Meet Luis “Lu” Moreno of In The Mix Studios / MidSide Sound

Today we’d like to introduce you to Luis “Lu” Moreno.

Hi Luis “Lu”, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started playing the guitar with my friends when I was 17 years old at Eagle Rock Jr/Sr High School. Like many others in our field, I became passionate about making music and witnessing ideas transform from concepts into full-length recordings that we performed. My Mom gave me an acoustic guitar to begin learning, and as I improved, my Grandmother bought me my first electric guitar, both of which still hangs in my studio 15 years later. To enhance my skills, I took local guitar lessons with Raul Martinez at Ramona Hall, who helped me enjoy the learning process.

As I delved deeper into music, I developed a strong interest in recording and improving our sound quality. However, as 18-year-olds without a stable income, we couldn’t afford to record much initially. Fortunately, with support from friends like Jerry Mateo, who served as one of my first audio mentors, and family members like my uncle Pepe, who funded our recording sessions through a friend of his, I gained firsthand experience in making the process more effective. This eventually led me to immerse myself in the world of studio engineering and live sound.

To begin my journey, I sold my first half-stack amplifier and purchased a small portable recorder from Tascam at the local Guitar Center. Later on, I even worked there part-time as a sales assistant. Through learning and networking with others passionate about music, I managed to connect with people who significantly contributed to the advancement of my career beyond my initial expectations.

Around the age of 20, I opened my first production studio with a team called MIFLY. During that time, I closely collaborated with Royce Golden, who taught me invaluable lessons about navigating the industry. These lessons played a pivotal role in my success. Together with the team, we acquired a studio space adjacent to where Game (The Rapper), Yonni, Kadis, Jeremy, and other well-established individuals operated. Being the new kid on the block felt overwhelming, but I embraced the opportunity to learn from my accomplished neighbors. Not only did I have my own studio, but I could also observe and absorb knowledge from those around me.

Over the next four or so years, we had the privilege of working with artists like Dani Leigh, Jazzy Pha, Game, Mia, Jeremih, as well as numerous talented writers, producers, and musicians. Collaborating with these professionals and witnessing their workflow challenged me to grow quickly and gain a deeper understanding of what transpires behind closed doors. Simultaneously, I worked full-time at Sam Ash Music, pursued my education in engineering, and embarked on the early stages of my relationship with my wife. Although juggling 80-120 hours of work and school proved challenging, I can now confidently say it was worth it.

Fast forward 13 years in my career, I met my current business partner, Dee Kei. Together, we co-own In The Mix Studios and host the Mixing Music Podcast, which has become the top-ranked music post-production podcast worldwide. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of artists, including Keyshia Cole, Snoop Dogg, Lucky Daye, Ari Lennox, and many more. Shortly after turning 30, I received my first Gold Plaque for the song “All Me” by Kehlani ft. Keyshia Cole. Presently, I am involved in designing and constructing recording studios for TV networks, major label artists, and continue my work in mixing and mastering for all the artists I collaborate with. If I had told my 18-year-old self how far I would come, they would have thought I was joking. But the journey continues, and there is still much more to accomplish!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey wasn’t always smooth or enjoyable, and some lessons were initially painful, but they shaped my current business practices.

One crucial lesson I learned, though not fully at first, was the importance of balancing my career ambitions with maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially in my relationship with my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time. I was working full-time, attending night school, and running a studio during any free time I had. As a result, I didn’t give my partner the attention she truly deserved as my support system and source of comfort amid the stress. I realized I was neglecting my relationship, and that was the last thing I wanted. Our schedules didn’t align, and I rarely had dedicated time to spend with her. It reached a point where I didn’t have a single day set aside to be home with her. When faced with the choice of focusing solely on my career, I couldn’t see myself doing that. What good is an amazing career if the ones who stood by you are left behind? It’s not the story I would want to tell my future children.

I used to have a habit of saying yes to every gig that came my way, which consumed a significant amount of my time and energy. This constant cycle of accepting every opportunity often resulted in excessive stress and burnout. There were moments when I seriously considered quitting, but my wife understood the importance of my career and provided the encouragement I needed to persevere. Having someone who supports and believes in you is invaluable, and I realized I couldn’t let go of that. Eventually, I reached a point where I had to learn how to prioritize and find a better balance, and my wife served as a great source of inspiration for that.

This may seem unconventional, but hear me out. If you have found someone you deeply care about and believe they are the one you want to spend your time on Earth with, remember to prioritize and work just as hard for them as you do for your career. Your job can disappear overnight; that’s undeniable. You can always find another job, but finding a person who will support you through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad, is not as easy. Relationships may not be a priority for everyone, but I would choose my family over my career any day. I’m glad to say that my clients today respect that, and this has created a healthier balance between managing my career and personal life. Recently, I have made it a point not to work on Sundays, and if there are no urgent matters, I take Saturdays off as well! I don’t work past 8 pm most days, and I dedicate time to going to the gym with my wife and family 4-5 days a week. This approach has proven to be highly effective, and the financial difference between working anytime versus within my limited time shows that I can make the same amount of money. The clients who left were the ones who expected me to bend to their needs for unpleasant gigs like overnight sessions or who simply weren’t pleasant people. Those who stayed understand that I work just as hard, if not harder, due to our mutual respect for each other’s work and boundaries.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Today, I own In The Mix Studios, where we have two commercial recording studios and work as a mixing and mastering engineer, specializing in consulting and designing recording studios and creative spaces for renowned figures in Hollywood. Over the years, I have been involved in numerous studio build-outs and integrations, and I am currently actively working on around ten additional projects. While my public recognition primarily comes from my mixing and mastering services, long-term collaborators also seek my expertise as a consultant for studio investments and soundproofing requirements in future spaces.

If I had to choose a specific area of expertise, it would undoubtedly be mixing and mastering, as it is my greatest passion. Recently, I have had the opportunity to work on more radio-played songs than ever before, including tracks by artists such as Kehlani, Kiana Ledé, Terrace Martin, and many others. Additionally, I co-host the Mixing Music Podcast with my business partner, Dee Kei, where we have provided invaluable knowledge to hundreds of thousands of individuals interested in the audio industry, its technologies, and practices.

However, if I were to reflect on what makes me most proud, it would be the number of people I have helped establish successful careers within the walls of my studio. Witnessing some of these individuals travel the world or become trusted resources for other studios and professionals brings me immense joy. Many of them had no prior experience with recording software but have grown to become highly respected experts in their field. Being a part of my team’s growth and contributing to their achievements is a source of deep pride for me, surpassing any personal accolades I may have.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Looking back, I have countless favorite memories, but one that truly stands out is the carefree and joyful nature of my childhood. It’s important to acknowledge that my upbringing had its fair share of hardships and challenges, but as a child, the weight of bills, careers, and school didn’t overshadow the way I lived my life. Most children have the luxury of not worrying about these factors. I remember with fondness how much I loved activities like skating, surfing, and biking. All I wanted to do was spend time with my friends and engage in these exhilarating experiences. Learning to play the guitar holds a special place in my heart. There was an unparalleled sense of amazement when I mastered a new song, and the excitement it brought was simply indescribable. It wasn’t about being the best guitarist; it was about the pure happiness that came from playing one of my favorite songs. In that moment, everything else going on in my life seemed insignificant compared to the joy I felt. This memory encapsulates the essence of my childhood—the notion that being happy and having fun mattered more than anything else. As we grow older, it’s easy to become entangled in the relentless pursuit of success and the pressures of responsibility. However, it’s crucial not to lose sight of the importance of fun and simply enjoying the present moments that unfold before us.

Pricing:

• Studio A – 12hr Happy Hour Block Rate is $260
• Studio A – 6hr Happy Hour Block Rate is $195
• Studio B – 12hr Happy Hour Block Rate is $180
• Studio B – 6hr Happy Hour Block Rate is $100
• Mixing, Mastering & Lessons at www.MidSideSound.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MidSideSound.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masteredbylu/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000431417461
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MasteredByLu
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@MasteredbyLu
• Other: https://linktr.ee/masteredbylu