SoundGym Hero: Beto Ojeda

Producer, session guitarist, and carom billiards shark based out of his home studio, Beto Ojeda spent years studying jazz guitar in Buenos Aires before discovering a deeper passion for sound itself, shaping, layering, and transforming music from the ground up, with his acoustic guitar always at the center of it all. Beto Ojeda is this month's SoundGym Hero!

How did you first find your way into making music?

My journey into music began when I was around five years old. My father is a selftaught musician, and our home was always filled with string instruments and a diverse range of music. Being constantly immersed in that environment sparked my curiosity and inspired me to take my first steps, learning basic chords and my first songs on what would eventually become my main instrument and greatest passion: the guitar.

I vividly remember the first time I heard Michael Jackson’s hits like “Beat It” and “Billie Jean.” I was completely blown away. I couldn’t believe music could sound that powerful and so well crafted. What truly left a lasting impression on me, though, was the electric guitar riff in “Black or White.” That moment felt like a turning point; I think that’s when I realized I wanted to become a musician.

Aside from music, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

I’ve always been drawn to sports and physical activity, and I really enjoy my weekly gym sessions. They help me stay focused and balanced. I also love reading and exploring different subjects, especially history, astrology, the universe, and psychology.

Another passion of mine is carom billiards. I’ve been playing since I was 15, and I still try to get a game in at least once a week. And lastly, I truly enjoy traveling and experiencing new cultures and places around the world. It’s something that constantly inspires me, both personally and creatively.

What’s something you're surprisingly good at that has nothing to do with music?

As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been playing carom billiards since I was 15, and over the years, with consistent practice, I’ve become quite a skilled player. It’s a complex and fascinating game that involves many elements: physics, calculation, psychological awareness, concentration, and both physical and mental control. It also runs in my family; my grandfather, my father, and several of my uncles all play, so it’s a tradition I truly enjoy being part of.

Aside from that, I’ve always loved volleyball. I spent a lot of time playing in high school and was part of my school’s team. Eventually, I had to step away from it because I was very prone to injuries in my hands and fingers, which directly affected my main passion: music and playing the guitar.

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If you could play or create with any artist, who would it be and why?

That’s a great (and difficult) question. There are many artists I admire, but if I had to choose one, it would be Quincy Jones. To me, he’s one of the greatest and most versatile producers in the history of music. His musicality and his ability to craft arrangements and bring a unique identity to every song are truly remarkable. He has definitely been a major influence on me.

What piece of music gear do you love the most, and what makes it irreplaceable in your creative process?

Before fully stepping into the world of arrangement and music production, I studied jazz guitar in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At that stage in my life, I thought I would dedicate myself to playing, composing, and perhaps teaching. But over time, I discovered a deeper passion for sound itself. I became especially drawn to the creative possibilities within arranging and producing, how sound can be shaped, layered, and transformed. That opened up an entirely new world for me, and for over ten years now, I’ve been continuously learning about audio, frequencies, microphones, recording, mixing, and beyond.

Even so, I’ve always maintained a strong connection with the guitar. Today, it remains my primary tool for composing, arranging, and producing. That’s why, beyond any other piece of gear, my acoustic guitar is my starting point, and in many ways, irreplaceable in my creative process.

What daily or weekly habits do you have in place to keep you creating?

I try to stay connected to other forms of art as much as possible: film, literature, dance, theater, and more. I feel that engaging with different artistic languages keeps me creatively open and helps me generate fresh ideas when working on my own projects.

Another habit I’ve developed is listening to at least one new song from a different genre every week. I listen to it critically several times, paying attention to its structure, composition, production, and mix. Then, I try to recreate the elements I find most interesting using my own tools and perspective.

What keeps you motivated to continue making music?

That’s a very interesting question. I think motivation tends to be quite inconsistent for most artists. It’s closely tied to how challenging it can be to build a career independently, especially in such a competitive and constantly evolving industry. Because of that, motivation naturally comes and goes, and at times, it can be difficult to find strong reasons to keep creating with the same level of passion and energy.

What keeps me grounded during those more challenging moments is the awareness that music has the power to genuinely impact people’s lives. A great song can completely shift someone’s mood, become part of an important memory, or express emotions that are otherwise hard to put into words. Remembering that gives real meaning to what I do.

What song would you choose as the soundtrack of your life?

It’s difficult for a single piece of music to represent an entire life, but if I had to choose one that reflects the rhythm of my life lately, it would definitely be the theme from Mission: Impossible, composed by Lalo Schifrin. I love the rhythmic drive and the energy in its arrangement and orchestration. It really resonates with the pace and intensity of this stage of my life.

What's your favorite feature on SoundGym, and how has it helped you in your musical journey?

I really appreciate the overall design of the platform; it offers a wide variety of ways to learn and improve in a fun and engaging way. If I had to choose one feature, it would be EQ Cheetah. It challenges you to identify specific frequencies across the spectrum in a very short amount of time, which forces you to react quickly and trust your ears.

At first, it was quite frustrating, but over time I improved significantly. It has helped me internalize the character and timbre of key frequency ranges, which is extremely valuable when making EQ decisions during mixing and mastering. I’ve also been a big fan of the Olympics section since the beginning; it adds a great competitive and motivating element to the learning process.

What’s something exciting you're working on or looking forward to?

At the moment, I’m focused on building my personal brand as both a producer and a session guitarist, two roles I genuinely enjoy. I’m also working on expanding my client base so I can collaborate more consistently in a remote setting from my home studio.

In addition, I’m starting a long-term project with a close childhood friend who is also a musician. We’re working on creating a diverse catalog of songs with different purposes in mind, whether for other artists, commercial placements, or generating royalty-based income that can support greater creative and financial independence. Right now, I feel very energized and optimistic about these projects, and I’m excited to see how they evolve

You can follow Beto on Instagram and Tidal!

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