Oscar Mora is a prominent figure in the professional audio world, combining his passion for sound with unwavering dedication. From working with iconic artists to his crucial role at RCF, his experience and innovative vision continue to make a difference in the audio industry.
It is well known that in the world of professional audio, not everything sounds the same; and it is in this field where the name of Oscar Mora has been gaining prominence for over 25 years thanks to his outstanding career and experience.
This Venezuelan sound engineer has left his mark on renowned stages, working with artists such as Frank Quintero, Karina, Caramelos de Cianuro, and Amigo Invisible. He has also been crucial in the calibration of systems for iconic bands like Metallica, Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, and The Doors.
For over 15 years, Oscar has contributed his vast knowledge as a Product Specialist at RCF, where he not only focuses on consulting and support but also actively engages in training and supporting the Spanish-speaking audiovisual community.
Beyond his professional career, he stands out for a personality that shines brightly in the audio field. His passion for soccer and cinema adds a different dimension to his profile, making his presence in the industry as vibrant as his work.
In this story, we will discover his vision on the evolution of sound and his expectations for the future of this industry, with a privileged view of his exciting journey in the world of audio.
Oscar Mora found his vocation in the professional audio industry in a way that many in the field might consider familiar. “Like many colleagues, I started as a musician,” he recalls, “and my teacher, who owned a small sound equipment rental company, offered me a job with him.”
This new opportunity revealed two key aspects to him: “The first is that I was born with passion but not with the talent as an instrumentalist that I would have liked,” he admits honestly and with a smile. But the second was decisive for his future: “The first time I sat in front of a console, it was love at first sight; I fell totally and irreversibly in love with it,” he recalls nostalgically but with the certainty of having chosen the right path.
Speaking about his education, Oscar acknowledges the importance of both empirical experience and formal education. “I definitely have great respect for empirical and self-taught professionals; I have been one of them. It is necessary to have talent and, above all, real-world experience, however, I quote and sum it up in a phrase by Simón Bolívar: ‘A man without education is an incomplete being,’” he says firmly.
That’s why he is convinced that education is essential to perfecting talent and maximizing its potential. He emphasizes that in his field, learning is a continuous process due to the ongoing technological evolution of equipment and cultural changes, so staying updated is crucial to being at the highest level, and for him, learning new things is not only necessary but also a true pleasure.
But returning to the experiences that shaped him, he recalls a fundamental one in his professional development that occurred almost twenty years ago, when he had the opportunity to participate in a one-week intensive seminar with Engineer Salvador Castañeda. “A MASTER!” exclaims Oscar.
And he details: “That week was a turning point for me. Two fundamental things happened: the first was a phrase from a friend and colleague after one of Salvador’s explanations and examples. This friend came up to my ear and quietly said, ‘We’ve been doing everything wrong for about twenty years…’ Hahaha! That was pretty much it… The other thing that happened that week was seeing Salvador’s pedagogical ease, how he made the strange and incomprehensible easy and simple. How he captivated and captured the audience’s attention. After this experience, I attended other courses and talks by Salvador, even some repeated ones, not so much to review what I had already learned but to observe his technique and how he did it.” It undoubtedly proved to be an inspiration for his professional development.
As a former Training & Support Engineer at Yamaha Corporation and now in his current role at RCF, Oscar reflects on how work experiences have influenced his professional growth: “Working at companies the size of Yamaha gives you access to almost unlimited information and tools, so it’s easier if you want to grow more. And the opportunity to travel around the world is unique; although the main mission is to ‘teach,’ the reality is that in each place you learn or see a way of doing things you had never seen or even imagined.”
Constant feedback and learning have been fundamental for him, especially when discovering teaching, which completely captivated him, forcing him to “put things into words, scribble, and explain everything you know and can.” His transition to the corporate realm made him realize that seeing a finished product doesn’t reveal the entire process behind it until it reaches the final product, and how easy it is to criticize or point out its shortcomings once it is completed. He emphasizes that often, one falls into superficial criticism such as “if they had made a hole here, I could do this,” without considering how that change might affect the tolerance of that part to other forces or purposes, which could lead to redesigning everything and would likely have a significant impact on the final price.
Reflecting on events that have left an indelible mark on his career, Oscar recalls a particular experience: “The first time I was in a real ‘superproduction’ and discovered that beneath the stage there was a full bar with a two-boiler espresso machine, accompanied by a bartender and barista, I was amazed. When I inquired about the budget for my activity at the event, the response was: ‘The budget is not an issue; just say what you need and that’s it, the important thing is that you have everything you need for it to be done right.’ That was when I realized the weight of my responsibility: if something went wrong, it would be entirely my fault.”
But a sound engineer also has unusual experiences that leave a tragicomic memory and certainly something to recount later among industry peers. It happened backstage at a show in Tokyo during a soundcheck. Oscar recounts: “There was a massive downpour, and a lot of water was falling on the system. The company owner came over and asked if everything was okay with the water. I responded that yes, the system should withstand that amount of rain, but that the test was ending and perhaps it would be best to cut everything and remove the power. The owner replied: ‘No, if something bad can happen, I’d prefer it to happen now and not tomorrow in the middle of the concert.’ This decision surprised Oscar, who remained expectant and intrigued by the response. But he was even more surprised by the outcome: ‘The owner looked at me intently and said: “We have all night to bring in another system.” Fortunately, nothing happened, and we were all calm if it rained again the next day.’
Undoubtedly, these two anecdotes show that pressure and responsibility are always present in a professional’s work. However, it is the daily practice of the profession that teaches how to handle all kinds of unforeseen events and deal with all types of people.
Not only have past experiences shaped Oscar’s career, but current challenges also continue to define his path. Facing new technologies and expectations is part of the daily routine, and his commitment to excellence knows no bounds.
Recently, he excelled as a System Engineer at a special concert in Punta del Este, Uruguay, on March 9 of this year, at an event notable for its scale and excellence. His participation in the show featuring Julieta Venegas & Los Auténticos Decadentes came through a request from Grupo Caraballo, who, as RCF users, sought his expertise for the event’s new sound system. “The company responsible for the sound asked me for support for this show. For me, it’s a great pleasure to see Gastón again and witness his growth as a company,” Mora emphasizes.
The sound system for the concert consisted of HDL50-A 4K for the main PA, with eight units per side, accompanied by 9007 subs in a stereo arrangement. “For front fill, we used HDL30-A and for out fill, six HDL20-A per side. The design covered an area of 70 meters with a notable SPL, despite a full house of 30,000 spectators. Personally, I was very satisfied with the performance. It was one of those nights when you go to bed with a smile of satisfaction for the goals achieved,” he adds.
For Mora and for RCF, this event was a significant opportunity to provide support to their users at important events. And most importantly: “It’s crucial to support and accompany our users during important events. We work together with a common goal, as if it were a partnership in which everyone feels committed to giving their best.”
The sound design was done in collaboration with Gastón Caraballo. “I suggested what seemed most optimal together with Gastón, who had experience with this event and venue. The production, which had previously used a system from an American brand, decided to trust RCF after three years of good results,” he proudly highlights about the brand that has him as a specialist.
Although everything went according to plan and there were no issues during the installation, Oscar emphasizes an important aspect: communication and flexibility in the design. “During the setup, we tried to change the arrangement, but we couldn’t talk to the person who requested the stereo setup. Sometimes, main engineers do not have extensive knowledge of adjustments and system optimization, so they prefer not to try new things,” he explains.
Regarding the presence of the RCF brand in that country, he states: “We have a strong reputation in Uruguay. Grupo Caraballo is the largest company in the country and has placed its trust in RCF, achieving exceptional results. During my visit, I also had the opportunity to train the company’s staff. We discussed basic concepts of line array systems, the advantages of the system, and our RDNet monitoring and processing software. I will return this year to conduct more activities and open training sessions for the audio community in the country,” he concludes, knowing that he combines two of his great passions: traveling and teaching.
However, no matter how much experience and background one has, a true professional never stops projecting and dreaming of new horizons. When reflecting on his future goals and expectations in his professional career, Oscar Mora starts with a smile and says: “A raise in my fees… hahaha.”
And he knows that beyond the joke, there is a genuine desire to advance in his field, clarifying that one of his major aspirations is to “lead the development of a system.” For him, this represents the opportunity to apply all his experience and knowledge in creating an innovative solution that can make a difference in the audio industry. “I would like to have complete control over the process, from conceptualization to implementation. This goal not only reflects my passion for professional audio but also a personal desire to contribute significantly to technological evolution in audio!”
From Oscar Mora’s perspective, the evolution of the professional audio industry is fascinating: “There are many brands doing great things and there are few secrets left that no one knows,” he comments, and emphasizes: “Technological advancement in the sector is almost limitless; however, this is a business, and development must always be accompanied by budget considerations and the ability to make a product accessible and marketable. Although innovation is booming, economic viability remains crucial for new technologies to reach the market effectively.”
Regarding these technological advancements, some are surprising to him, such as developments in audio systems with “almost absolute directionality” and those that allow for “a sweet spot in virtually any area of the audience.”
While these systems represent a significant advancement, Oscar assures that there are still challenges to overcome: “Although they already exist, we do not yet have the cost structures for technology, development, and production that would make these systems accessible. We need to wait a bit longer. I am optimistic about the future of the industry, along with the patience required for innovations to become practical and affordable solutions.”
Like many professionals who closely follow the industry’s daily developments, he envisions a dynamic future: “We are increasingly seeing more brands producing very high-quality, top-tier systems. The competition will be greater, which will represent the primary virtue of capitalism. This will lead to the availability of top-notch systems at competitive prices and a greater variety of options in event riders. The choice of equipment will not only be based on product quality but also on post-sales support.”
However, the industry faces a current reality that cannot be ignored, presenting a crucial aspect: “Increasing production capacity while maintaining quality levels and adequate support is a challenge. The ability to scale production without compromising quality and ensuring efficient support is essential for sustained growth and customer satisfaction. This duality of maintaining high standards while expanding is one of the main challenges facing the industry today.”
One of the main motivations driving his career is the desire to share knowledge and train the next generation of audio professionals. Commitment to education and the continuous development of the professional audio community is a priority for him: “Currently, most of my activities involve teaching and training. I find great satisfaction in passing on and discussing knowledge, providing users with tools to continually improve their level and quality of service.”
In his role at RCF, he highlights the company’s commitment to education, noting that “we have been developing various tasks and programs to raise the level of the end user, and this dedication to training reflects our belief in the power of knowledge to elevate industry standards.”
For young people entering the audio industry, he always has valuable advice: “Study and research, above all, curiosity and a hunger for knowledge. It is crucial to always strive to give your best, not to settle for being average, and to respectfully and properly voice disagreements. I always emphasize the importance of overcoming the fear or embarrassment of asking questions, reminding them that there are no stupid questions, only foolish mistakes for not asking them.”
He also adds a practical recommendation: “Learn English, as this is a profession with significant internationalization, and we need to be able to communicate with people from many places. This focus on curiosity, communication, and the constant pursuit of improvement is essential for success in the dynamic field of professional audio.”
Balancing a dynamic career like Oscar Mora’s with personal life is no easy task. “It’s not easy… Pressure and stress seem to be a fundamental part of this profession,” he admits candidly. However, Oscar has found valuable balance in his life thanks to his “wonderful partner, my dear and beloved Eve.” She plays a crucial role in his stability: “She is my grounding force, understanding my career and passion with the time and demands it requires.”
Despite the professional demands, Mora emphasizes the importance of “finding time for ourselves, asserting that it is essential to know how to take breaks and value our time and space. There must be trust with your partner, as being well in personal and private matters is key to being a complete and stable person.” And with a touch of humor, he adds: “And, well, having a good psychotherapist helps a lot! hahaha.” This human and balanced approach reflects how, despite professional challenges, Oscar deeply values personal support and the need to maintain a healthy space in his life.
To close the conversation, he offers a message that reflects his perspective on balancing passion and profession: “Have fun, always seek to make it enjoyable.”
For him, the key to success in any career lies in doing what you love: “Whatever you choose to do, you should do it to the best of your ability and, above all, love what you do. It’s always easier when what you do excites and passions you.”
This final piece of advice not only reflects his approach to work but also his life philosophy, emphasizing the importance of finding joy and passion in every aspect of one’s professional career.
