Sofia Karlson on SoundBetter

I’m a mixing engineer based in Berlin. I've had the privilege of working with various independent artists in the U.S. and Germany. I've been involved in music for the past 14 years, starting as a singer and pianist. My experience and engineering education gave me the ability to not only make a song sound great but to make it feel great.

I specialize in Hip-Hop but I’m open to other genres as well. No matter how and where your music was recorded, I focus on maximizing as much of the energy of the song while respecting your creative vision. My goal is to invest in your talent, understand your vision, and translate it into a commercially solid record. I can speak Russian, English, Spanish, and German.

Send me an email through the 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.

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Credits

2 Reviews

Endorse Sofia Karlson

by Ihor
Verified
Sofia did an amazing job on my hip-hop mix. Besides completing a song within 24 hours, everything was organized and positively interacted. The communication was straightforward and the working process-efficient. Looking forward to continuously working with her in the future!
by Oscar Ramirez
Verified (Client)
Great person, receptive to alternative ideas. Engineer on the rise with a great sense of sonic balance.

Interview with Sofia Karlson

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: - Every project will receive the utmost attention to detail, ensuring a polished, professional result. - I promise open communication throughout every stage of the project. From initial discussions to final revisions, I will actively involve my clients, ensuring that their feedback is valued and incorporated into the final product. - Delivering projects on time, every time
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: The opportunity for creative expression. Each project gives me a chance to blend technical expertise with artistic vision to bring the client's music to life. And of course, a sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing that my contributions have the power to resonate with people on a deeply personal level
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What playback systems do they use? - knowledge of it informs my mixing and mastering decisions. What artistic vision do they have? - the client's creative direction, including their desired aesthetic, mood, and any specific sonic references they may have in mind What is the deadline?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I’d say to thoroughly review portfolios and samples of previous work. And discuss expectations and communication preferences upfront (timeline, budget, any specific requirements, etc)
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Emotional depth and resonance. Whether it's through subtle nuances in dynamics, EQ, or the careful selection of reverbs and effects, I aim to evoke a powerful emotional response that resonates with listeners
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I start by listening to the song a couple of times to grasp its core idea and envisage how best to bring it to life. Then, I organize my session by renaming tracks and setting markers to delineate different sections of the song. If necessary, I undertake editing tasks, such as eliminating unwanted pops, clicks, and noise. Subsequently, I delve into the mixing process by first balancing the volume levels of each track and then gradually introducing effects to enhance cohesion and depth EQ, dynamics, and spatial effects. Once the mix is nearing completion, I test it across multiple playback systems, including my reference headphones (such as the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and DT770 PRO) as well as consumer devices like iPhone/laptop speakers.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Many! But I’d say the most inspiring are Mathew Weiss and Leslie Brathwaite for their exceptional ability to impart knowledge and refine the skills of budding engineers, alongside their mastery in delivering polished, pristine sounds across various musical genres. Additionally, I draw inspiration from the work of Lu Diaz, whose mastery lies in crafting powerful, impeccably balanced mixes
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My primary focus lies in mixing, with a specialization in Hip-hop. While mixing remains my forte, from time to time I can provide mastering services, catering to a diverse range of genres beyond Hip-hop