Impactful Mixes & Masters

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

A: A project I am immensely proud of is the album Principles of a Past Tomorrow by the band LothLoryen. It’s an extremely versatile heavy metal record with massive, dense arrangements, which meant my biggest challenge was carving out the perfect sonic space for every single element to shine. My role was mixing and mastering the entire album. Balancing heavy, aggressive guitar walls and powerful drums with intricate symphonic elements and dynamic vocals required absolute precision. It is an incredible album, and I’m deeply proud of how cohesive, punchy, and world-class the final result turned out.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Reggae Project

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

A: Since I focus strictly on mixing and mastering, I am always open to collaborating with the incredibly talented community of session musicians, top-liners, and producers here on SoundBetter. While I don't name specific individuals upfront, I always evaluate the unique needs of my clients' projects. If a song needs a specific live instrument or custom sound design, I am happy to scout and recommend the right SoundBetter pros to ensure the track reaches its absolute best potential.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Hybrid. I choose both, because they serve different purposes in a modern workflow.

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

A: My promise to my clients is simple: I will never deliver a track that I wouldn’t be proud to sign my own name to. With over 20 years of industry experience, I promise to treat your music with the same dedication, meticulous attention to detail, and sonic standards as a major-label release. I will protect your unique artistic identity while giving your song the clarity, heavy punch, and commercial polish it needs to compete globally. We don't stop until it sounds perfect to your ears.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What I like most is the moment of transformation—taking a raw, independent recording and watching it evolve into a massive, competitive track that sounds like a major-label release. After more than 20 years in the studio, nothing beats the feeling of sending the final master to an artist and hearing their excitement when they realize their song finally sounds exactly the way they always heard it in their head. Being the bridge that helps musicians achieve their sonic dreams and compete globally is the most rewarding part of my job.

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

A: 1. 'How many revisions do I get, and how long does it take?' My Answer: My standard turnaround time for the first mix draft is between 3 to 5 business days. Every project includes 3 rounds of revisions within 5 days of delivery. This ensures we have plenty of time to fine-tune every detail until the track sounds exactly how you envisioned it. 2. 'How should I prepare my files for you?' My Answer: I ask for fully consolidated, raw 24-bit WAV multitracks (stems), exported from the same starting point (bar 1) with all volume automation and temporary panning turned off—unless they are crucial to the song's identity. Please make sure to name the tracks clearly so I can dive straight into the creative process.

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

A: The biggest misconception is that mixing and mastering can completely fix a poor recording or a weak arrangement. While my hybrid setup and premium processors can work wonders for clarity, depth, and punch, they are meant to enhance a great performance, not replace it. A mix is only as good as the source material. I always tell clients that a great song with proper recording and solid arrangement is 80% of the battle; my job is to take that remaining 20% and elevate it to a major-label, radio-ready standard. We are enhancers and polishers, not magicians!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What is the emotional core and energy of the song? I want to know what the track is about and what feeling should drive the listener (e.g., aggressive and heavy, intimate and organic, or polished and radio-friendly). What are 1 or 2 commercial reference tracks for this project? Hearing songs you love helps me understand the exact sonic balance, low-end weight, and vocal presence you are aiming for. Are the tracks fully edited and ready for production? I need to know if the session files are finalized, or if you will need extra services like vocal tuning, audio cleaning, or specialized alignment. What is your target deadline and release strategy? This helps us structure the feedback and revision rounds smoothly to hit your release date perfectly.

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

A: Define Your Vision: Before hiring, have a clear idea of what you want. Sending 1 or 2 commercial reference tracks that you love helps me understand the exact sonic direction, energy, and balance you are looking for. Prepare Your Tracks Properly: Take the time to clean up your sessions. Name your tracks clearly (e.g., 'Kick In', 'Lead Vocal', 'Left Guitar'), remove any unwanted noises, and export them as high-quality 24-bit WAV files with no clipping. Trust the Process: Hire someone whose portfolio and background you connect with, and then trust their expertise. A great hybrid mix takes a little time to sculpt, but the final commercial punch and clarity are always worth it.

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

A: 5? That’s too much weight to carry! Just a laptop, a good pair of headphones, and my ears would be more than enough.

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

A: I started my professional audio career over 20 years ago in some of São Paulo's largest commercial studios. Coming up the ranks, I began as an assistant, advanced to a recording engineer working daily with mainstream artists, and eventually transitioned into full-time mixing and mastering. For the past 13 years, I have been dedicated exclusively to mixing and mastering from my private studio. This path allows me to bring that major-label sonic quality and deep industry experience to both mainstream and underground projects alike.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Punchy, Wide, and Polished.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One of my favorite tips for a powerful and clear mix is to prioritize the low-end relationship between the kick and the bass. Instead of just boosting frequencies, use sidechain compression or dynamic EQ to briefly duck the bass by 2-3dB only when the kick hits. This clears up the mud, creates an incredible groove, and gives your track massive commercial punch without clipping your master bus.

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

A: I primarily work across a diverse but specific range of genres that benefit from high-impact production: Metal, Rock, Pop, Reggae, and Gospel. While these styles are sonically very different, my hybrid workflow allows me to adapt perfectly to each one's unique demands.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill is achieving perfect spectral balance and dynamic control, ensuring that every mix translates flawlessly across all playback systems—from smartphone speakers to club PAs.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring perspective, emotional impact, and radio-ready polish to a song. My goal isn't just to make a track sound clean, but to make it feel alive. Thanks to my experience across contrasting genres, I know how to bring out the distinct elements a song needs to compete globally, bridging the gap between a great home recording and a major-label release—all while strictly preserving the artist's original vision and identity.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My workflow is structured to guarantee both sonic excellence and a smooth, stress-free experience for the artist: Preparation & Alignment: We start with a brief discussion about your vision and reference tracks. Once I receive your organized multitracks, I import them into my hybrid system, checking file integrity and alignment. The Mix (3-5 Business Days): I build the foundation of the track, using my SSL interface, Avalon, and Black Lion hardware for analog warmth, combined with premium plugins for surgical precision and depth. Review & Refine: I deliver the first high-res draft. Every project includes 3 rounds of revisions within 14 days, allowing us to tweak every detail until it’s perfect. Mastering & Delivery (24-48 Hours): Once the mix is approved, I run it through my Infinity mastering monitors to optimize the final loudness, dynamics, and tone. You receive a high-res 24-bit WAV master alongside a streaming-ready version optimized for platforms like Spotify and Apple Music."

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My studio features a high-end hybrid setup engineered for analog warmth and digital precision. On the hardware side, I use an SSL interface paired with the legendary Avalon 747 and the Black Lion AGB compressor, giving me incredible control over tone, glue, and dynamics during critical mix and master stages. For monitoring, I rely on a multi-reference system including KRK VXT8s, Yamaha HS50s, and Infinity mastering monitors, all managed by a PreSonus controller to guarantee perfect translatability across all playback systems. In the digital realm, I utilize top-tier processors from Acustica Audio, FabFilter, Plugin Alliance, LiquidSonics, and Softube to achieve maximum clarity, depth, and a competitive, radio-ready sound.

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

A: I don't listen to music the way a human does, but I am deeply inspired by the professionals who shape the modern sonic landscape through their technical precision and artistic vision. Mike Shpley, Chris Lord Alge and Andy Wallace.

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

A: The most common work I do is hybrid mixing and mastering. Clients usually send me their raw multitracks, and I transform them into polished, competitive, and radio-ready masters. I specialize in bringing clarity, punch, and cohesive balance to a wide range of genres, from heavy Rock and Metal to polished Pop and dynamic Gospel.