Pop/Hip Hop Mixing Engineer

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

A: ANIMA! - Moving Mountains... Music that touches me deeply and I got to mix their record. It was just an emotional rollercoaster for me that really felt right.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Many many records! One of them is a production for a very established Uruguayan Artist named Jorge Drexler. Modern production with traditional music!

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

A: Yes, Matthew Sim, he knows what's he's doing and is very professional.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both... Analog has obviously a character that is not immediate in the digital world. But recalls and also consistency are much appreciated from the digital. Most machines sound different day to day, and it can be a bit tricky sometimes!

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

A: That I will do my best to represent their vision into the mix/production.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: That I challenge myself every day, despite the fact that I've been doing it non stop for the last 8-10 years.

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

A: If I like what they do. And my answer is always honest... I tell them how I think they can improve and what parts I love!

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

A: That it's something that can be done by anyone. It is sort of understandable as some of the vital tools I use are easy to get and seem to facilitate the hole process (DAW's, etc.)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are they looking for in terms of sound? Do they have any other mixes or production of their own that they like ( I want to make sure I respect their history)

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

A: Not to be scared and shy about their music... Each person has a soul and voice to be heard!

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

A: Probably 1176 Blue Stripe, Manley Massive Passive (mastering version!). Sontec EQ, API 2500 and SPL Transient Designer haha!

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

A: I have been doing this since I am 13. I started producing beats on Cubase SX3 at my basement for my band. I then proceeded to record my own sounds through an old M-Audio interface and realize that I liked that more than engineering. When I was 17 I started studying electronic engineering in France and dropped out after 2 years. That was a turning point as I decided that music should be my main passion. When I was 21 I got accepted at Berklee College of Music and I studied Music Production and Engineer. One month after graduation I went to work for a year with Jonathan Wyner (David Bowie, Nirvana and Aeorsmith). I was lucky enough that I built my own room within his mastering studio and started my own mixing and production business. After that I moved to NY and built my own studio which allowed me to have more independence and even more understanding on the struggles of the career! All those years I got work with: Nile Rodgers, Paquito D'Rivera, ANIMA!, Enrique Gonzales Muller, etc... Extremely talented and influential people that shaped me in the way I am now.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Extremely caring, emotional and 3D.

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

A: Radiohead and BjÖrk. The reason being is that they seem to have a massive understanding in the depth of sound and prioritizing their emotional complexities over a defined market. They re-defined markets and trends through their own integrity.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure each element you are using has defined role within the song. If that element is not contributing rhythmically, harmonically or even emotionally is probably safer not to keep it. Less is more as they say!

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

A: Mainly pop, but a lot of rock and indie artists show up here, so I guess a combination of the three.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: To be able to be patient and have had the chance to study music and learn from the best engineers and musicians in the world

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring personality, but not my own, the artist's personality. It goes sometimes from being dull, a bit boring to exciting and impressive. I like to make things sound bigger than reality but always grounded with the vision of the artist.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I sit down, listen to the session, then compare it to their rough and let myself be guided by the element that is the most prominent in terms of importance. I define its tone and then I start to mix in the other elements making sure their interactions are musical and always supportive of that element.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a beautiful studio in Brooklyn, NY that was made from the ground up. It features floating floor, GIK and Real Trap custom panels as well as TubeTraps. It is also inspired from a traditional mastering setup: meaning that the listening positions was adjusted mainly for sonic qualities. It features hi-fi gear such as Grace M920 DA, Mytek Brooklyn ADC, APS Trinity with custom titanium tweeters, etc. I also have a rack full of analog gear such as Distressor El8-x, Daking Audio, Stam Audio SA-2A, Orion 32, etc.

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

A: People such as Serban Ghenea really inspire me... He shows a deep understanding on how to preserve the best in each mix to make the artist shine and excel. And believe it or not, Gojira is also a very inspirationl band. They have dedicated 10 years of their life before having any recognition and now they are probably one of the top 10 most influential metal bands. They did music that came from their hearts.

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

A: The most common work I do is mixing and production. Clients reach out to me because, throughout my career I have developed a deep understanding on "letting go "and being "ego-less" when trying to achieve the best. My sound is always trying to push the identity of the artist and its own vision. I can't always impose my knowledge as mixing and producing is truly an art of emotional investment and technical knowledge. That said, I do a mix based around their rough mix or a production based on their influences.