Profesional Mixing & Mastering

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

A: One project we’re especially proud of is 'Donna,' a track featuring the incredible singer-songwriter Zem, where we handled mixing and mastering to bring out its full potential. Another milestone is 'Dónde Está?' and 'Tengo La Llama,' two tracks we mixed and mastered for Atlanta producer Xztho’s group Party With The Animals. These projects showcase our ability to refine every detail and ensure the final product is polished and professional. We also take pride in earlier work, like 'Cuando Pienso En Ti,' a groundbreaking R&B-Hip Hop fusion in Spanish for the Latin American market. This track became the first of its kind, marking the beginning of a new genre for the audience and further solidifying our expertise in crafting unique, genre-defying mixes. Our experience spans across various genres, and each project reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful mixes and masters. We focus on pushing boundaries to help artists achieve their vision, making each track a lasting piece of art.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment, we’re collaborating with an Atlanta-based producer, continuing a long-standing partnership to deliver polished, high-quality tracks. In addition to this, we work with clients who come to us through word-of-mouth—returning artists who trust our expertise and dedication. Beyond these ongoing projects, we’re expanding our reach on platforms like SoundBetter to connect with new artists and offer top-tier mixing and mastering services. Our focus is on building meaningful collaborations and helping every client achieve their creative vision with professional, standout results.

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

A: Currently, we haven't collaborated with other professionals on SoundBetter, so we don't have specific recommendations at this time. However, SoundBetter hosts a vast network of talented individuals, and we're open to exploring potential collaborations in the future.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Our approach depends on the project, but we work with both and often prefer a hybrid setup. We typically start in digital for its flexibility and precision, laying the groundwork with a clean, efficient workflow. Once everything is in control, we take it through the wire to get "caliente" —transitioning to analog to bring that warmth, depth, and undeniable funky character that only analog gear can deliver. By combining the best of both worlds, we ensure your track has the precision of digital with the soulful, vibrant touch of analog, achieving the highest quality sound.

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

A: Our promise to our clients is unwavering dedication to your vision. We commit to understanding your goals and bringing them to life with care, creativity, and precision. Every detail matters, and we go above and beyond to ensure your project meets the highest standards of quality and professionalism. Your success is our priority, and we work tirelessly to deliver a final product that not only reflects your vision but exceeds your expectations. When you work with us, you can trust that your music is in the hands of a team as passionate about it as you are.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: What we like most about our work is the creative process—taking a track, no matter how raw, and refining it into a polished, professional piece of art. Every step, from balancing and enhancing sounds to solving unique challenges, is deeply rewarding. The ultimate satisfaction comes when we deliver the final product and see how proud our clients are of their music. Helping bring their vision to life and ensuring it’s something they can truly feel proud of makes every effort worthwhile.

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

A: Clients often ask how long the process will take. Our answer is that it depends on the complexity of the project. Mixing typically takes 1–2 days, while mastering is often completed within a day. Revisions and feedback may extend the timeline, but we always prioritize delivering quality results efficiently. Another common question is whether we can match the sound of a specific reference track. We aim to achieve a similar vibe while ensuring the track retains its unique character and stays true to the client’s vision. Clients also ask about our creative input. We adapt to their preferences—whether taking the lead to shape the sound or strictly following their direction within industry standards. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the track and deliver the best possible outcome.

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

A: The biggest misconception about what we do is that the process is effortless. In reality, achieving a professional mix and master requires collaboration, clear communication, and a strong artistic vision. Our role is to refine, enhance, and elevate the music, ensuring it reaches its full potential. With the right raw materials and teamwork, we can create something truly remarkable, and delivering that level of quality is always our goal.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: When working with prospective clients, we start by getting to know their vision and goals for the project. For mixing and mastering, key questions include: Do you have a reference track to help define your target sound? What genre are you aiming for, and are there any specific elements you'd like highlighted in the mix? We also ask about the technical details: How many tracks are in the session? Are there any issues you'd like us to address, such as muddy vocals or unbalanced instruments? We also offer drum or sound replacement services if you’re not happy with the current sounds or if they don’t match the track’s overall vibe. While these questions guide our process, we keep the conversation flexible and organic, ensuring the project evolves naturally and aligns with your artistic intent.

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

A: Our advice for customers looking to hire a provider like us is to trust the process and commit to seeing the project through, even if doubts arise along the way. A great provider doesn’t just bring technical expertise—they offer vision, adaptability, and guidance to navigate creative challenges. At Octave Group, we collaborate closely with clients, refining and elevating their ideas into results they can be proud of. Choose a team that not only understands your goals but also helps you push beyond what you thought was possible.

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

A: If we were stranded on a desert island, we'd bring a laptop, headphones, and the BaxEQ—because even castaways need great sound. Of course, we’d also pack water and a machete. How else are we going to cut coconuts while mixing tracks under a palm tree?

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

A: Octave Group’s expertise is rooted in decades of passion for music and sound. With a foundation in Puerto Rico’s music scene and years of experience in mixing and mastering, we bring a deep understanding of audio quality to every project. From early beginnings as DJs and producers to a decade focused solely on mixing and mastering, our team combines technical precision with creative vision to deliver tracks that exceed expectations. Every song is treated with care and attention to detail, ensuring it sounds its absolute best.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Our style is defined by precision, creativity, and a touch of funkiness, ensuring your tracks reach their full potential. We emphasize the balance, depth, and clarity of each mix and master, shaping the final product to complement your unique sound. What sets us apart is our ability to listen deeply to the essence of your music. We approach each project with the mindset of enhancing its core elements, imagining the final result first and working backward to ensure cohesion and impact. This method allows us to create mixes and masters that feel authentic to your artistry while standing out in any setting.

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

A: We would love to work with unknown artists—the ones who feel they don’t fit into any category or, as we say in Spanish, no quieren ser encasillados. These artists often bring fresh perspectives and unfiltered creativity, which can lead to groundbreaking music. We thrive on collaborating with those who bring bold, even extreme ideas to the table, refining and enhancing their vision while preserving their essence. Additionally, we’d love the opportunity to work with established artists like 21 Savage, whose potential as a rapper continues to grow, and Jorja Smith, whose stunning voice and artistry still have room to evolve. On the Latin side, Eladio Carrión stands out for his ability to craft timeless music that resonates across generations. Collaborating with such diverse talents allows us to push boundaries and create music that leaves a lasting impact.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: One music production tip we can share is this: once you’re locked in on an idea, commit to it fully and see it through to the end. Even if it’s not exactly what you envisioned, you’ll end up with a complete product you can be proud of—something that reflects your effort and creativity. You can always start fresh with a new idea, but take pride in what you’ve created. The key is to embrace the process, enjoy the experience, and have fun creating or performing. When you truly enjoy the journey, it shines through in the final result.

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

A: We primarily work on Hip Hop, Trap, Reggaeton, Afrobeat, and Latin House, but we’re experienced in mixing and mastering tracks across a wide range of genres. Our focus is on enhancing the unique character of your music, ensuring it sounds polished and professional while maintaining the essence of your artistic vision. Whether it’s balancing intricate layers in a mix or achieving optimal tonal clarity in mastering, we strive to make your music stand out on any platform.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Our strongest skill lies in perseverance and unwavering attention to detail, paired with a firm commitment to achieving the intended target. If time and budget allow, we go above and beyond to perfect every aspect of the track. When constraints arise, our creativity and resourcefulness come into play—transforming challenges into opportunities for innovation. Additionally, our ability to adapt and collaborate ensures that every project not only meets expectations but also delivers a unique, professional sound that resonates with the audience.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: We bring a polished and professional sound to every song we work on, backed by a commitment to quality and attention to detail. If a track doesn’t align with your vision or needs additional refinement, we’ll communicate openly to ensure your time and expectations are respected. Once the vibe and target are set, we strive to exceed expectations by focusing on precision and creativity. From meticulously balancing every element in the mix to enhancing dynamics and clarity in the master, we prioritize every detail to elevate your track. Our goal is to ensure your music reaches its fullest potential and stands out across all platform

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Our typical work process begins with a detailed conversation to understand the client’s vision, target sound, and any specific references they have for their track. Once we have the stems, we begin by organizing and prepping the session to ensure every element is ready for a seamless workflow. During the mixing stage, we balance levels, enhance clarity, and apply EQ, compression, and effects to bring out the best in every track. We focus on ensuring that vocals, instruments, and other elements complement each other, creating a cohesive and polished sound. Special attention is given to dynamics, panning, and spatial effects to achieve depth and impact. In the mastering stage, we refine the mixed track to achieve professional loudness, tonal balance, and clarity across all playback systems. Our hybrid analog-digital setup adds warmth and character, ensuring the track is optimized for streaming platforms, radio, or any distribution format. Throughout the process, we maintain open communication, sharing updates and progress to ensure the client’s satisfaction. We typically deliver projects within 1–2 days, depending on complexity, and include up to two revisions to perfect the final result.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Our studio setup is a hybrid environment designed for precision and creativity. Located in an acoustically treated space, it features three sets of monitors and professional headphones to ensure accurate sound monitoring. We primarily work with industry-standard DAWs like Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Pro Tools, offering flexibility for various project needs. Our tools include guitar pedals, tape machines, and FX rack units—such as distortion, reverb, chorus, bass exciters, and bit reducers—to add unique textures to every project. High-quality audio interfaces from MOTU and UAD ensure seamless performance and professional-grade results. Every aspect of our studio is tailored to bring out the best in your music while maintaining a creative and collaborative approach.

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

A: Several producers and music professionals inspire our approach to music production and engineering. Dr. Dre’s relentless attention to detail and precision in every production serves as a benchmark for quality. Rick Rubin’s ability to create an iconic catalog of hits without a traditional musical background highlights the importance of vision and instinct. Timbaland’s innovative grooves have revolutionized the perception of rhythm, pushing boundaries in creative sound design. Sergio George’s work in salsa, maintaining its tumbao while introducing fresh, smooth elements, showcases the power of evolution within a genre. Producer 40’s redefinition of hip-hop has brought a fresh, emotive sound to the forefront of modern music. Finally, Luca Pretolesi’s expertise in achieving loud, dynamic tracks while preserving sonic integrity reflects the high standards we aim to meet in all our projects.

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

A: The most common work we do for our clients is mixing and mastering, where we seamlessly combine technical expertise with artistic precision. Our mixing process involves balancing levels, enhancing clarity, applying EQ, compression, and effects to bring out the best in each element of the track. Once the mix is complete, we finalize it through our analog chain during the mastering process to ensure the final product reflects the highest quality, cohesiveness, and artistic intent of your music.