Mixing Engineer and Producer

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

A: Lets make sure we connect and work our chemistry first. Even if I do not have the right "chops" you expected, we could both hire that virtuoso person later.

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

A: A desert island has no music industry so: 1 sleeping bag, and 4 boxes of matches. But if you mean a empty room ( with power) in Manhattan: 1 mac Laptop computer with all my audio software, 1 Apogee Quartet interface, 1 Newman 103 mic, 1 Taylor electroacoustic guitar and a 3 octave keyboard controller.

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

A: I have been singing, songwriting , engineering and producing for 30 years. I started with a rock band when I was 14. Studied music and guitar throughout my career and then finished Sound Engineering and Music in MDC College ( South Florida)

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I am definitely Pop oriented, but the studio work has made me appreciate all genres of music.

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

A: My work experience extends from Latin Pop , Urban and Tropical music to anglo Urban, Folk, Pop and Rock. I am Venezuelan born, so my first language is spanish, but I am fluent enough in english to create songs and use my Latin influence in a positive way. I have been able to translate english songs into spanish for artists like The Backstreet Boys, and N'SYNC since 1996.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Arturo Sandoval feat Pharrell Williams, Prince Royce feat Chris Brown, Prince Royce feat Shakira, and many other independent artists.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Equally strong as a songwriter and Record / Mix engineer. (5 Grammys and multiple nominations)

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I am an experienced and Grammy awarded professional songwriter so I care about THE SONG. No gadget will turn your song into a Hit. So creating and polishing a good song is my priority. Once if the Song is there, then we use the right toys and the team to make it happen.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: As a seasoned songwriter and producer I care for the whole process. From the creation and polishing of a Hit song to the pre-production and production. Choosing the right team of musicians and programmers based on the genre at hand, Never a cookie cutter.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: State of the Art private mixing and recording setup on Dual Platforms ( Mac and PC) Protools 12, Cubase 8.5, FL 12 studio and other software. Very extensive plug in library, and state of the art analog and digital hardware including: Trinity word clock, SSL modified digital converters, SPL summing amp, API and Millenia pre's and Compressors, to name a few. We have an extensive mic collection and a comfortable mid size recording booth.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog is a recording art as it is a color of sound. Digital is also a recording art and has a different color of sound. So, what exactly are you asking for?

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

A: We will always deliver a product with a top industry standard of quality. Success and fame are trades that I do not control.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: being creative 24 hours a day.

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

A: That as a producer I am some kind of Genie, or music magician. But then again, miracles SOMETIMES happen.

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

A: MIXING Spiff feat Prince Royce & Chris Brown . It just recently Hit 2X Platimun, but it was very challenging because they are Mega artist form different genres of music Latin and R&B/POP. The mix had to be a combination of the two, so the arrangement had to be just right.

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

A: no, I just found you in the net..I think this is wonderful ! I will come back to you later on that !

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

A: I want a hit song, > great ! lets try to make it happen ! I want to be famous > do you have a million dollars for promo?

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What are you searching for in the music business? what motivates you to be an artist?

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

A: John Mayer: I Think he is an all around incredible talent.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Make sure you have a tested good headphone mix and Microphone setup before starting to record vocals for any artist. You have no idea how much this affects their mood and interpretation. Do everything possible to have this artist "singing in the clouds". Your production will be benefited 100%

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

A: Lately my inspiration comes from many sources since urban music has finally merged with Pop in a very unique way. Producers like: Max Martin, Timbaland, Benny Blanco, and engineers like Justin Nieback, Al Schmitt, and Dave Pensado.

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

A: Songwriter, Record and mixing Engineer and Music Producer.