Mastering Engineer Idania Valencia Talks ‘Brat’ and Her Journey in Music

Explore the inspiring journey of Idania Valencia, a pioneering mastering engineer nominated for the Grammy for her work on Charli XCX’s album, ‘Brat’.

First Grammy Experience: A Surreal Moment

Idania Valencia, who hails from Mexico City, had never attended the Grammys before. This year, she was nominated twice for her incredible mastering work on Charli XCX's sixth studio album, Brat, released in 2024. Although she didn’t clinch a win, she describes the experience as “surreal.”

“For us mastering engineers, it’s very hard to get nominated,” Idania explains. “We can only get three categories—Album of the Year, Record of the Year, or Best Engineered Album. Even if you work on an album that gets nominated for anything else, we don’t get the nomination. So that’s why it was really surreal because you have to get one of the big ones to get the nomination.”

A Journey of Passion and Dedication

Despite being relatively new to the industry, Valencia has been working in music for over ten years. “It was very surprising and very exciting,” she says about her nomination. Her passion for music blossomed at the age of 14 when she began playing the piano and writing songs, prompting her to pursue degrees in music composition and production at the Academia de Música Fermata.

During her studies, she discovered her true passion lay in the production and engineering aspects of music, eventually realizing that mastering was where her heart truly belonged.

After obtaining her degree in music engineering in 2015, she landed an internship at Sterling Sound in New York City, eventually earning a coveted position on Tom Coyne’s production team, who is known for working with legends like Kool & the Gang and A Tribe Called Quest.

Mastering Music: What It Entails

What Does a Mastering Engineer Do?

“Mastering is the last step in post-production before a song comes out on the radio,” Idania explains.

Typically, the process begins with songwriters, artists, and producers collaborating to create a song. Once the production is complete, the song is sent to a mixing engineer to balance all the elements. That’s when it’s time for mastering engineers like Idania to step in.

Their job is to ensure the song is polished, professional, and ready for various formats—streaming, CD, or vinyl. “We also make sure that the volume and the level work for streaming, for CD, and for vinyl, so it can be produced through every medium and sound,” she elaborates.

Finding Her Way in the Industry

From Musician to Mastering Engineer

Idania shares that when she was a child, she never dreamed of becoming a mastering engineer; she wanted to be a musician. “A lot of us in the industry don’t really know that engineering exists until we start getting into music and see, wow, there’s a huge world out there,” she reflects.

At 14, she fell in love with music composition and, encouraged by her parents to have a backup plan, ventured into audio engineering and production. As her education progressed, she realized that she preferred the technical side of music, prompting her to specialize in mastering directly after college.

Developing a Critical Ear

How to Hone Your Listening Skills

“Experience is key,” Idania advises on developing a critical ear. Working at Sterling Sound, she has had the opportunity to assist in quality checks, leading to countless hours of listening to music. This has helped her recognize the nuances of sound, from different genres to editing errors.

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Field

Being a Woman of Color in Music Engineering

Idania stands out in her field as the only woman engineer at Sterling Sound. “Before me, there was Aya Merrill. She was one of my mentors,” she notes.

Despite the challenges, Idania sees a change on the horizon. “There are more and more women mastering engineers, but there’s still not that many,” she states. “I think the more girls and younger women see women like me, the more they will be interested in getting into these professions.”

The Buzz Around ‘Brat’

Recognizing Potential Hits

When asked if she knew *Brat* would be a hit, Idania acknowledges that while she loved the music, predicting success can be tricky. “I knew the music was incredible and really good, and I personally really liked it.”

Over her career, she has experienced both sides of the spectrum—working on songs she believed would blow up that didn’t, and vice versa. “But I knew this album was different. I mean, I’m a fan,” she admits.

Mixing Techniques: Digital vs. Analog

Mastering Equipment

The mastering process today utilizes both digital and analog technologies. “Mainly there’s a lot of digital mastering, but we still have the capacity to work with analog gear,” she explains.

Her day-to-day tasks involve using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) called Sequoia, where she processes songs through various stages: leveling, EQ, and limiting to enhance sound quality.

Impact of AI in Mastering

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

Idania acknowledges that AI is already making waves in the music industry. “There are some websites now where you can literally just input your song and it gets mastered with AI,” she describes.

While AI can assist in the mastering process, she believes it cannot replicate the artistry and personal touch that a seasoned engineer brings to the table. “The way you hear things is different,” she emphasizes.

Advice for Aspiring Engineers

Idania’s advice for those interested in mastering? “Try a little bit of everything.” The music industry is vast, and you might find a passion for aspects you hadn’t considered. She encourages aspiring engineers to pursue their dreams, regardless of any pushback they might face.

“Just believe in yourself,” she asserts.

FAQs:

• What is the main role of a mastering engineer? Mastering engineers prepare songs for release, ensuring they sound polished and cohesive across all listening platforms.
• How did Idania Valencia get into mastering? She pursued music studies and discovered her passion for audio engineering, eventually specializing in mastering.
• What kind of music does Idania master? She has worked with diverse artists including Charli XCX, Ariana Grande, and Coldplay.
• Is mastering done digitally or analog? It involves both methods, with many engineers using digital tools while retaining some analog equipment.
• How does AI affect mastering? AI can assist in mastering but lacks the artistic touch and nuanced understanding of a human engineer.

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