Peter Catalano on SoundBetter

My goal is to deliver timeless sound recordings for my clients.

Peter Catalano is a professional music producer and mixing engineer based outside Atlanta, Georgia, where he owns and operates Casi Infinito Studios - a private studio designed for independent artists and bands seeking exceptional work. With more than 15 years of hands-on studio experience, Peter began his career in 2007 as an intern at Killingsworth Recording Company on Long Island, New York. Since then, he has honed his craft to deliver timeless recordings and professional mixing services that elevate artists' careers. His goal is simple yet ambitious: to transform "almost infinite" tracks into timeless sound recordings - polished, emotive, and built to last. What sets Peter apart in the world of audio mixing services and music production is his client-focused approach. He charges by the song (including full mixing), freeing artists from the pressure of the clock so they can concentrate purely on their music.

Peter has worked with: Sarah and the Safe Word, The Carolyn, Islander, This Is Hell, Modern Ghosts, Rough Dreams, The Killakee House, Heathersett, Shoegazers, The Canines, Misty Eyed, and more.

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Credits

Endorse Peter Catalano1 Reviews

by Andrew Patrick
Working with Peter Catalano has been one of the most important creative relationships I’ve had. He approaches production with a level of care and commitment that goes far beyond what you’d expect. Peter doesn’t just “work on” songs, he fully invests in them. He’s the kind of producer who work on an idea until it feels undeniable, who will sit with the details longer than anyone else, and who genuinely wants the end result to stand the test of time. His taste is sharp, his instincts are strong, and he knows when to push and when to step back. That balance is rare.

Interview with Peter Catalano

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I've been working with the Atlanta punk/pop punk band, The Carolyn, for almost a decade. These guys are my brothers, and we've truly grown together as both musicians, producers, and as people. I've been involved in almost every aspect of the band’s creative process and feel like a member of the band on an emotional and commitment level. It's been an honor growing with them, and the best is yet to come for them.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm currently finishing up a few songs with a new pop punk band out of Athens, GA called Modern Ghosts. Finishing up two new summer singles for The Carolyn. And then head into pre-production with Phantom Dan (Athens, GA) for their debut LP and the same for The Carolyn's 4th album, which we will begin working on this summer.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I'm new to the platform and I am excited to dive in. Overall, selecting a producer/mixer that you vibe with and have a great creative relationship with is the most important part of this process.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. It's about the artist’s vision and understanding how to bring that to life. Regardless of analog or digital, the music needs to provoke an emotional response to the listener. That is ultimately the goal of making music. This can be achieved with both analog and digital technology. The song and melodies matter more than the gear.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: My promise to my clients is that I will invest in the project as if it were my own band or music. I will push you to achieve greatness and hold myself to the same standard. We will collaborate and work on the songs to make them the best they can possibly be while maintaining the agreed-upon budget for your work.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: It's an honor to bring someone's art to life, and it's a privilege I do not take lightly. Being an artist is difficult, and it’s a more challenging job to bring the most vulnerable stage (making music) to life.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: I receive questions often about gear, philosophy, and rates (as expected). I am unique in that I charge by the song and not the hour, which artists seem to really appreciate so they aren't concerned about going over budget or limiting their creative process. I also get asked about their music and how I feel about its commercial viability. I will always be 100% honest with my clients and also remind them music is a subjective art and I could be wrong either way!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: I think many artists think modern technology = magic, and sure, there are incredible things that can be done with a computer. However, the melodies matter more than anything. Great songs have great melodies. The structures are more simple to get down, but melody must guide all creative decisions in music.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I tend to ask a lot of creative questions around their vision, songwriting process, philosophical beliefs on music, production, melodies, etc. It's also vital to understand where they'd like me to exist within the project so that clearly boundaries and expectations are set on both sides before we start working together.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Ask me the tough questions. Check out my portfolio - it's real and not fabricated. Make sure that my style and philosophy on audio is right for you and your project. All of this matters more than what plug-in I may or may not use.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Neve 1073, LA-2A, Pultec EQ, Blue Bottle, Vox AC30. Let's make a hit record.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been actively working with artists for over 15 years. I started off as an intern on Long Island back in the good old days of the Northeast emo and hardcore wave. After interning, I've worked in multiple studios on the East Coast and have since settled with my private studio outside of Atlanta, GA, for the last 10 years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I feel I am the perfect blend between old-school and new-school when it comes to audio. I grew up listening to records before Pro Tools but only learned how to make records on Pro Tools. I like to think of the computer as an advanced tape machine - the technology exists to do a lot of great things, but the songs and tones matter on the way in more than ever.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Dynamics matter. And dynamics are more than just compression. It's about finding the right structure for your song that complements the melody in a way that provokes an emotional response by the listener. Plug-ins help bring that vision to life, but plug-ins do not make that happen inherently. Songs matter first - production comes second.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I typically work with punk, rock, indie, new wave, hardcore, and metalcore artists in a producing, mixing, or mastering capacity.. This is where my passion and experience mostly reside. But I am truly open to any genre or style in which the artist feels my process can bring their music to life in an emotional and timeless way. The song and melodies matter more than the genre to me.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My clients work with me because of my ability to translate what they're looking to achieve in their minds into an emotional, timeless, sound recording. That is what I am most interested in doing - working on music that will provoke an emotional response by the listener for years to come. I also rock at the low end - bass guitar matters!
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Passion, hard work, and honesty. I will be 100% honest with you about how I feel about your music and provide detailed explanations. But remember, music is a subjective art. I could be wrong either way! Regardless, I will work fearlessly to achieve your vision and work to exceed your expectations.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Regardless of whether I am producing,engineering, mixing, or mastering, I like to spend time getting to know the artist to better understand their vision and aspirations for their art. That means a lot to me. Once we have an understanding for each other and deem it a good fit, we dive into the process. Every project is different. What matters most is that boundaries and expectations are clearly communicated and agreed upon before the project begins.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use Pro Tools as my core DAW. I have a bunch of different gear from all the name brands - Neve, API, etc. I'm a huge fan of AudioScape and have a variety of their gear - it feels like the real thing to me. I'm a fan of both real guitar amps (Marshall and VOX) as well as amp sims (ToneHub, UA, Canvas Audio, etc.). My Barefoot Monitors are awesome and provide a lot of clarity when mixing. I have way too many plug-ins - it's a problem! Overall, I mostly use the same gear as many of the greats do. But again, the songs and melodies matter more than the gear!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: My story isn't totally unique. I worship the greats - Jerry Finn (RIP), Rob Cavallo, Tom-Lord Alge, Chris-Lord Alge, Tedd Hut, John Feldmann, Will Yip, etc. On the more up-and-coming next-level producers/mixers, I’m a huge fan of Jon Markson and Brett Romnes and all the amazing work they do for the modern punk/emo scene. Also a big fan of Jason Livermore and The Blasting Room sounds for modern punk rock. I strive to learn something new every day in the studio business - and these folks make it easy to do.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I typically work with punk, rock, indie, new wave, hardcore, and metalcore artists in a producing, mixing, or mastering capacity.. This is where my passion and experience mostly reside. But I am truly open to any genre or style in which the artist feels my process can bring their music to life in an emotional and timeless way. The song and melodies matter more than the genre to me.