Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dominic Zamora. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dominic, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

My passion for the creation of music, with an instrument, started in December 2013 with the soundtrack for the “Last of Us” game. The introduction theme was the first song I learned on my first Fender acoustic guitar and the Official Sound Track continues to be some of the most emotionally moving music compositions I have ever listened to. Up until 2015 I wasn’t considerably invested in the guitar until I came across a five-minute video of my high school woodshop teacher improvising on guitar (Revelation Mother Earth by Ozzy Osbourne and Mean Street by Van Halen). This inspired me to develop my passion by teaching myself through reading tablature and educational YouTube videos. It would be years until I was given the opportunity by a friend to start recording music in his bedroom studio. Unfortunately, we were only able to fit in a few sessions before my friend became too occupied with other non-musical work. Although, the little time I spent recording with him changed my perspective on the creation of music dramatically and was my initial exposure to the world of digital audio production.

It wasn’t until I was exposed to the world of underground hip-hop in 2018 that I wanted to pursue the creation of my own music in recording digital audio. Once I no longer had someone to run the studio, I resorted to learning the process myself. This started by taking classes at my first community college. Their Digital Audio Program was underfunded, but it served as a good introduction into working with Reason, Sibelius, Pro-Tools. I then decided to transfer to Mira Costa Community College in Oceanside, which was a serious improvement of information quality and had quality funding. Shoutout to Professor Christy Coobatis for being the mentor who was extremely influential in my pursuit of audio. From there I changed my major to receive an AA in Music Technology. In my free time, I offered my skills to my friends who needed someone to record their songs. These experiences were the first time I felt like I was doing what I was meant to do with audio engineering. Ultimately this trade is a service. I never got much fulfillment working on my own music/projects, but working with artists, especially non-artists (people who don’t think they have the creative chops), seeing their faces light up when I nail exactly what is in their head. It was the smile I could bring out of people when they heard themselves back that ignited my passion to get even better.

Looking back, I can’t figure out the reason why I decided to pursue a career in sound. However I can liken the situation to what I experienced in high school. In 9th grade I thought I wanted to pursue cartooning, but decided at the last minute to drop the class for a different elective. I’ll never forget sitting with my counselor and her going down the list of available electives until she mentioned welding/metal fabrication. It seemed more interesting than the other options I had, so I enrolled. Although I only took two metal-shop courses, it would lead me to what I realized was my true calling in high school, the woodshop. Unexpectedly as a freshman, I was awarded for Welding, and I would, later, go on to receive awards for my projects in Guitar Making.

I came under the same situation in my second semester of college. I originally thought I wanted to be an electric guitar luthier, then dropped the first day in my Guitar Repair course. My love never faded for guitar repair/modification/construction, but I was very unhappy with the people that surrounded me in those classes. I was confident that I would continue to educate myself in the subject. Although being the most experienced in woodworking/luthiery and the youngest at 18/19 years old in class was not a pleasant experience. Too many egos.

I considered my options at changing my major and landed on Music Technology. Fortunately, I haven’t changed my mind on furthering my education in the world of sound. I remained in college and worked at an ice cream shop during the 2020 pandemic and earned my AA in Music Technology in 2023. When I attempted to re-enroll in some of the in-person courses, the school denied me and I was lost and unprepared for a while. Fortunately I found CRAS, the Conservatory of Recording Art’s and Sciences, to further my skills and surround myself with people that would inspire me to be better. My experiences there ultimately molded me into the Audio Engineer I am today.

Dominic, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am extremely proficient and comfortable working with Protools and is my preferred DAW. Although I am familiar working in Logic and Ableton Live.

I am certified in:
-(CRAS) Protools Tier 1-6 Music and Post Production
-(CRAS) Autotune Pro X
-(CRAS) Melodyne Assistant
-(CRAS) TC Electronics M3000
-(CRAS) TC Electronics System 6000
-(CRAS) SMAART
-(CRAS) MIDAS M32
-(CRAS) LA Acoustics SoundVision
-CRAS Broadcast Badge
-CRAS Live Sound Badge

Awarded: Platinum (100% attendance and 4.0 GPA)

When I attended to the Conservatory, I did anything and everything I possibly could to prepare myself for the professional world. This includes Music, Live Sound, Post Production, Commercial Production, Video Game Audio, Broadcast, and learning the Core Technologies, like building a ribbon microphone with David Royer and building a drive pedal from Austin Microphones. I made an effort to form relationships with my instructors because they provide the best perspective on how the professional world of audio works. I had the opportunity to work with John La Rosa on a movie that would be released on Netflix with my credit being Assistant Engineer.

I mainly specialize in Post Production and Music Audio Engineering. I was hired on as a freelance/part time employee at Fancy Film Post Services after completing my internship requirements for graduation. The services I provide are:

-M&E Session organization for EDL formatting for unlicensed libraries in documentaries/films
-AAF Audio Ingest Session Organization before the episode/doc is sent to the editors/mixer
-Soundmouse Operator for EDL Upload (Music Supervison)

I have recently landed a freelance gig with a Post-Finishing Company in North Hollywood/Burbank. Where I will be responsible for:

-Deliverable and Archival Project Formatting for Foreign Super Sessions

My official title is “Audio and Media Operator”

In my free time, I have been mixing Student Films/Documentaries for friends I have met in LA since I’ve moved into the city (I am from San Diego). Additionally I have turned my room into a recording space for tracking vocals, I have been working with vocalists I know to cut their demos. I am aware of how frustrating it can be for some artists to record and mix their own art. I also realized when starting out, that I would be unable to compete with larger studios and even the bedroom studios in terms of quality. Currently, it is financially not possible. So I try to focus on outdoing my competition with the vibe of my bedroom studio. My goal is to create a risk-free environment for artists to lay down their idea with someone who is technically competent in recording and mixing. If I can provide a way for the artist to put down an idea without having to put on the “Engineer” hat, I have succeeded. I want the artist to have a space where they can be in a purely creative headspace. I also provide guitar setup/repair/diagnostic services for the exchange of beer (the friends fee of course). I have been building and repairing guitars on my own for almost 10 years. Additionally I have been working with friends that need a guitarist for their projects.

During my last months at CRAS, I had the privilege of working personally with the late Zachary Lamb aka Lambo, previously before being an instructor, he was a recording/mixing engineer for Interscope Records, working with artists including Gunna, JCole, and more. He mentored me and my current roommate personally through the process of Professional Punch-In Recording. An incredibly demanding skill where speed and efficiency are key. In principle, the technique is mastered when the engineer has a mix and edit “done” by the time the artist walks to the control room. The best can do it while it is recording. This process was outside the normal curriculum of CRAS and I also learned more secrets about this process from Ferny Felix, an administrator of CRAS and Audio Engineer for Salt Mine Studios in Phoenix, Arizona. I owe a debt to all the instructors, Zach especially, that I can never repay. He died suddenly 2 days after I completed my internship. He was in his 30s. I hope I can make him proud with the skills that he gave me. The last thing he told me was, “Pay it forward and teach the next guy coming through the door what I taught you.”

Right now I am running my side gigs through my Instagram DM’s and I am in the process of setting up a website/account with a site like Fivver to sell my services. In the future I plan on setting up an LLC with nesting companies for the various services I provide. I do not have any rates considering my side gigs. I am still a newcomer to the scene and want to establish good reputation before I feel comfortable charging people for my services.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Personally, making art is a release for my emotions and it is therapeutic. The process of creation is a reflection of the soul. But I internalize the most fulfillment by my ability to create art with others or using my skills to assist/facilitate someone in the creative process. You can feel the passion burning inside someone like the heat of a bonfire. Sometimes all it takes is a spark to ignite the passion in someone, never deny the power of facilitating the spark.

Theres a scene in a show called Avatar: The Last Airbender that I think is a perfect metaphor. In the 3rd “Book” (Season). Two of the main characters are attempting to learn fire-bending tasked with keeping the flame in their hands burning as they climb the mountain to receive wisdom from the Masters. As they climb they risk the flame burning out, checking on each other to keep each other’s burning until they reach the top. As creatives, I feel it is important to keep each others flames burning. When you help a person climb a mountain, you too will find that you have reached the top.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Not particularly. I have no expectation or ideal for my destination. But I know what I am running from. I surrounded myself with good and bad people. Although I always felt unseen at home. I had no outlet. No one who was willing to take a chance on me, because I was unwilling to take a chance on myself. It took many missed opportunities, blowouts, and mentally burning the bridges of Plan B,C,D,etc… It was this or nothing else. I took a chance on what I loved. Ultimately I wanted to do what I loved and have it financially support me so I can eventually start a family. I know more than anything I want a family. When your goals are bound to a simple but strong principle/desire, its amazing the amount of pain you can withstand and willing to miss out on. Especially when combined with a strong sense of self, you become invincible when you are transparent with who you are. Always recognize your own shortcoming and strengths, never settle. There is always room for improvement.

My social circle collapsed when I left to pursue my passions. The ones who understood are still in my life. The ones who didn’t were some of the closest people I’ve had. It was hard to let them go. Decade long friendships over in an instant. But sometimes what you built has to crumble to build something new and whatever crumbles was never built on strong foundations anyway, but never stop loving them, they gave you the lessons you needed, use the experiences and heartbreak to fuel your fire. We are all on our own journeys and you can only hope that they might find their way too, sometimes separation is necessary towards growth. Shake your own foundations and see where the cracks form. Learn to heal yourself, become accustomed to your own unconscious tendencies.

Anger, Spite, Hate are excellent fuels, but they burn quickly, are destructive, and completely unsustainable. Love is the cleanest kind of fuel, It can burn brighter than the sun or smolder endlessly, it is the embodiment of longevity and most essential for your endurance. You must find the love in your work because you won’t always be able to do what you want, love will find you if you are open to receive it. Easier said than done.

Surrender to the river of life, accept whatever may come, but don’t hang on the side. You are denying yourself and your story when you hold on. Don’t get caught up in ideals but know what you are willing to tolerate to get to your goals.

Find the people who inspire you and surround yourself with them, they are your guides out of the darkness. Give yourself the tools necessary to pull yourself and others out of that darkness. They are on their journeys too and they wont always be around to guide you. Everyone is worth saving. Help the ones still hanging on, but always be aware of how much of yourself you are willing to give up. It is a challenge to help someone who is unwilling to help themselves. Draw healthy boundaries. Sometimes helping the person who is holding on to the side of the river is part of your own journey.

But just enjoy the ride.

and if you struggle to find what you love, ask yourself this question:

When was the last time you did something you could do forever? and how can you do that something in service to someone else?

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkmzamora/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-zamora-5a873b324
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/till_the_dawn
• Other: Best method of contact is Instagram