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Rafa Sardina
engineer l mixer l producer l musician


Rafa Sardina at After Hours, Woodland Hills, CA
photo: Ed Freeman

History: Ten-time Grammy Winner mixer/engineer and producer Rafa Sardina is best known for his eclectic credits in pop/rock, Latin and R&B genres with some of the world's top artists to include: Stevie Wonder, Macy Gray, Esthero, Dr. Dre, Dru Hill, Jessy Moss, Mariah Carey, Luis Miguel, Sheryl Crow, Soul Coughing, Marc Antoine, Angie Stone, Beyonce Knowles, Shakira and Alejandro Sanz, among others.

Sardina is an LA based BMI artist whose passion for sound began when he was doing live sound for folk, world and jazz music in Northern Spain and the South of France. As a musician (bass and guitar) he connects easily with artists and has tremendous respect for creating a vibe that's performance-friendly for both new and established talent alike.

He served his engineering apprenticeship at Hollywood's famed Ocean Way and Record One studios after which he became an independent by landing his first gig with Warner mega star Luis Miguel. He has since collaborated with him on more than 7 albums. Additionally, he has worked with numerous high-profile artists and producers including Dr. Dre, Camara Kambon, Lulo Perez, Babyface, Don Was, Scott Litt and David Foster.

In 2006 Rafa opened After Hours, a state-of-the art studio equipped with new SSL AWS 900 and Pro Tools HD, great selection of mics and gear, suitable for tracking and mixing sessions to satisfy his time-conscious clients. As a musician and producer Rafa connects easily with artists and has tremendous respect for creating a studio vibe that's performance-friendly for both new and established talent. Rafa has had the pleasure of working with top flight musicians including Vinnie Colaiuta, Luis Conte, Michael Landau, Anthony Jackson, to name a few.

In February 2006, Sardina received his 10th Grammy at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards.
Also in 2006 received a Best-engineered album Latin Grammy for his work on Alejandro Sanz' "No Es Lo Mismo".

Rafa's work stays true to his philosophy. "I'm there to make sure the artist is having fun.
I like to see my work much like a photographer's, as transparent as possible when required but always with the creative edge with a positive focus on the song and performance. To achieve that goal, I like to create a comfortable and inspiring environment using the best acoustics and tools available. I enjoy working with surround sound - it's always about the listening experience."


Sardina recorded the Grammy nominated live release “Vivo” by Warner artist Luis Miguel.  The live album is recorded both for CD and 5.1 DVD release.  Sardina completed tracks for HBO’s new movie “Dancing in September, mixed in 5.1, it debuted at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival prior to being televised. He tracked a remake of the Earth, Wind & Fire song “Reasons”  with Arista artist Angie Stone. Sardina finished recording and mixing "Mis Romances" (multi-platino) by international artist, Luis Miguel and mixed 10 songs with producer/composer Juan Carlos Paz Y Puente for Warner Latina's newest young singer, Manuel Romero. Sardina worked on Luis Miguel Romance Series (hits from the 4 releases) plus 2 brand new tracks and DVD bonus with 7 videos for a limited edition rlease on Wea. Intl.

He has collaborated with long-time friend/producer Camara Kambon, recording and mixing various artists for Dreamworks to include the film, Biker Boys. Sardina engineered the entire Alejandro Sanz cd “No es lo mismo” for Warner Intl. which has gone Platinum in its first week of release! The CD was co-produced with Lulo Perez and Alejandro Sanz. Sardina recorded the entire album for contemporary jazz artist Marc Antoine's "Meditteraneo" on Rendez Vous Records, and mixed for Luis Miguel's CD, "33". Sardina is producing and developing new artists including Flamenco pop artist "Hector Dona, pop/latin singer/songwriters "Carina Ricco", "YeYe" and Ana Pozas for Dro East/West. He recently completed work for Lionsgate picture, Madea's Family Reunion (Tyler Perry film) with collaborators Elvin Ross and Camara Kambon. The tracks were recorded in New Orleans and mixed at After Hour Studios in California.He mixed Luis Miguel's 2006 Christmas CD, Navidad. He also mixed for Alejandro Sanz' digital releases on Warner Intl in conjunction with his new CD release in Nov titled: El Tren De Los Momentos. Rafa is in the studio developing new material for a new alternative rock singer/songwriter. Sardina is often invited as panelist including at last October's Latin music-focused "Producers Roundtable" presented by BMI/Billboard/Gibson. The panel moderated by Billboard's Ayala Ben-Yehuda and featured: KC Porter, Mark Portmann, Homero Patrón, Sebastian Krys and Kiko Cibrian.


L-R: Rafa with artists/producers
Lulo Perez and Alejandro Sanz & at Miami Criteria Studios; Rafa micing at Cello Studios

Current credits
: 
Look for releases from Dublin singer/songwriter, Gerry Scullion "Hide & Seek" due out May 1, produced, recorded and mixed at After Hours in Los Angeles. "We crossed paths with Gerry when a trusted musician recommended him. Working with him is quite exhilarating. He's a very prolific singer/songwriter. This album is a collaboration with many great musicians and my friend, fabulous arranger and co-producer, Cheche Alara".

Sardina recorded vocals for New York's Three Graces (Joy, Kelly and Sara) who have come together to form, a stunning new trio that blends Opera, Pop and Broadway tunes. The CD is released on Decca, and produced by Mark Portmann (Barbra Streisand).

Rafa produced Warner artist Mariana Ochoa's latest release including the duet with Alex Ubago. Alejandro Fernandez' latest album on Sony Music for a 5.1 release, which includes a duet with Beyonce Knowles; and collaborated with Cheche Alara for DREW SEELEY's work from "High School Musical". Sardina also engineered and mixed tracks for Alejandro Sanz including his latest collaboration with Shakira.

"My studio philosophy is simple - I'm there to make sure the artist is having fun. I like to create a comfortable and inspiring environment using the best acoustics and tools available".




watch the interview here - Rafa talks with George Shilling at Abbey Road Studios
Courtesy of Record Prdouction, Babblefish and studioexpresso
To view download FREE Real One Player here!

PRESS
Modern Mixing Dilemmas -- Blair Jackson MIX Interview with Sardina Feb 2006
short version posted here
Rafa talks about the process of working for film

EQ "Session File" (June '02) - Read here! Rafa talks with Lisa Roy at Cello Studios
Studio Sound Cover (Oct '01) story --- Read here!



Rafa is pleased to provided endorsements for Audio Technica, DUY Plug-ins , JBL LSR line of professional studio speakers, Apogee AD 8000 SE Special Edition and Trak2.

... read more on manufacturer web sites (click on the icons above):
" I listened to all the competing converters before choosing Apogee and it was clear that they sounded the best. Love the converters, mic pre's and Track2."

"DUY's DaD Tape and Valve are the analogue juice for my ProTools mixes"
"JBL LSR28P and LSR25P’s translate well in the real world and are my first choice for studio monitors, period.”

“These days I use the Audio-Technica AT4060 and AT4050 more than any other mics in my collection. They are such warm-sounding mics, but with the right amount of bite.”

 
Rafa Sardina takes the Grammy for Best Engineer at the 5th Latin Grammy Awards, Los Angeles for his work with Alejandro Sanz.

Contact:


818-990-3031 f
818-990-3361 fx
claris@studioexpresso.com
Visit us at
: http://www.Rafasardina.com

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