Guitarist- Composer - Producer

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use Apogee | SYMPHONY I/O MK2 | Thunderbolt as my DAW interface with Protools and Logic. I get my analogue sound through my Focusrite ISA One Analog. As mics I generally use condenser Neumann U87, Schoebs, and dynamic Shure 57 and 58. For my electric guitar recordings I generally use the Mesa Boogie Stereo Preamp fed through my 50 / 50 Mesa Boogie Amp to my 2 Mesa Cabinets 75 w, 12 inch Black Celestion, 1992. The electric guitars of my choice are the PRS limited edition 1989 Strat configuration and the SRV Strat. The Taylor 814 is my favorite acoustic guitar. For Spanish Guitars I record with hand made Flamenco Conde Guitar Media Luna 2002 and Eduardo Duran Blanca 2015. I deliver final tracks in the following formats: 44.1 kHz (CD), 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or 92 kH resolution may be at 16 or 24 bit.

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

A: I have worked with my favorite musicians I looked up to as a child as Alphonso Johnson ( Weather Report) Walfredo Reyes, (Chicago, Santana), Dave Garfiled ( George Benson) and a few more. I have also produced and worked with grammy artists as Macaco. At present I would like to collaborate with good musicians and songwriters that simply want to be sincere with their music and put out their best for all to enjoy.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Before you record your song make sure it sounds good on its own. That is play it live and modify lyrics, structure and chords until you get the right vibe and the audience reacts the way you wish. Studio Production can only do so much. If you need help in achieving the sounding good goal, look for a traditional producer who can coach you.

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

A: I work on music that is acoustic in nature where there are performers that actually play the song. Yes I work with loops if the style requires them. My favorite styles are acoustic Latin Music, Flamenco, Funk, Jazz and Blues. Yes I am versatile as I have been doing this for over 50 years all day long. Please listen to my solo albums and songs I have worked on with other artists.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: To transform and modify harmonies to match the vocal lines, bring out the groove in your song and bring out all the parts of your production with clarity and power.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My experience as a live performer. I know what works well for the audience as my live job is to make them vibrate. I bring my experience as a producer, arranger, composer and as a teacher. I can coach and guide you from choice of chords, vocals lines, beats, mixing and mastering options.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: The ideal process is the following. You send me the tracks in wav or aiff, then I will send you a quick demo in mp3 of what I will record for you. But first I need to get to know the song and the artist so I can be more precise in how I play, what I play, where, the sound you need and the production plane of the guitar tracks. So I will ask you some questions: As an artist, how do you like to convey your emotions, your intention, your identity? As the songwriter, what do you want others to feel? Together we then decide on the production style, choosing from types of guitars, cabinets, mic techniques, compression and effects. I record the tracks and send them to you premixed showing also how they are supposed to fit into the final mix in terms of eq , compression and effects. We then discuss, I improve and I send you the final tracks non mixed, non compressed and also the final reference mix of how to fit them into your song. Once you are satisfied I will send you the final tracks in 44.1 kHz (CD), 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or 92 kH . The resolution may be at 16 or 24 bit.

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

A: I adore Jimi Hendrix as his solos and groove just explode. I love George Benson as his bluesy feel is the most unique in groove and melody. Paco de Lucia is the perfect stand alone orquestra. Jeff Beck is the perfect sound. I love band sounds and those producers that help the band sound come out even more as Rick Rubin, Sir George Martin, Quincy Jones, Niles Rodgers, John Leckie and Steve Albini. As I mentioned I adore arranging big bands, vocal ensembles and string sections. The masters I follow are Quincy Jones, Thad Jones and Henry Mancini.

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

A: I get a lot of work from Latin Music Songwriters and Producers that like my style of rhythm and lead and I record and arrange the guitars for them. They trust my experience and creative production skills that will deliver the best quality tracks ready for mixing. My clients know I am a composer and arranger so they sometimes ask me to do more than play the guitar. They ask me to arrange the song for them in terms of structure and what the instruments have to do. I also get asked for specific arrangements for strings and horns. Very often songwriters ask me what I would do to improve their songs. So I coach and pre-produce with them the songs and get involved in the full creative process until the final production of the album. That is from the start till the final release. For this type of work I put on my full production hat.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I am a mix of Paco de Lucia, George Benson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, Henry Mancini, George Martin, flamenco and latin music. Yep that is me.