José Pupo

Analog Mixing & Mastering

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3 Reviews (3 Verified)
José Pupo on SoundBetter

Award-Winning mixing and mastering engineer with over 25 years of experience.

I'm a classically trained musician with an M.Mus. in Sound Recording.

I've received a Juno Award in the category of Blues Album of the Year, a Latin Grammy Certificate of Participation for Best Folk Album, and a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Cumbia/Vallenato album.

Se habla español.

Partial list of credits:
https://credits.muso.ai/profile/29ff12ae-2032-46cc-b3d8-10aceb2f3567
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jos%C3%A9-pupo-mn0001814298
https://www.discogs.com/artist/5759987-Jos%C3%A9-Pupo
https://www.discogs.com/artist/6859661-Jos%C3%A9-Leonardo-Pupo-D
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pupo-d-jos%C3%A9-leonardo-mn0002227294

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

Send me a note through the contact button above.

3 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

Endorse José Pupo
  1. Review by Juan Pablo Luna
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    Incredible work, as always. José Pupo has an exceptional ear and a deep musical sensibility that brings every project to life. A true pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!

  2. Review by Rob C.
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    by Rob C.
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    Had a great mastering experience with Jose. My master came out clean & clear and punchy. Great communication and great experience. Would work with Jose again.

  3. Review by Juan Pablo Luna
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    Working with José Pupo was a top-tier experience. His work clearly reflects years of experience—developing such refined taste and a musical ear takes time, and it shows in every detail. The quality of the final product is outstanding. You can really feel the careful, tasteful use of outboard gear; everything sounds rich, warm, and well-balanced. Highly recommended!

Interview with José Pupo

  1. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  2. A: I've been working surrounded by an Attack Wall by ASC Acoustics for many years now, and feel comfortable doing so. Both mixing and mastering processes are hybrid. For mixing, generally speaking, I compress using outboard gear only, and my two main reverbs are hardware. I do find that space and dynamic range are better controlled with outboard gear. EQ is mostly ITB except for the master bis, if needed.

  3. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  4. A: Anchor yourself with selective recordings before starting your day.

  5. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  6. A: It changes day by day. I could be working on a pop album after breakfast and a rock album before dinner.

  7. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  8. A: I like both. Some analog gear can't do what a digital plugin can, and vice versa!

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

  10. A: I promise radio-ready results, excellent communication, and a solid teamwork process.

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

  12. A: That's something anyone and even AI can do better than a good pair of trained ears and years of experience.

  13. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  14. A: What inspires you? What goals do you have with your music? Which artists do you follow?

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

  16. A: Listen carefully to his or her discography and check their credits.

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

  18. A: A pair of ATC speakers, Sony MDR-CD900ST headphones, Avocet IIA Monitor Controller, Lavry SAVITR AD Converter, and my ASC Attack Wall - I'm just gonna say I consider the Attack Wall to be gear ;-)

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

  20. A: I started playing organ and then jumped into different instruments such as oboe, bassoon, drums and classical percussion. Then I jumped into a recording studio and never looked back. I have over 25 years of experience.

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

  22. A: I'm fortunate enough to say I already did. I always dreamt of working with The Philadelphia Orchestra, and luckily assisted during a recording. Years later, I edited some works. Why? Because it was my dad's favorite orchestra, and a Colombian-raised violinist was named conductor in residence. It was my dad's violin teacher's son.

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

  24. A: Tom Elmhirst, Simon Rattle, Manny Marroquin, Steve Gadd, David Bowie, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett.

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

  26. A: Besides feeling comfortable mastering every single genre of music, I mix jazz and world music albums as well as Indie and Latin music bands. I also do lots of classical music recordings.

  27. Q: How would you describe your style?

  28. A: Respectful of the music and production goals.

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

  30. A: Jazz, Pop, Reggaeton, Latin, Rock, Classical, Cumbia, Folk, World.

  31. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  32. A: The way I listen to music before moving a single fader or making any type of decision.

  33. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  34. A: Musicality and a compelling-competitive sound.

  35. Q: What's your typical work process?

  36. A: I always ask the client if they have an specific music reference to make sure we're going on the same direction. I love to make sure in advance that I understand the artist's need and expectations.

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Enthusiasts-Love boat

I was the mastering engineer in this production

Terms Of Service

Mixing
Fee does not include vocal tuning, editing, or programming.
Up to 3 revisions

Mastering
I'm happy when you're happy.
Mastering of alternative mixes $10

GenresSounds Like
  • Brad Mehldau
  • Totó La Momposina
  • Natalia Lafourcade
Gear Highlights
  • Lavry Gold SAVITR - ATC Speakers - Manley Massive Passive - Crane Song Avocet & STC-8/M - Hapi & Lynx AD/DAs - SSL Sigma - Bricasti M7 - Chandler Ltd. 660 - ASC AttackWall - other pieces of gear
  • stomp boxes and many plugins!
More Photos
More SamplesMastering and Mixing
SoundBetter Deal

10% discount on 5 tracks or more.

  • 2023 Latin Grammy nominationSep 29, 2023

    Gregorio Uribe "Hombre Absurdo". Best cumbia/vallenato album.