* I am currently undertaking a comprehensive redesign of this website aimed at providing a more detailed representation of my extensive work in the field of Audio Mastering, which has become a central focus of my career in recent years.
· Stereo · Digital · CD · Vinyl Premastering · Mix Consulting · Audio Repair ·
- Besides my activity as a guitarist, composer, performer, and independent label co-owner, I also provide top quality mastering services for digital, CD, and vinyl.
- I’ve got over 2 decades of dedicated experience in music creativity: composing, touring, recording, mixing, mastering, and producing original works. My ear, taste, and aesthetics have shaped my sonic signature and approach to mastering, the last step in music production which focuses on both enhancing the sonic and emotional impact of the music and providing rigorous quality control for its final destination medium and commercial release.
- Mastering began as a natural extension of my work as a recording artist, session engineer, and sound obsessed neurodivergent person. Having released over 50 albums myself, I bring the perspective of someone who lives on both sides of the glass. This dual experience informs every decision: understanding and commanding not only technical precision, but what serves the music and maximizes its expressive power.
- I work with a range of artists from different backgrounds, budgets, and across diverse genres, though my specialised focus lies in music that challenges and expands creative boundaries, often rooted in the rich traditions of Jazz, electro-acoustic, Musique Concrète, Electronic [from so-called IDM to drum & bass, Breakcore, Techno and beyond], avant-garde metal, Death metal, Free improvisation, Noise, western contemporary classical/New Music, and other “experimental” musics.
- Above all, I’m dedicated to delivering work that reflects and elevates the artistic vision of the clients and collaborators who come to me looking for meticulous quality control, thoughtful augmentation, and genuine sonic depth.
- When music leaves my studio, it’s ready to be shared with the world. That responsibility is one I take VERY seriously, and it’s also a process that I genuinely love and obsess about. Every project is an opportunity to contribute something meaningful, and I approach each one with care, honesty, and respect for the artist’s vision.
- My own mastered recordings have been played in radio stations all over the world and recognized by outlets including The Wire, Jazzwise, Stereogum, New York City Jazz Record, All About Jazz, RTVE Spain, Brooklyn Rail, and Avant Music News. Four of my albums appeared on “Best Albums” year-end lists, and I won the Conlon Nancarrow Award for Excellence in Music for my 2022 album Not Arbitrary.
Let’s connect and chat about your project and how I can contribute to making your work speak for itself and stand the test of time.
alvaroATalvarodomene.com
MASTERING FAQ
I would like you to master my music, how do I proceed?
Send me an email [alvaroATalvarodomene.com] and I will reply with details of how to transfer your mixes to me. Once I’ve received your files, I will master and deliver them as promptly as possible.
What guidelines should I follow when mixing my music before I send it for mastering?
Make your mixes sound as good as you possibly can. Verify that all of the sections in each piece sound how you want them and the balance of instruments is as you want it. If able, check them on several different playback devices, and also consider referencing them against music that you like, ideally level matched. I will then bring the very best out of them.
For creative purposes, I mix into compressor/imager/clipper/limiter on my master output channel. Should I keep the processing on or bypass before sending?
If you’ve been mixing into this processing and it’s part of the sonic and emotional identity of the track, leave it on. Simply verify that the highest peak is under 0dB.
However, if the mix preserves its cohesion after bypassing the imager/clipper and/or limiter, export that version and send it too. This will allow for the best results from me. If you’re not sure, let’s chat about it. We’ll find clarity and get to work.
Can you listen to my mixes and give me feedback to improve them before mastering?
Yes, I do offer mix consultations. Send me an email and we’ll discuss details so that we set up your mixes for a successful master.
What are the guidelines for mixes and what do I send to you?
- Mix down at 24-bit/32-bit floating point.
- Nothing over 0 dBFS on your master channel. The exact amount of headroom is not critical, as long as there is some.
- Export as WAV or AIFF, and at the same sample rate that the tracks were mixed.
- If you have alternative versions (a cappella, instrumental, radio edit, TV, etc) make sure you include them with the main mixes and that they’re otherwise identical.
- Don’t forget to name the files clearly.
- Include any notes which are important to your recording, as well as any metadata (ISRC codes, CD-Text, etc) that you’ll want encoded onto your masters.
Delivery formats
- Unless a different format is requested, the final mastered tracks will be delivered as WAV files at 16-bit/44.1 kHz, and also 24-bit at your native sample rate.
- DDP for CD, and/or vinyl sides can be supplied for an additional charge.
Turnaround Time
Most masters are delivered within 5 business days, depending on the project’s complexity and current workload.
Rates
Contact me to discuss your needs and desires and to receive a personalized quote for your mastering project.
What if I’m not happy with the master(s)?
- It’s unlikely but not impossible. Simply communicate what changes you would like and I’ll provide a new version addressing them.
- Revisions are free of cost. However, more than one revision is rarely required.
Can I hear some samples of your work?
Yes! Here’s a simple portfolio with 20 masters to give you a reference of what I can do
Partial list of audio engineering credits:
2026
- Quantum Dissent Álvaro Pérez & Álvaro Domene — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- All Day Sun Aura Scott Amendola & Álvaro Domene — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Darvo Machinæ II – Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Darvo Machinæ III – Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Raging in Beauty Ryan Albert Miller & Álvaro Domene – Recording, Mixing, Mastering
2025
- [Moon:dos] – 16 Javier Pedreira & Paloma Carrasco — Mastering
- ADAPAR – 3: Öpik Transmission — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Ryan Miller & Grant Pierce – Foretold Each Other — Mastering
- Spacetime – Live at UPAC — Mixing, Mastering
- Elements of Mutual Aid (Documentary Series, 4 episodes) — Composition, Orchestration, Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Escape Velocity Álvaro Pérez & Álvaro Domene — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Darvo Machinæ I — Álvaro Domene — Recording, Mixing
2024
- Javier Pedreira – Las Venas del Dragón — Mastering
- User Friendly & Álvaro Domene – EXU3DC — Co-production, Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Zodos – 4 — Production, Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Tom Law & Álvaro Domene – Warning Bells — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Pérez & Álvaro Domene – Standards — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Pérez & Álvaro Domene – Re-Entry — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – Collisions — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – Contradictions — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
2023
- Tom Law – Dispatch — Mastering
- Álvaro Pérez – For Three Altos — Mixing, Mastering
- Tituba – [Self-titled] — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- ADAPAR – 2 — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Zodos – Works for Alto Saxophone and Electric Guitar Vol. 3 — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Pérez & Álvaro Domene – Circumstellar — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – Rapid Influx — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
2022
- Ed Keller – Verwandlung-ther — Mastering
- Ed Keller – Verwandlung-Proze — Mastering
- ADAPAR – [Self-titled] — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – Torsion — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – Not Arbitrary — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – Heptad Vol. 3 — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
2021
- Zodos – Works for Alto Saxophone and Electric Guitar Vol. 1 — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Zodos – Works for Alto Saxophone and Electric Guitar Vol. 2 — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Ed Keller – Axon Petal Riot — Mastering
- Álvaro Pérez & Álvaro Domene – Radical Accretion — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – The Sword Still Hangs Upon the Wall — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – Heptad Vol. 2 — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
2020
- Killick Hinds & Álvaro Domene — Recording
- Álvaro Domene – Ilustris — Recording, Mixing, Mastering
- Álvaro Domene – Heptad Vol. 1 — Recording, Mixing