Today we’d like to introduce you to Cris Cordero.
Hi Cris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started writing music and playing instruments around the age of 11 or 12. Shortly after that my parents bought me a 4 track tape recorder and I started developing an interest in recording. Throughout my teens I used the 4 track to record my songs and other local bands that I knew. While I was playing in bands I was fortunate to record in professional studios with talented engineers and my interest in recording continued to grow. In 2002 when I was 20 years old I got my first audio interface that I could use with a computer. At the time it was pretty new technology to be able to record on a computer. During my 20’s I continued to learn about recording through various websites and recording magazines. TapeOp magazine was a great resource for that. When I was 29 years old I took a course for recording and production at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, Ca. I learned how to be a proper engineer and the fundamentals of audio engineering and music production. Over the years I continued working with artists and recording my own music and I also got a job teaching and working as a studio tech at the Musician’s Institute. During covid I moved to Eugene, Oregon and built a studio in my downstairs den. I continue to work with artists locally and online. I also release and produce my own music under the name Saw Tooth Wave. I also work as a composer and have had my music in multiple TV shows over the years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been lots of ups and downs over the course of my journey. In my younger years I struggled with alcohol use. I quit drinking in 2018 and that made my life a lot more stable. It is definitely difficult when you’re starting out as an audio engineer trying to find clients and work. Working for the Musician’s Institute was a great way for me to gain more experience and knowledge while still making a living. After I moved to Oregon it was like a reset in the progress of gaining clients and freelance work. Over the last six years I’ve worked really hard to get my studio and my name out to the local community and have been getting work on a more consistent basis.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a recording artist, audio engineer and producer. I write, produce and engineer music for myself and for other people. Lately I’ve been getting more attention for my project Saw Tooth Wave which is my own original music. I’ve had some viral videos on Instagram and TikTok over the last year which helped bring lots of new listeners to my music. I also help other artists record and produce their own music, often playing multiple instruments on their recordings. I’m proud of some of the recent work I’ve done with some local artists here in Oregon though the songs have yet to be released and are still in the process of being finished.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Some early mentors I’ve had have been audio engineers and producers. Ronny Mikkelsen, who is a danish audio engineer and producer, gave me some of my first paying gigs after I finished school and we made some great music together. Label owner and songwriter Eric Corne was my recording techniques teacher and I got some of my first teaching gigs after he requested I sub some of his classes. Grammy winning audio engineer and producer Carlos DelaGarza recorded a record for my band in 2004 and helped guide me in setting up my first studio, giving me advice on what gear to get. My wife has been a huge supporter of my goals and continues to believe in me and support my goals as a producer and artist. My two children have also been a big inspiration for me to follow my artistic and creative dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hosrecordingstudio.com www.sawtoothwave.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saw_tooth_wave/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/searosemusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sawtoothwave4299
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/saw_tooth_wave
