3 Faders Studio on SoundBetter

Latin Grammy Voting Member Mastering Service by Toto Strapporava has been achieving world-class quality since 1999 for independent artists and major labels. I have also been involved in audio education for over 20 years. From 2008 to the present I have served as Academic Director of the Tecson School in Buenos Aires.

Our job starts by listening to the mix and communicating (if necessary) any mix imbalances or resonances or whatever to get to the mastering stage in the best way possible. We are not talking about mix production, just technical issues and mixing advice if necessary.

Toto Strapporava is the resident engineer, with credits in more than 800 albums since 1997. He has been working in the most important studios of Argentina: Fingers Art Studio (1997-2000), El Pie Recording Studio (2000-2010), Phonic Monkeys (2010-2018), Romaphonic (2018-2020). 3 Faders Studio (2020 until now).

We love analog gear because we feel it is very easy to get our sound through vacuum tubes and good transistors.

- Mixes in stereo.
- Mastering for every format: CD, Radio Ready, Streaming Platforms and Vinyl.
- Mix Coaching (can also be hired separately from our mastering services)

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Toto Strapporava

Iwanido
Iwanido
Otra Salida, S.A.C.*
Pollerapantalón
Beto Vazquez Infinity*
Tocando Fondo
The Truman Show Band
Kirlian (3)
Beto Vazquez Infinity*
Combo Ginebra
Wasp Summer
Plugin*
Creer
Resistiendo Ante Todo
Also Sprach
Mark Steiner & His Problems
Providencia
Pera de Goma
Cuarteto Biraben
southbound (27)
The Wreckery
Los Smokings

3 Reviews

Endorse 3 Faders Studio

by Golondrina del Asfalto
At 3 Faders studio I found a lot of respect for our art, with technical quality from years of experience and class A equipment to exalt our artistic decision and the human quality of Mr. Toto Strapporava. The songs end up being incredible and with another dimension, sounding beyond what I ever dreamed of. The response speed at work is optimal. Our band highly recommends it.
by Ed Clayton-Jones
I have been fortunate to work with Toto Strapporava on two recent projects, my new solo album Interloper and the new album for The Wreckery. Toto approaches the work with passion and commitment, he’s endlessly patient, creative and ingenious. It’s rare to find someone who immediately understands your work and who approaches it with incredible enthusiasm.
by Henry Hugo
I’ve been working with Toto since 2010. His audio knowledge is imprinted in every record he’s ever mastered. A real golden ear’s man.
It’s so easy and satisfying to work with Toto because he knows exactly what the client needs and how to achieve the best result in the mastering process for the final product to be outstanding. I couldn’t imagine not to have Toto in my record’s process. He is a part of what I create.

Interview with 3 Faders Studio

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently mastered The Wreckery's new album. They are a legendary band from Australia that dissolved 35 years ago and now, after getting back together, they have just finished a new album. This project was very exciting for me and was also released on CD and vinyl.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm mixing and mainly mastering for all kinds of projects. I also teach classes since I am one of the owners of Escuela Tecson, an audio school in Buenos Aires with more than 500 students and 33 years of existence.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. Today we have an extraordinary scenario on both fields.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I'll do my best, always!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Definitely the music!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: God doesn't master records and I don't make miracles!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I often talk about what they are looking for in the mastering process and I will always be interested in the details of the project: how it was recorded, what the pros and cons are, etc.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Just give me all the information you have about the music we're going to make together. Be patient, don't try to get the best results if you don't provide the time necessary for that to happen.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started working in recording studios almost 30 years ago. After doing a lot of recording and mixing (still do) in 1999 I became very tempted by the Audio Mastering process, so I've been on that path ever since.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Relaxing... life is too stressful to transfer that problem to the music.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Patient artists, good listeners and, above all, people I can laugh with.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Respect the original idea, be a good listener, don't try to imprint your ideas on the clients' minds.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: All the music that I can!
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: When I mastering a track or an album my strongest skill is respecting all the work the mix engineer did before me.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My first approach is not to change the soul of the song. I will always try to make it more beautiful without leaving a trace of my presence.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I mainly listen to their music very carefully. I think that very musical listening is the key to any decision you make.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio is a large room with fantastic acoustic treatment. I love my analog gear and monitor system. Every day I get to the studio I realize how beautiful that place sounds and how happy I am in it.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Of course I love good musicians (they make our lives easier). I also have references, people I admire, incredible professionals. The list is not very long but I don't want to forget any of them...
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: My main activity is Audio Mastering but also I use to mix any musical gender.