Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Caridad.
Hi Jose, 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’ve been involved in music and recording since 2010, but when I moved to the U.S. in 2016, I didn’t pursue anything music-related for a while. It wasn’t until 2022, when I met some new friends who were interested in playing music, that my passion for recording and creating was reignited.
Around that time, I was also exploring what to study at Valencia College, since my job was offering to cover my education. Fortunately, everything aligned perfectly, and I began working toward a degree in Music Production. Very early into the program, I realized this was what had been missing from my life—music and recording had always been my true passion.
As I dove deeper into my coursework, I found myself constantly watching YouTube tutorials and doing extra research to expand on what I was learning in class. That’s when the “crazy” idea of building a home studio started to take shape. I made the decision to start saving and working toward that goal.
Three years later, just as I completed my degree, my girlfriend and I sold our home to find a new one—with a better location and, most importantly, a space where I could build my dream studio. It took a couple of months of hard work, late nights, and a lot of dedication from me and my friends to bring it to life.
It feels surreal to finally achieve something I had envisioned for so long. Now, I’m excited to channel all that passion and energy into the new projects coming into my studio!
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?
I wouldn’t call it a rocky road, but it definitely wasn’t a smooth one either. Since my job was covering the cost of my education, I had to keep working full-time. At the same time, I didn’t want to stretch the degree out over several years by only taking a few classes at a time. So, I made the decision to take on the challenge of managing both a full-time job and full-time studies.
There were definitely tough moments—long days at work followed by classes, the everyday life stressors, and plenty of late nights spent on homework or in the studio, only to head into work the next morning on very little sleep. But despite all that, I didn’t let anything slow me down. I stayed focused on my goal and kept pushing forward.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about SHY studios?
SHY Studios is technically a home studio, but it’s designed and built to operate at a professional level and deliver professional results. I’ve applied everything I learned throughout my studies—both in terms of technical knowledge and workflow—to create a space that meets professional standards.
The studio is acoustically treated to handle a wide range of recording needs. It’s acoustically treated to properly capture drums and guitar amps, but quiet and controlled enough for delicate sources like acoustic guitars or vocals. I specialize in live drum recording—I’m a drummer myself and have been for over 15 years. I’ve recorded numerous songs, EPs, and full albums, so I know the instrument inside and out. That deep understanding, combined with a never ending refining of my drum mic placement techniques, allows me to consistently get powerful, polished drum sounds.
I think that’s one of the things that sets me apart—not everyone has the space, the experience, or the focus on live drum recording. For me, it’s all about the vibe. I want every artist who walks into SHY Studios to feel comfortable and leave excited about what we’ve created together. Every project I take on is approached with heart and true passion for the craft.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I had a lot of support throughout my journey—both during my studies and while building the studio, in our previous home and the one we’re in now. My girlfriend and my family were always there for me, and their encouragement made a huge difference. But I also want to take a moment to shout out a few key people who were absolutely crucial to making all of this possible.
First, my bandmates Raul Struve, Luis Martinez, and Daniel Marquez—for reigniting my passion for music stronger than ever, and for standing by me every step of the way. From inspiring the initial spark to putting in the work during the long nights of building out the space, they’ve been part of it all. A big thanks also goes to my cousin Raul Serrano, who showed up and helped us through the majority of the build, and my brother-in-law Adolfo Uzcategui, who played a key role in finishing the studio. Without them, none of this would’ve come together the way it did. I’m beyond grateful for their time, support, and belief in the vision.
I also want to thank the people who trusted me with their music while I was still in school. Those early projects gave me valuable hands-on experience and helped me refine my recording techniques. Huge thanks to the guys from The Rottens, Onda Nova, and my classmate Licida—your trust and collaboration meant the world, and played a big part in shaping the engineer I am today.
Pricing:
- Recording, Mix, and Master of 1 song – 350$
- Recording, Mix and Master of a 4 song EP: – 1000$
- Recording, Mix and Master of a 10 song Album – 2000$
- Recording and mixing of drum tracks for your song – 80$ per song
- Drum tracking per hour 50$ (2 hr Minimum)
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shystudiosfl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_K7uwHC_q6Q2q5uvo3z7WwRfyG28uMX2
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Shystudiosfl
Image Credits
Adolfo Uzcategui for the pictures
