Behind Deftune
Conrad Magabo builds records for artists who care how their music feels.
I’m the engineer behind Deftune, a private hybrid mixing and mastering studio based in Southern California. I work with independent artists, producers, and labels who want depth, impact, character, and direct communication instead of assembly-line processing.
What shapes the work
I’m also an artist and producer, so technical decisions never get separated from the emotional identity of the record.
How I work
Directly with the artist. No handoff. No preset-first workflow. Every project gets the approach the music actually needs.
Where I’m based
Southern California is the relationship and credibility engine. Remote work is how Deftune scales worldwide.
Experience
I’ve spent more than a decade working across music production, mixing, and mastering, from studio support roles to building Deftune into an independent engineering practice.
- SAE Institute graduate
- Deftune Audio Engineering, 2008 to present
- Alpha Pup Records, content manager / assistant engineer, 2009 to 2011
- Cosmic Zoo Studio, studio manager / mixing and mastering engineer, 2013 to 2015
Built for Independent Music
Deftune is a strong fit for artists and teams making electronic, alternative, experimental, indie, hip-hop, R&B, and other forward-thinking music where texture, dynamics, low end, width, and personality matter.
If you want the safest possible generic finish, there are cheaper ways to get there. If you want perspective, judgment, translation, and a final result that still sounds like your record, that’s the lane I care about.
Analog Character. Digital Precision.
I don’t believe analog is automatically better than digital, and I don’t think expensive equipment makes a great record by itself.
I use both because they solve different problems exceptionally well. Analog processing can add dimensionality, saturation, movement, and physical character. Modern digital tools provide precision, recall, speed, and control.
The point isn’t to show off hardware. The point is to make you feel the record more deeply when it comes back.
Services and Rates
Mastering
$50 / song
Free sample available
Stem mastering
$75 / song
More control without a full mix rebuild
Mixing
$500 / song
Full mix shaping and revision support
- Mixing / Mastering 4 song bundle: $2000
- Mixing / Mastering 8 song bundle: $3800
- Mastering 12 song bundle: $500
Bundle options, deposits, and full-payment paths are available in the shop.
Hear the Work First
Before you book, listen to the selected work and discography and the before / after examples. Deftune makes the most sense when you can already hear the point of view.
Want to talk through a release?
If you have a single, EP, album, or stem-mastering project on deck, send a track and some context and I’ll help you figure out the right path.