Matteo Marciano: Crafting World-Class Sound with Sonnox Plug-ins

From Rome to New York City, Matteo Marciano has made a name for himself as a versatile producer, mixer, engineer, and composer, working on projects ranging from blockbuster films like Pitch Perfect, Turbo, and John Wick, to collaborations with artists such as Anna Kendrick, Idina Menzel, and Lang Lang. 

In addition to his work in the studio, Marciano serves as the chief professor at the Music Production and Engineering Department of the Master of Music program at LUISS University in Rome. We spoke with Marciano about his journey, his workflow, and how Sonnox plug-ins have become an essential part of his process.

From Italy to New York: A Global Career in Music

Currently based on the Upper East Side of New York City, Marciano has set up his own tracking and mixing space while continuing to work as a freelance engineer and producer in various studios around the city. His journey into the world of music began with his father, Mauro, a percussionist with a keen ear for music. “I started with the bass, and after years of touring and studio work, I became fascinated with the behind-the-scenes aspects of music—producing and sculpting the sound of an artist,” Marciano recalls.

After gaining experience as an assistant engineer, Marciano moved up to lead roles, working on projects across California, Florida, Alabama, and Boston. His international career has been marked by a blend of teaching, mixing bands, and recording orchestras. In 2011, he joined LUISS University in Rome as a professor and chief engineer, and he continues to lead the Master of Music program from the university’s recording studio, Luiss Record.

Discovering Sonnox Plug-ins: A Perfect Match for Film and Music

Marciano first encountered Sonnox plug-ins through another engineer in Rome, and he quickly became a fan. “It was love at first touch,” he says. His extensive use of Sonnox plug-ins includes the EQ, Dynamics, Reverb, Inflator, SuprEsser, and Envolution. One of his initial major projects in New York was tracking for Pitch Perfect, a film heavily focused on vocal arrangements. “With literally hundreds of vocals, my challenge was to deliver mixes that excited the composer and producer. The Oxford Dynamics plug-in and EQ became my best friends for that task.”

Harnessing the Power of Oxford Dynamics

The Oxford Dynamics plug-in offers Marciano a comprehensive set of tools, all in one interface. “I love being able to see the meters of every aspect—compression, gating, limiting—while I’m tweaking them,” he explains. For drums, the Dynamics plug-in is indispensable, particularly for enhancing snare drums. “I use the Expander to minimize background noise, making the snares pop out through the mix, and then I compress and limit as needed.”

For vocal work, Marciano utilizes the sidechain compression and limiter functions extensively. “Mixing vocals for Pitch Perfect, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and many other projects involved tuning, editing, and mixing numerous vocal tracks. The sidechain allows me to surgically manage frequencies without over-compressing, achieving the bright vocal sound expected in today’s pop mixes while controlling harsh frequencies in the 2k to 5k range.”

Creating Transparent Soundscapes with Oxford Reverb

Marciano values transparency in his mixes, aiming to evoke emotions without drawing attention to the technical aspects of the process. “I want the listener to feel something without knowing what was done to the vocals, drums, or any other element,” he says. This is where the Oxford Reverb shines. “It’s one of the most transparent reverbs I’ve ever used. It allows me to create space around instruments, especially drums, without making the reverb sound obvious. I tweak presets nine out of ten times to craft the exact space I envision around each performer.”

Adding Depth and Warmth with Inflator

Marciano describes the Inflator as his secret weapon, or as he calls it, “the ear candy.” “You don’t always notice it’s there, but once you add it, everything sounds fuller and more vibrant,” he says. The Inflator is particularly effective in enhancing transients and bringing elements forward in the mix without altering gain stages. “It also offers a tape simulation feature that I use on drum buses and guitars, adding analog warmth and saturation without digital clipping.”

Envolution: A Game-Changer for Drum Dynamics

Marciano’s latest favorite is the Envolution plug-in, which he uses to shape transients and sustain, particularly on drums. “Envolution allows me to emphasize or attenuate both transients and sustain, giving additional punch to drums,” he explains. By duplicating kick and snare tracks and processing them with Envolution, Marciano can create custom room triggers, enhancing the depth and sustain of the drum kit. “This plug-in is a game changer—it allows me to shape the release of a snare on a rock record exactly how I want it.”

The Sonnox Philosophy: Precision and Emotion in Every Mix

For Marciano, the key to successful mixing lies in precision and the ability to evoke emotion. Sonnox plug-ins play a crucial role in helping him achieve these goals. “Whether I’m working on film scores, pop vocals, or orchestral arrangements, Sonnox plug-ins provide the tools I need to craft mixes that resonate with listeners on a deeper level,” he concludes. As Marciano continues to navigate the global music scene from New York to Rome, Sonnox remains a steadfast companion in his pursuit of sonic excellence.