By the Zonagirante.com team @spinning zone
Cover art by Zonagirante Studio
💥 How they changed the future of audio
In the world of music, female talent has been key in the evolution of different genres and movements, but when it comes to production and sound engineering, the presence of women remains alarmingly low.
According to a study by the University of Southern California published in 2020, only 2.61% of producers in the industry are women. This figure highlights the persistent inequality in recording studios, a space historically dominated by men.
The gender gap extends beyond production: Women represent only 21.61% of artists and 12.61% of composers, revealing a structure that still limits their participation in musical creation.
Although pioneering figures like Sylvia Moy, who was instrumental in Stevie Wonder's success at Motown, and Sylvia Robinson, one of those responsible for the rise of rap in the seventies, laid the foundations for future generations, His legacy has not yet translated into equitable representation.
However, more and more women are defying these statistics, paving the way in sound engineering and music production. In this article, We will explore the trajectory and impact of some of them, highlighting their work and the change they are generating in the industry.
Griselda Jiménez
Griselda Jiménez is recognized as The first female sound engineer in Mexico, with a career spanning more than 30 years in the music industry.
Her career began in 1969 as a dancer in the traveling shows of the Teatro Blanquita in Guadalajara and later in Mexico City. Her foray into sound was accidental., when he had to take charge of the audio at a performance due to the absence of the technician.
From that moment on, he dedicated himself to live sound engineering.
He worked with numerous artists such asJuan Gabriel, Lucha Villa, Lola Beltrán and La Sonora Santanera, But their longest-lasting collaboration was with Vicente Fernández.
In 1982, the singer invited her to permanently join his team after encountering problems with his audio engineers. Although she initially hesitated, she accepted the offer and worked with him for over three decades.
After Vicente Fernández's retirement, Griselda considered leaving the stage., but continued briefly with Edith Márquez. Her story reflects passion and resilience in a male-dominated field, inspiring future generations of women in sound engineering and music production.
Sadly, Griselda Jiménez passed away in January 2022., But he still left an unforgettable memory among his family and colleagues.
Jessica Corcoran
Jessica Corcoran is a London-based sound engineer and music producer. She has worked with British alternative rock and Britpop artists and bands, such as Boy George, Robyn Hitchcock, Shed Seven, Maximo Park and The Wonder Stuff, among others.
She has participated in over 100 productions as a producer, 20 as a mixing engineer, and 16 as a recording engineer. Although her presence on social media and digital platforms is limited, His contribution to the British music industry is recognized, due to his prolific career of more than thirty years.
At the Zonagirante.com office, we hold her in high regard for her outstanding participation in one of our favorite albums: God Fodder, of Ned's Atomic Dustbin.
Salome Limon
Salomé Limón is a prominent Spanish producer and sound engineer with an internationally recognized career.
Winner of five Latin Grammys, she has worked with some of the most influential artists in the industry, including Paco de Lucía, Anoushka Shankar, Mariza, Chick Corea, Bebo Valdés, Emilio Aragón, Michel Camilo and Tomatito.
Her professional career began in 2004 with her participation in the album The Singer, of Andrés Calamaro. Since then, he has consolidated his presence in music production and audio engineering, leading highly relevant projects.
In 2023, she released her first album, Trifles, whose first single, Vulnerable, It featured the collaboration of Emilio Aragón and Eddi Circa.
In addition to her work in the studio, Salomé is the CEO of the record label The Duck Queen Records and plays a fundamental role in the music industry as secretary of the Circle of Producers and Engineers (CPI) of the Latin Grammy Academy, as well as an active member of the Grammy Academy and the Latin Grammy Academy.
In 2017, She founded the Ibero-American Association of Audio Producers and Engineers (PIAudio), of which she is currently president. She is also a prominent speaker and professor at institutions such as Berklee College of Music Valencia, IE University, and Complutense University of Madrid, among others.
Linda Briceño
Linda Briceño is a Venezuelan composer, trumpeter, producer and singer. Briceño grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, studying classical trumpet and percussion in The System, the music education program that also produced Gustavo Dudamel, Diego Matheyz, and Pedro Eustache.
With the help of Mireya Cisneros, Alberto Vollmer, Juan Luis Guerra, and Arturo Sandoval, Briceño moved to New York in 2013.
In 2014 he released the album Time, with two Latin Grammy Award nominations. In 2018, she made history by becoming the first woman to receive the Latin Grammy as Producer of the Year. This recognition was awarded for his work on productions such as Second floor of MV Caldera y 11 of Green Light.
In addition, he has collaborated with artists such as Juan Gabriel, Shakira and Alejandro Sanz. Beyond her artistic career, Linda has also become a social leader. In 2012, the World Economic Forum recognized her as a Young Global Shaper. for their work on empowerment strategies for young musicians in Latin America.
Catherine Marks
Catherine Marks She is an internationally renowned and multi-award-winning producer, mixer, and sound engineer. With over 18 years of experience in the industry, she has been awarded the MPG Breakthrough Producer of the Year award in 2016, the MPG Producer of the Year in 2018 and the Heavy Music Awards Producer of the Year in 2020.
He has produced and mixed Moaning Lisa Smile of Wolf Alice, Grammy-nominated, and mixed Masseduction of St. Vincent, who won a Grammy Award. Furthermore, He has worked on several albums that have reached the Top 10 in the UK, a number 1 album in Australia and, more recently, a number 1 album in the UK with boygenius.
Establishing herself as one of the most prominent figures in music production worldwide, Catherine has worked with artists such as Manchester Orchestra, The Mysterines, Alanis Morissette, The Big Moon, The Wombats, The Amazons, Frank Turner, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Local Natives, Interpol and PJ Harvey.
🎛 If you're interested in what happens when unexpected talent and tools connect, you can also read “Pedals with strange effects”, a journey through the creative toys of music.
