCX
  • Tone Projects
  • Melodyne
  • Oeksound
  • Fab Filter
  • ADSTR
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SoundBetter Deal

$35USD Stereo Mastering for Australian Artists on SoundBetter. (Strictly 8 Spots per Month)