
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
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Credits
- Smithsonian Folkways Records
- Universal Music Group
- Sony Music Entertainment
- Totó La Momposina
- Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar
- Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto
- The Philadelphia Orchestra
- Los de Adentro
- Galy Galiano
- Cinq Music Group
- Antonio José
- Mauro Castillo
- Jens Lindeman
- Mike Bahía
- Christoph Eschenbach
- Juan Magan
- Luciano Pereyra
- Viernes Verde
- Dawn Tyler Watson
- Lara St.John
- Netherlands Chamber Orchestra
- Grupo Bahia & Hugo Candelario
- Gregorio Uribe
- Donny Caballero
- Eva Ruiz
- Ana Guerra
3 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client
Endorse José Pupo- check_circleVerified
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!
- check_circleVerified
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.
- check_circleVerified
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
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
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.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Anchor yourself with selective recordings before starting your day.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: It changes day by day. I could be working on a pop album after breakfast and a rock album before dinner.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I like both. Some analog gear can't do what a digital plugin can, and vice versa!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise radio-ready results, excellent communication, and a solid teamwork process.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That's something anyone and even AI can do better than a good pair of trained ears and years of experience.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What inspires you? What goals do you have with your music? Which artists do you follow?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Listen carefully to his or her discography and check their credits.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
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 ;-)
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
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.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
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.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Tom Elmhirst, Simon Rattle, Manny Marroquin, Steve Gadd, David Bowie, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
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.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Respectful of the music and production goals.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Jazz, Pop, Reggaeton, Latin, Rock, Classical, Cumbia, Folk, World.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: The way I listen to music before moving a single fader or making any type of decision.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Musicality and a compelling-competitive sound.
Q: What's your typical work process?
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.

I was the mastering engineer in this production
- Mastering EngineerAverage price - $80 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $400 per song
- Full instrumental productionContact for pricing
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
- Brad Mehldau
- Totó La Momposina
- Natalia Lafourcade
- 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!
10% discount on 5 tracks or more.