Marcella Christina Araica is an American recording and mixing engineer, who has recorded and mixed tracks for artists including Britney Spears, Duran Duran, K. Michelle, Ciara, Keri Hilson, Madonna, P!nk and Timbaland.

Marcella Araica
Birth nameMarcella Christina Araica
Also known as
  • Ms. Lago
  • The Incredible Lago
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active2002–present
Labels
Websitewww.marcellaaraica.com

Biography edit

Araica started her professional career as an assistant at Hit Factory Criteria in March 2002[1] after graduating from the Full Sail Production and Recording Program in Florida.[2] She was mentored by Jimmy Douglass and Demacio Castellon.[3] Araica describes how it was difficult breaking into a male-dominated career, "As a female, I had more to prove."[2] She has worked as an assistant engineer in sessions for Timbaland and Missy Elliott.[4] Subsequently, she became a full-time engineer at the studio, working closely with Timbaland.[5][6]

In the early 2000s, she met Danja and the two started working together.[3] In 2008, they created N.A.R.S. records and in 2014, opened a studio in Miami, called Dream Asylum.[3] The studio was built in a former warehouse and has separate recording rooms for Danja and Araica.[7]

She visits Full Sail University often to spread her knowledge and give current students a closer look into what it really takes to become successful in the music industry.[8][9][10][11] Araica also created the Red Bottoms Foundation in order to support women in the music industry.[12] The foundation supports mentorships for women.[13]

Araica's method of working with musical projects is to focus primarily on the vocal aspect of the song, and then uses effects in Pro Tools and outboard gear.[5] She has also called herself "a mad scientist when I'm in the studio."[14]

Credits edit

Araica's mixing and recording credits include "Gimme More" by Britney Spears, "The Way I Are" by Timbaland,[5] "Migrate" by Mariah Carey, "We Takin' Over" by DJ Khaled, "When I’m Gone" by Simple Plan and "The Valley" by Duran Duran.[citation needed]

Selected discography edit

Name Variations: Marcella Araica, Marcella 'Ms. Lago'[1] Araica', The Incredible Lago

Mix edit

Appears on edit

Awards edit

In 2010, Araica received two ASCAP awards for "Knock You Down" and "Sober."[15][16] She was presented with the Leading Ladies of Entertainment accolade by the Latin Recording Academy in 2017.[17]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Concepcion, Mariel (3 October 2009). "6 Questions With Marcella Araica". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 39. p. 13.
  2. ^ a b Burgess, Richard James (2013). The Art of Music Production: The Theory and Practice (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 196. ISBN 9780199921720.
  3. ^ a b c Kenny, Tom (29 February 2016). "On the Cover: Dream Asylum Studios". Mix. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  4. ^ Jackson, Blair (1 September 2014). "Marcella Araica: Making Waves in Miami Recording". Mix. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  5. ^ a b c Harvey, Steve (2009). "Araica Is on Board". Pro Sound News. 31 (8): 20, 30. Retrieved 18 August 2016 – via EBSCO.
  6. ^ Hughes, Zondra (21 December 2010). "5 Fantasy Jobs (and How You Can Get Your Own)". HuffPost. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  7. ^ Bullins, Strother (October 2015). "Developing the Duality of Dream Asylum". Pro Sound News. 37 (10): 22, 55. Retrieved 18 August 2016 – via EBSCO.
  8. ^ Baker, Aaron "AO". "iStandardProducers.com Exclusive iNterview with Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica". iStandardProducers. Archived from the original on 15 August 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  9. ^ "Marcella Araica: Hit Engineer Ascent". Hit Talk Magazine. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  10. ^ Harvey, Steve. "Araica Is on Board". ProSound News. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  11. ^ "Danja and Marcella Araica install Matrix in their new private studio". Solid State Logic News. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  12. ^ Smith, LaToya M. (1 December 2011). "Sound Check: An Audio Engineer Mixes Recordings for Pop Music's Biggest Hit Makers". Black Enterprise. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016 – via HighBeam Research.
  13. ^ Gallant, Michael (August 2011). "Marcella Araica". M Music and Musicians. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  14. ^ Tingen, Paul. "Secrets of the Mix Engineers: Marcella Araica – Inside Track: 'The Way I Are'". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  15. ^ "27th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards Celebrate Hitmakers at Star-Studded Event in Hollywood". 27th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  16. ^ Christman, Ed. "Dr. Luke, Jason Mraz, EMI, Patti Smith Among ASCAP Honorees". Billboard. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
  17. ^ "Leading Ladies of Entertainment". Latin Recording Academy. Retrieved 11 September 2022.

Bibliography edit

  • Mshaka, Thembisa S. (2009). Put Your Dreams First: Handle Your Entertainment Business. Business Plus. ISBN 978-0-446-40946-9.

External links edit