I'm a mixing and mastering engineer based in Los Angeles, CA. This job has taken me to various parts of the world like Iceland, Mexico, Faroe Islands, Cuba and Texas. I love what I do for a living and truly enjoy discovering new music. I can't wait to start working with you!
Mastering is the final polishing done to a track and is a crucial step for making sure your music translates well across all listening platforms.
I've got the gear, the ears and the knowledge, your tracks will always get my personalized attention and treatment. This is not just adding plug-ins and choosing a preset. This is my years of experience and craft working for your music.
I feel at home working for top tier musicians as well as independent artists. They all get the same quality of service. In the end it's all about my passion of working for the music.
I've been doing this professionally for quite some time now and even tho I'm based in Los Angeles CA I also frequently travel around the world to work with new artists. I hope this becomes a great way of collaborating on new projects and making new friends.
Cheers!
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Interview with Diego López
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: It's very hard to choose. I can honestly say that I am very proud of all the projects I've been involved with regardless of my role. They all come with their challenges and rewards.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Mixing and mastering music for several independent musicians from all over the world.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Hybrid. The analog mojo is still king in my opinion. But the flexibility and cleanliness of digital is something that we can all enjoy as well.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will take your project to heart. I'll proudly leave a part of myself in your music.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: That it doesn't really feel like a job!!!
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: The most common question by far is how much do you charge?!?!? :p My answer is: it depends on what service you require, the state the project is in and your expectations.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That anybody with a big plugin collection and some presets can be a mastering/mixing engineer.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Many questions depending on what type of service they request and the state of their project.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: This not only is regarding me but in general. Be open to somebody else's impression/interpretation of your music. Take your time to understand our vision and then proceed to provide your feedback.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Laptop, my headphones, some apogee interface, SM7B and a KSM32
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing guitar in bands then studied a bit of classical music and piano and eventually discovered the art of production, recording, mixing and mastering. I've been involved in music for about 18 years now.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I don't think I can define it yet. I'll leave that up to my clients. For now I want to be without definition so that I can feel free and flexible while working on new music.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Radiohead and La Barranca.... I've already worked with La Barranca so 1 down and 1 to go! The reason is that I really enjoy and admire the art that those bands create.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: I'll share 3 tips! - Recording: If you got the performance right then you can focus on the equipment. In that regards, start with good quality front end. Mic>PreAmp>Converter. - Mixing: It's all about the midrange. If you dominate that the rest usually falls into place or is easier to sculpt. - Mastering: Be mindful of the dynamics of your music. Louder is not always better.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I keep my projects as varied as possible. I love sound and the way it develops itself within a given genre.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Understanding what a client really wants. Being able to interpret and decipher their vision and turn it into technical/artistic decisions in my processing and involment of their song.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: An unbiased opinion and a great disposition to make it reach its full potential.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I never think about it as a process, I couldn't reduce it to a few steps. All I know is that my personal goal is to keep it as intuitive as possible.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: ATC monitors, Apogee Converters and boutique analogue gear by A-Designs Audio
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Bob Clearmountain, Chris Lord-Alge, Radiohead, La Barranca
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Recording, Mixing and Mastering
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $50 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $300 per song
- ATC Monitors
- Apogee Converters
- A-Designs Hammer 2 EQ
- A-Designs Nail Compressor
