Music is dope, and I want to bring the best out of yours. I'm a Los Angeles local who's a Producer, Audio Engineer, and Session Bassist.
Getting the right Producer, Mix engineer, or Mastering Engineer can make a huge difference. Getting the best results isn’t always easy, but I can help you achieve the results you desire.
I have worked on a large variety of music ranging from Hip Hop to Jazz and Metal to R&B. My passion for music started when I began playing bass guitar in local bands 16+ years ago. After years of formal and informal training, I decided I wanted to work in the Music industry from both sides of the production desk. In 2014 I graduated Cal State Chico with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Industry and Technology: Option in Recording Arts. After I graduated I started working as a live sound engineer and mobile recordist, eventually working my way into local studios. A few years after that, my pursuits brought me to Los Angeles where I currently reside.
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
15 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client
Endorse chrismakesound
check_circleVerifiedThank you very much Chris man! Without your mixing abilities, our master tracks would not be as amazing as they are!
Best Wishes,
Relentless- check_circleVerified
Our final track, PHD. This is our oldest song in the set of five songs we recorded and mixed with Chris. He mixed it down in one shot. We had no complaints. It's like he tapped into our brain and brought the song to life. Yet none of it would have been possible without Chris. He has gone above and beyond for every track. Chris Cares if you care. It's been a pleasure. We see ourselves working with Chris in the future. Goodbye for now, but we hope to work with you again.
Best Wishes,
Relentless - check_circleVerified
Promises is the name of this track. We are really happy with this track. Our bassists’ wife hums this track when all were hanging out. We have a laugh. A large part of this is because Chris recorded and mixed our track. His knowledge and abilities are indispensable to music production. Please hear him out. Chris will deliver.
Best Wishes,
Relentless - check_circleVerified
We tirelessly worked on perfecting this song called "Disperse in Two". In part, it was because we, as the band, were not prepared for how the song would change during mixing. During recording, we were satisfied with the track, but during mixing, our idea of what the track could be changed. To get this new idea across, a lot of communication had to occur. We are fortunate :)
Contact Chris for recording and mixing. You will not be disappointed.Best Wishes,
Relentless - check_circleVerified
We are happy, the result of our track is fascinating! Recording of all instruments began in early July. Mixing in early September. Five songs were recorded, but now three songs are finished with great mixing. We are thankful that Chris has put up with us and yet can create a great track. Honestly, this track was done after the first mix. We tried adding to the mix through revisions, but more often than not, we took away from Chris's mix. We definitely recommend Chris. He will not disappoint :)
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Chris,
We are satisfied. We are totally satisfied. The more we listen to the track, the more we are content, but enamored with the complete result. We would recommend Chirs to anybody. Whether they wish to record or have a track for a mixed. We are happy; we are grateful. Thank you for your patience and hardwork man.
Best Wishes,
Relentless
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Chris is a thorough recording engineer. He would double-check songs to make sure I was comfortable with each recording. This allowed me to reflect, but improve from my previous takes. I'm happy with his efforts. I look forward to our next session!
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We did vocals and lead guitar this past Saturday. Each day we are reaching the home stretch, but in part, it is with the help of Chris's advice and suggestions. Look forward to our next recording session :)
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To be honest, we are happy with Chris as our recording engineer. He kindly asks us if we feel comfortable with our takes. To reinforce that we ourselves are confident about our recordings. So we're thankful for that. Check him out :)
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We are glad Chris motivates us to bring out the best in us during our sessions. His ability to communicate, but provide feedback, is welcoming. This allows us to approach or think about sound in a different light. We are confident Chris perceives the same goal we do. Which is to put out the best material we can at this given time. We look forward to our next sessions.
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Chris is a music engineer who provides great constructive criticism. We are happy that he allows us to bounce ideas on how to approach our instruments for the final song mix. His dedication to work on a project is respectable. Chris is driven to record as much as the musicians with whom he works with. People like Chris are not common, but that is why we appreciate our time with him more. We look forward to our next session with Chris.
Best Wishes,
Relentless
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Chris is an outstanding recording engineer. This is our second session laying down tracks, but we couldn't be happier. Highly recommend Chris.
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Fantastic man. Great communicator, wholesome attitude, and a drive for success. Would definitely recommend!!!
check_circleVerifiedGreat bang for the buck!
Grasped the vision of the track thoroughly and delivered swiftly!
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thank youLast night, we finished a great vocal session with Chris. Our band's Ep' is coming along well. Two vocal tracks finished, three more to go!!!
Interview with chrismakesound
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently worked with the band Relentless on SoundBetter, and they just released their first EP. I was the recording and mixing engineer for them. It's a really organic and free sounding production. Everyone in the band and I worked really hard to make sure everything was right with every song. After listening to it post-release, it's clear our efforts were absolutely worth it. The music and production sound amazing, if I do say so myself.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Just wrapped up mixing a single for a band in Phoenix, Arizona. Now I'm writing and recording a metal EP.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love helping create people's vision. There's no better feeling than seeing a someone who is beaming with happiness after hearing their efforts come alive.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are you trying to say with your music, and how do you want to say it?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Just be yourself! Also, don't be afraid to tell me if something doesn't sound right.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I was a live sound engineer from 2015-2020, all while doing freelance recording. I ditched the live sound portion once COVID hit, and now focus on being a recording engineer, mixing engineer, music producer, and session bassist.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Deep and 3D. Not everything needs to be saturated, but sometimes I love making things sound a little dirty.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Anyone that has a passion for music.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: The best way to find your signature "sound " is to simply listen to your ear when it tells you that something sounds good.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I make songs feel deep, wide, and 3 dimensional. I like adding sometimes subtle, sometimes grand reverb and other time-based FX when the moment calls for it. Other times, I like to pin-point focus on specific elements of a song to really draw the listener in.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: With a mix, I'll start with the drums. From there I'll mix in any guitars, pianos, synths. After that comes the bass instruments and then finally we get to the vocals. I'll make sure to everything is gelling together and cohesive during throughout the whole process from start to finish.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog gear can be great for tracking. When it comes to editing, mixing, and mastering, digital all the way. There's so much you can do within DAWs these days, pretty much anything is possible
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Having the best or most expensive gear in the world doesn't make anybody a good engineer or producer. Having a great ear that can make critical decisions is the most important thing for anybody making music.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A fishing pole with line, a smartphone, a solar powered generator, a salt water filer, and one acoustic guitar. Living is pretty important.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I typically work on rock or some variation of pop music. Lots of indie and metal mixed in there too.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Getting vocal tracks to sit in the mix. It's the most important part of most songs, so it's critical to treat the vocals properly.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use 2 rooms. The room I mix and master in has a ton of acoustic treatment from GiK Acoustics, and the sound coming out of my monitors lays any track bare. If there's something wrong, the speakers will scream at me. Our tracking room has extensive treatment as well. We have 16 channels of Universal Audio Apollo preamps, a mini grand, a full drum kit, and a fantastic personal monitoring system.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I primarily mix for my clients and bring all the elements of their music together, turning their creation into a cohesive and vibrant sounding product.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Son Lux, John Paul Jones, Kendrick Lamar, Little Dragon, Gojira, Meshuggah, Toro y Moi
- Recording StudioAverage price - $500 per day
- ProducerAverage price - $500 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $250 per song
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $100 per song
Turn-around is typically 1-3 days for Mixing, Mastering, Editing, and Session Bass.
Live Tracking Studio is typically booked in 4 - 8 hour blocks.
2 revisions per Mix, Master, and Bass take.
- Tame Impala
- From Indian Lakes
- Foo Fighters
- Apogee Symphony 16x16+8 pre
- x2 Universal Audio Apollo 8p
- Warm Audio Buss Comp
- Fender Stratocaster
- Gibson Les Paul
- Schecter C-7 Apocalypse
- Tama Rockstar Drumkit
- Fender American Original 50's P Bass
- Steven Slate Mics
I'll mix and master your song for $250. Also, if you need 3+ songs mixed, I will discount the whole project 15%
