Guitars, Bass, Songwriter

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

A: Recently, I was in charge of recording the guitars for a song that will be used in a documentary, which aims to portray a father’s love for his son. The song is called “Castillo,” and the artist is named “Néll.” It was a very inspiring piece and a huge challenge, because the artist had a very specific vision that could not be changed. Using several layers of synthesizer sounds, he managed to recreate exactly what he heard in his mind. The recording process was beautiful, as I had to use many resources and techniques to replicate that sound on the guitar.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently finishing recording some songs for a producer from India, other tracks for a local artist, and my own songs as well. My solo music needs me, of course, hahaha.

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

A: Of course, I am close friends with one of the most well-known guitarists on SoundBetter and in the world. He has been my teacher for years, and his advice has greatly helped me improve my work as a session musician. I also know two drummers from my city. With one of them, I have had the opportunity to be credited on some songs, and he is very well known worldwide for his recordings with major artists.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both options are great because they bring different things to the table. I wish we could understand that it’s not so much about what we have to do our work, but rather how we use what we have to get the job done.

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

A: I promise clear and effective communication, on-time delivery as agreed, high-quality performance, a good tone, and a bit of humor, because I like to avoid being too rigid in the way I interact with people.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I enjoy most about my work is the opportunity to enrich each musical piece. The beauty of recording is that every song is a blank canvas.

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

A: Everyone asks me about the cost of the work, how long it will take me to deliver the files, and some have also asked what equipment I will use. On a few occasions, I have even received special requests to use specific gear. I really value constant and open communication with clients, because that way I know we can achieve excellent teamwork and deliver great results.

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

A: That everything is possible to achieve. Sometimes there are intentions, rhythms, or melodies that are not playable by a human, especially in today’s world, where artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to create initial compositions.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: When I speak with a potential client, I like to first understand the overall vision of the project. I ask what they want the song to convey and what emotion they want the guitar to bring. I’m also interested in knowing which artists or references they have in mind so I can align with the desired style. I like to know what stage the production is in and how they imagine the role of the guitar within the arrangement (whether it should be lead, rhythmic, textural, etc.). I also ask if there are demos or previous versions I can listen to in order to understand the direction. I’m also interested in the story behind the song and what it means to them, because that helps me play with more intention rather than simply performing parts. Finally, I ask about deadlines, delivery format, and any technical details of the project to ensure a smooth collaboration.

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

A: Listen to the work that person has done, because that is where the results of what they do can be heard. It is very important to listen to the songs they have already recorded.

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

A: We can agree that the computer and the audio interface don’t really count, since nowadays they are essential for shaping sounds, hahaha. I would bring a large-diaphragm microphone, a microphone stand, a cable, a dreadnought acoustic guitar, and an electric guitar.

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

A: I have been recording guitars for approximately 8 years, but I have worked as a live session musician for more than 12 years, out of the 25 years I have been professionally involved in music and guitar.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My playing style is highly versatile. Many people have said that Colombian musicians are known for their diverse musical background, which allows us to perform across a wide range of genres and bring unique musical contributions to every project.

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

A: There are many artists I dream of working with, but if I had to choose just one, it would be Steve Lukather. He is an exceptional guitarist, songwriter, and arranger who has had a profound influence on my approach to rock music. I also deeply admire the way he has contributed to so many other genres—his versatility and musicianship are truly inspiring.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: 1) Don't do more than the song is asking 2) Learn to listen to your song without focusing on whether you personally like it or not. Compare it with your reference tracks and identify the elements that work best. Then incorporate those ideas into your own music to create a result that resonates with the audience of the genre you want to perform.

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

A: Rock, blues, pop, country, reggae, reggaeton, hard rock, metal, and many more.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My greatest strength is improvisation. For this reason, many clients have hired me to create guitar solos for their songs and contribute original musical ideas through my guitar work.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: High-quality performances, musical creativity, and impactful sound.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Clear communication with the producer or artist is essential. Before getting started, it's important to have reference tracks that reflect the sound they are aiming for. I also need an audio demo that clearly conveys the song's harmony and melody so I can approach the recording with accuracy and purpose.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My primary DAW is Logic Pro X. I use a 2-channel Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, along with two condenser microphones (one large-diaphragm and one small-diaphragm) for recording acoustic instruments and guitar amplifiers. I also have several digital multi-effects processors and a wide range of guitar processing plugins for electric guitar recordings. In addition, I use an FRFR cabinet that allows me to accurately reproduce virtually any amplifier model. If a more analog-sounding tone is desired, I can mic the cabinet to capture a more natural feel. For more demanding projects, I also have a pedal-format guitar amplifier. My electric and acoustic guitars are Ibanez instruments, as I am an international artist for the brand. My classical guitar and ukuleles are from other manufacturers.

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

A: Recently, I have been listening to and analyzing recordings by some of the world's most renowned session guitarists, including Dan Warner, Dann Huff, Tim Pierce, Steve Vai, Steve Lukather, Tom Bukovac, and Rob McNelley.

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

A: I record acoustic, electric, and classical guitars, as well as ukuleles. In most cases, clients provide me with tablature or sheet music to perform. However, I have also created guitar arrangements for their songs when needed.