We're excited to present our first ever series featuring the eclectic grammy-winning engineer and producer Rafa Sardina! Hosted at his private Los Angeles studio, this installment focuses on the vibrant mix of 'Aquí Estoy Yo' by Diego Torres. Sardina takes you through his expansive yet highly efficient hybrid setup that comprises a SSL Duality console, Oracle summing mixer, Maselec master transfer console, outboard racks, and Pro Tools. He recalls the 2015 session, comments on the rough mix, and compares it to his own. He proceeds to reveal how he drastically enhanced the work sonically and emotionally, from both technical and artistic perspectives. Aside from sharing his mix methods refined over decades, Sardina ventures into discussion about career development, investing in analog gear, finding inspiration, working impulsively, and deciphering an artist's true vision for their record.

PART 1

00:22:42

Background, career development, workflow evolution, console specs, inspiration, vintage gear

PART 2

00:13:34

Session recall, emotional & sonic mindsets, taking notes, rough vs. final mix, hybrid system

PART 3

00:15:02

Routing, inserts, summing, master console, parallel compression, mix chain, headroom, gain staging

PART 4

00:18:57

Checking polarity, drum & bass treatment, buss processing, reverb types & settings

PART 5

00:14:09

Vocal de-essing, splitting parts, compressor parameters, adding dimension, automation, effects

PART 6

00:11:34

Processing order, console flexibility, key input, reverb compression, finishing a mix, recap

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