I run Digital Domain, a full-service mastering house near Orlando. My reputation has been built on understanding your music needs and more-often-than-not, producing exceptional masters that sound impressively better than even the best mixes. I offer a free listen/eval to your mix to see if it's ready for mastering.
I've been recording, mixing and mastering music since 1971. In 1990 I founded my Mastering House "Digital Domain". From 1980 through about 1998 I was the chief engineer, designer, recording, mixing and mastering engineer for Chesky Records, the premiere audiophile record label. I played the clarinet since the age of 10--- I dig the sound qualities of live music and bring those qualities to every genre that I work in today -- rock, prog rock, metal, jazz, hip hop, world music, folk, Americana, and much more. If it's musical, I bring musical qualities to the sound, and I do not like to be typecast in one genre or style.
I've written two best-selling books on Mastering and have a U.S. Patent on an ambience extractor which has been licensed to UAD, among others.
Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.
Credits
AllMusic verified credits for Bob Katz- Thomas Heflin
- Phil Woods
- Dan Willett
- Natalia Bolshakova
- The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
- Marley's Ghost
- Bruce Brubaker
- La Mafia
- Agusa
- Delia Derbyshire Appreciation Society
- Indigo Dreamers
- Audun Kleive
- Scheen Jazzorkester
- Richard Dowling
- Lindsey Webster
- Louis Armstrong
- Wolverine
- Mark Hetzler
- Bruce Brubaker
- Daniel O'Donnell
- The White Birch
- Agusa
- Mark Hetzler
- The Superions
- Edward Simon
- Edward Simon & Ensemble Venezuela
- Bach Festival Orchestra
- The Bach Festival Society of Winter Park
- John V. Sinclair
- Bombay Dub Orchestra
- Duke Ellington
- Duke Ellington's Famous Orchestra
- Mark Hetzler
- Wily Bo Walker
- The Danny Flam Big Band
- Marley's Ghost
- Scott Kelly
- Scott "Wino" Weinrich
- Steve Von Till
- Krüger Brothers
- The Anabasis
- The Superions
- Kasai
- Kim Pensyl
- Phil DeGreg
- Duke Ellington
- Louis Armstrong
- Jenny Hval
- Supersilent
- Supersilent
- Matthew McAllister
- The Superions
- Marley's Ghost
- Allan Vaché
- Manny Manuel
- Cassandra Wilson
- Bill Allred
- The Superions
- The Warren Vache - John Allred Quintet
- Cornelius Cardew
- United States Marine Band
- United States Marine Band
- Greasy Grapes
- Zara Tellander
- Krüger Brothers
- Ed Metz, Jr.
- Melodeers Chorus
- Lars Horntveth
- John Hicks
- Jeff Lashway
- The Aurora Project
- Tommy Fleming
- Bruce Brubaker
- In the Country
- The Superions
- Bombay Dub Orchestra
- Helm, Hudson & McCoy
- Monochrome
- Huntsville
- Susanna
- Miami Saxophone Quartet
- Hershel Yatovitz
- Gunnar Bob Madsen
- Andrea Brachfeld
- Warren Vaché
- Leticia Wolf
- Motorpsycho
- Steve Walters
- Armando Manzanero
- Manzanero Big Band Jazz de México
- Magenta
- Marco Granados
- Marco Granados
- Leny
- Lucecita Benitez
- Paquito D'Rivera
- Paquito D'Rivera
- Canvas Solaris
- The Real Tuesday Weld
- Thomas Feiner
- Tony DeMarco
- Paul Austin Kelly
- White Rocket
- XNA AllStars
- Supersilent
- Héctor Lavoe
- Steal Blue
- The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
- Bruce Brubaker
- Mighty J
- The Liberty Voices
- Jim Snyder
- Zon del Barrio
- Canvas Solaris
- Sean Malone
- Sean Malone
- The Blue Rider Trio
- Peppertown
- Allen Beeson
- Darin Leong
- Jeff Green
- Ball in the House
- Hungrytown
- Julio Castro
- Julio Castro
- Elvis Martínez
- Whyte Lyte
- Love & Mayhem
- Nicki Parrott
- Clark Pauken Ricketts
- Susanna
- Arve Henriksen
- Keith Javors
- Redhooker
- The Real Tuesday Weld
- Mico Nonet
- Lisa Markley
- Metaphor
- Sinéad O'Connor
- Ayaan Ali Khan
- Amaan Ali Khan
- Alex Clements
- 3 Fox Drive
- Alex Machacek
- Eric Hansen
- Zanussi Five
- Sunnyland Slim
- Patrick Sweany
- The White Birch
- Joseph Patrick Moore
- Johnny Pacheco
- Johnny Pacheco
- Huntsville
- In the Country
- Shrift
- Susanna and the Magical Orchestra
- Canvas Solaris
- Fred Hersch
- Electric Ganesha Land
- Rafi Val y La Diferente
- Thadeus Project
- Kristin Lomholt
- Marley's Ghost
- George Elliott
- A Triggering Myth
- Bill Allred
- Cormac Kenevey
- The Radium Screen
- The Guggenheim Grotto
- Milladoiro
- Boni Raposo
- Omar Sosa
- Rich Walker
- Barco de Papel
- Alex Clements
- Alex Clements
- Acousticon
- Wobbler
- MIDIval PunditZ
- Miami Saxophone Quartet
- Carlos Cascante
- Inga Swearingen
- David Wilson
- Afro-Cuban All Stars
- The Real Tuesday Weld
- At War with Self
- Soko
- Mark Hetzler
- Mercedes Peon
- Los Mocosos
- U-Ka
- Danny Danzi
- Clint Brown
- David Chesky
- David Chesky
- East Coast Standards Time
- Necrophagist
- Eric Milano
- Paul Austin Kelly
- LaRue Steward
- Celia Cruz
- Afro-Cuban All Stars
- George Delgado
- Chi-Pig
- Chi-Pig
- Keith Javors
- Bo Diddley
- Anna Moo
- Ricky Gonzalez
- Paul Austin Kelly
- Richard Durrant
- Paul Austin Kelly
- Christy Baron
- Gregory Simmons
- Steven Paul Dolan
- Doug Ploss
- Issa Bagayogo
- The Palladium Orchestra
- Lonely Joe
- Paul Austin Kelly
- Dan Gibson
- Coastline Band
- Clint Brown
- Arjelis y Su Grupo NV
- The Red Stick Ramblers
- Seven Nations
- Eric Hansen
- Duke Tumatoe
- Gordian Knot
- Foghat
- Kenny Sultan
- Patrick Sweany
- Bruce Brubaker
- Jeff Coffey
- Woodenhead
- Rebecca Pidgeon
- University of North Florida Jazz Ensemble
- Mark Hetzler
- Lisa Leonard
- Los Soneros del Barrio
- Return 2 Zero
- Kirk McLeod
- Palm Beach Society Orchestra
- Mark Hetzler
- Amadito Valdés
- McGill Manring Stevens
- Juan Carlos
- United States Marine Band
- Timothy Foley
- United States Marine Band
- Timothy Foley
- United States Marine Band
- Timothy Foley
- Sunnie Paxson
- John Allred
- Paul Austin Kelly
- Carol Rossio
- Milladoiro
- Clint Brown
- Voices of One
- Bob Haggart
- Bob Haggart
- Ned Otter
- James Carney
- Wuthering Heights
- Captain Harry
- Gunnar Bob Madsen
- Bluegrass Etc.
- Boni Raposo
- Arne Domnérus
- Thønk
- Forgotten Sons
- Jessica Williams
- Q-Burns Abstract Message
- Paul Austin Kelly
- Bill Allred
- Phil Cohran
- Philip Cohran & the Artistic Heritage Ensemble
- Lonnie Liston Smith
- Adrienne Kirkey
- Anywhen
- Somnambulist
- Dave Andrew
- Dan Den
- Pete Brady Big Band
- Jonathan McEuen
- Phil Salazar
- Milladoiro
- Gail Wynters
- Gail Wynters
- Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
- Bill Crofut
- Bruce Brubaker
- Duke Ellington
- Return 2 Zero
- White Willow
- Marilynn Seits
- Abbey Rader
- Peter Ponzol
- Ray's Music Exchange
- George Mraz
- Nancie Banks
- Gordian Knot
- Iluvatar
- All Hands Around
- Phillip Smith
- Natalie Douglas
- NeBeLNeST
- Grim
- Rick Fay
- Scott McGill's Hand Farm
- Scott McGill
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Juan-Carlos Formell
- Clockwork
- Paul Gonsalves
- Real Cool Traders
- Human Disorder
- Jill Towers
- Wuthering Heights
- Mike Gibbins
- Ahmad Jamal
- Margaret Christl
- Ian Gillan
- Ian Gillan
- White Willow
- Finnforest
- John Allred
- The Ozone Quartet
- Mind's Eye
- Bill Staines
- Mark Biehl
- Perla Batalla
- Ana Caram
- Gunnar Bob Madsen
- Phyllis Hyman
- Raul de Souza
- A Triggering Myth
- Gunnar Bob Madsen
- Puppet Show
- Volare
- Randy Klein
- Miguel Kertsman
- Miguel Kertsman
- Miguel Kertsman
- Siberia
- Badi Assad
- The Wizards
- Lorin Grean
- Sara K.
- North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra
- Christy Baron
- Livingston Taylor
- Frederick Washington Jr.
- Héctor Lavoe
- John Mastroianni
- Babatunde Olatunji
- Babatunde Olatunji
- David Paton
- Phil Rosenthal
- Phil Woods
- Ella Fitzgerald
- David Hykes
- David Schumacher
- Michael Carvin
- Carlos Heredia
- Carlos Heredia
- Joe Stanley
- Joseph Flummerfelt
- Westminster Choir
- Joseph Flummerfelt
- Westminster Choir
- Joseph Flummerfelt
- Westminster Choir
- Joseph Patrick Moore
- Jack Jeffers' N.Y. Classics Big Band
- I Ching
- Paquito D'Rivera
- Paquito D'Rivera
- Duke Ellington
- Ella Fitzgerald
- David Chesky
- Rebecca Pidgeon
- The Flirtations
- Chris Greco Quartet
- Jonathan Long
- Oregon
- Ana Caram
- Ebony Brass Quintet
- Lee Konitz & Brazilian Band
- Informatik
- Vincent Herring
- Bob Stewart
- Benita Meshulam
- Harvey Thomas Young
- Rick Fielding
- Verge
- Bad Influence
- Sunnyland Slim
- Randy Klein
- Harvie Swartz
- Leonard Hochman
- Al Grey
- Gary Schocker
- Gordon Bok
- Badi Assad
- Joe Mulholland
- Slavek Hanzlik
- Sara K.
- Daniel Diaz
- Barbara Hendricks
- David Peel & the Lower East Side
- David Peel & the Lower East Side
- The Fox Family
- Hamiet Bluiett
- Sandy Rothman
- A la Carte Brass & Percussion
- Nancy Monroe
- LaVerne Butler
- Vincent Herring
- Johnny Frigo
- Ernie Agosto
- Orquesta La Conspiracion
- Vincent Herring
- Fred Hersch
- Fred Hersch Trio
- Salvatore Moltisanti
- Duke Ellington
- Leny Andrade
- Duke Ellington
- Waterfront Home
- Clark Terry
- Eddie Daniels
- John Hicks
- Badi Assad
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Rebecca Pidgeon
- Larry Kaplan
- Norris Turney
- The Avant Gardeners
- Cephas & Wiggins
- Duke Ellington
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Marco Rizo
- Marco Rizo
- Marco Rizo
- Livingston Taylor
- London Festival Orchestra
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- René Leibowitz
- Oskar Danon
- London Festival Orchestra
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- René Leibowitz
- Oskar Danon
- Randy Klein
- Ana Caram
- Peggy Lee
- Sara K.
- Sara K.
- Orquesta Nova
- Byron Olson
- Boston Art Quartet
- Boston Art Quartet
- Bruce Dunlap
- Bruce Dunlap
- Tom Harrell
- Clark Terry
- Bruce Dunlap
- Kendra Shank
- Ana Caram
- Monty Alexander
- Sara K.
- Fred Hersch
- Alison Knowles
- Justo Betancourt
- Mike Wofford
- Ismael Rivera
- Mongo Santamaría
- Mongo Santamaría
- LaVerne Butler
- LaVerne Butler
- Cyrus Chestnut Trio
- Joseph Flummerfelt
- Westminster Choir
- Choir of Westminster Abbey
- Lubambo/Rubello
- Bok, Muir & Trickett
- Bok, Muir & Trickett
- Cyrus Chestnut
- Ana Caram
- Ana Caram
- David Chesky
- David Chesky
- Red Rodney
- Raymond Lewenthal
- René Leibowitz
- René Leibowitz
- Kenny Rankin
- Erich Gruenberg
- Malcolm Frager
- David Murray Quartet
- Earl Wild
- Fred Hersch
- Gary Schocker
- Paquito D'Rivera
- Clark Terry
- McCoy Tyner
- Orquesta Nova
- Tom Harrell
- Gordon Bok
- Bok, Muir & Trickett
- Gina Bachauer
- Gina Bachauer
- Herbie Mann
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Teresa Brewer
- Clark Terry
- Clark Terry
- Clark Terry
- John Pizzarelli
- Natasha
- Natasha
- John Hicks
- Earl Wild
- Earl Wild
- Phil Woods' Little Big Band
- Charles Gerhardt
- Charles Gerhardt
- Duke Ellington
- Louis Armstrong
- David Chesky
- David Chesky
- Jascha Horenstein
- Jascha Horenstein
- Phil Woods
- Phil Woods
- Johnny Frigo
- Lonnie Liston Smith
- Luiz Bonfá
- Ana Caram
- Paquito D'Rivera
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- René Leibowitz
- Marsha Frazier Quintet
- Gordon Bok
- Leon Thomas Blues Band
- The Frank Kimbrough Trio
- The Frank Kimbrough Trio
- Charles Gerhardt
- Rudolf Kempe
- Massimo Freccia
- Earl Wild
- Itzhak Perlman
- Alfred Wallenstein
- Jascha Horenstein
- Astor Piazzolla
- Astor Piazzolla
- Walter Davis, Jr.
- Walter Davis, Jr.
- Clifford Jordan Quartet
- Clifford Jordan Quartet
- Ransom Wilson
- Teresa Brewer
- Bill Staines
- Duke Ellington
- Duke Ellington
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Gordon Bok
- Bok, Muir & Trickett
- Gram Parsons & the Fallen Angels
- Gram Parsons
- Larry Harlow
- Orchestra Harlow
- Tipica '73
- Bobby Cruz
- Richie Ray
- J. Rawls
- Ricardo Ray
- Ritchie Ray
- Rubén Blades
- Willie Colón
- John Roberts & Tony Barrand
- La Sonora Ponceña
- Nashville West
- Azuquita
- Mongo Santamaría
- Hermann Szobel
- Archie Fisher
- Secret Oyster
- Eastern Rebellion
- Eastern Rebellion
- Héctor Lavoe
- The Kentucky Colonels
- Angel Canales
- Toulouse Engelhardt
- Ed Trickett
- Ann Mayo Muir
- Gordon Bok
- Celia Cruz
- Johnny Pacheco
- Fania All-Stars
- Fania All-Stars
- Bobby Valentín
- Ismael Miranda
- Stray Dog
- Impacto Crea
- Stray Dog
- Tipica '73
- Dukes of Dixieland
- Gracious
- Chivirico Davila
- Oliver Nelson
- Willie Colón
- Louis Armstrong
- Ralfi Pagan
- Joe Bataan
- Orquesta Flamboyan
- La Lupe
- Doug Dillard
- La Lupe
- George Guzman
- Willie Colón
- Joey Pastrana
- Joey Pastrana & His Orchestra
- Joey Pastrana & His Orquesta
- Joe Cuba Sextet
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Joya Sherrill
- McCoy Tyner
- Paul Gonsalves
- Henry Mancini
- Jackie Paris
- Toots Thielemans
- Tommy McCoy
- Umami Quartet
- Giuliano Nistri
- Mark Hetzler
- Martha Fischer
- Sunrunner
- Lutz Häfner
- Michael Petrovich
- Dos Cafundos
- The Mangfather Bob Katz
- The Mangfather Bob Katz
- The Mangfather Bob Katz
- The Mangfather Bob Katz
- The Mangfather Bob Katz
- The Mangfather Bob Katz
- The Mangfather Bob Katz
- Bickley Rivera
- The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
- The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
- Adrian Boult
- Clint Stewart
- Dawn
- RJ & the Assignment
- Double Pisces
- Yurodny
- White Willow
- Vestbo Trio
- Greasy Grapes
- David Garfield
- District 97
- Liberation Prophecy
- John Fifield
- Sylvia
- Ivetthy Souza
- Forest Sun
- Impureza
- Burton Greene
- The Voices
- Lizzard
- Villanova
- United States Marine Band
- BOA
- The Custodian
- Nils Fischer
- Timbazo
- David Pooler
- Francesco Turrisi
- Bach Festival Orchestra
- Bach Festival Orchestra
- Bach Festival Orchestra
- Sokoband
- Nalisio
- Larry Kaplan
- Mike Scheidt
- John Dyer Baizley
- Nate Hall
- Five Plus Six
- Five Plus Six
- Scheen Jazzorkester
- Jon Øystein Rosland
- Leticia Wolf
- Keith Javors
- Oleg Kireyev
- Cloverseeds
- Marley's Ghost
- United States Marine Band
- Sinister Resonance
- Terry Myers
- District 97
- David Garfield
- Wendy Pedersen
- Jim Gasior
- Rock Lockyer
- Bob Katz
- Bella Hardy
- Edensong
20 Reviews
Endorse Bob Katz- check_circleVerified
Working with Bob has been an incredible experience. He's a very nice & kind man to work with. He gave me advice during our early conversations which allowed me to completely enhance my song and bring it to a level that I could never have done if it weren't for his advice. An outstanding mastering engineer, Bob brought an amazing level of clarity, depth & warmth to my song & I am very grateful. I will be back again with my new EP :) Thanks Bob!
It's always a pleasure to work with someone who has stood the test of time and who has the kind of experience that Bob has. Not only is he a pro with golden ears, but such pleasure to work with. Bob has hands down done great work as a mastering engineer. In addition to that, he has also pushed my own skills and creativity as a producer and mixer. Cheers Bob!
Bob Katz,
A non-conformist, a genuine polymath and truly passionate man who's never let the pressure of industry trends & axioms ruin his audio processing. The music always comes first with Bob. He is one of the great sages of audio, inspiring the next generation of curious engineers with his books and philosophy. And his mastering... is the best you'll find anywhere in any price range. the end.I have worked with Bob on and off for over 15 years and, on every project, his ears, expertise, and mastering execution proved to be a truly indispensable sonic asset to the final production. He is one of those kind of people who just makes you and what you do better, and in ways you may not have anticipated. In my professional opinion, one of the few true innovators and masters in the field.
I have worked with Bob on Glass Hammer albums since 1993! Not only have I always been very happy with his work, I have learned so much from him. We have always prided ourselves on great mixing at my studio, but Bob adds the finishing touches and our masters shine! I'm very, very proud of all the albums he's mastered for us. Great work Bob!!!
Bob has mastered my albums with 'Nils Fischer & Timbazo' and 'CaboCubaJazz'.
He took the albums a higher level. Very open and pleasant, yet punchy sound,
and Bob gives useful and honest suggestions during the process - all in the name of music.
He is also very flexible and he communicates clearly and fast. The flawless collaboration with Mary Kent is the icing on the cake. Once Bob never back!He's been really honest, kind an worked liked a pro. Understood clearly what I was after. I learned a lot thanks to him and I still get a lot of pleasure listening to my album again and again.
He took a lot of his time to answer my questions and I really appreciate the relationship we built.
A great ingeneer and a beautiful person !!!Working in Ireland, I have been sending albums to Bob for 20 years, knowing that the music will come back right- no re-works, or not being sure, just dynamic, well balanced masters. Thanks Bob!
Bob instantly put us at ease and made the whole process simple and straight forward. The masters we received were outstanding and he completely understood our "hands off" approach to recording. We will definitely be sending the next album to Bob for the magic touch!
Bob's mastering was absolutely perfect, he really caught the essence of our sonic choices.
The most astonishing bit was his comment, even before getting the job, about the two tracks that I sent as a sample.
Such a competent and refined analysis of the sound, beautifully married to aesthetic considerations.
Final result? Exactly what we wanted.Bob is a master of the Masters!
He has been a guiding principle since the 90s whose algorithms work well until today;
"The Secret of The Mastering Engeneer" for advanced use and "The Art and The Science".
Bob is comparatively a rocket scientist when it comes to audio technology!
The One and Only King of Sound ... 5+Bob is a great professional and an extremely nice and kind person to work with. He has a very deep understanding of music and beside mastering he offers very detailed feedback on the mix, arrangement, style, performance and all other aspects of the music. His communication skills and humor helps artists confidence and makes his feedback very friendly.
We've chosen to work with Bob on our last 3 records, simply because he respects the mix 100%, & enhances it wherever possible. His attention to detail, dynamics, depth and space, as well as punch, power, and lots of other adjectives we love is second to none.
The icing on the cake is always reading his long essay explaining what he's done, how he did it, and why he's done it.
Thanks Bob!Bob Katz has been mastering our releases since 1990. Bob has the amazing ability to take whatever source material we give him and take it to a level way beyond our imagination. This is not boiler plate mastering. Bob never loses sight of the goal - musicality. He gets it and that's why I keep returning and our bands request him. - Ken Golden/Laser's Edge
My name is Hari and I'm one half of the band Hari and Sukhmani from India. I studied Bobs work in college as part of our curriculum and have been following his philosophy ever since. Bobs approach to mastering is an artform. he has created a legacy. We are grateful to have him amongst us, his friendly and down to earth manner makes him a giant amongst us mere mortals.
Bob Katz has been my mastering engineer since 1997 and has always brought my projects to a higher level of quality and sonic clarity. Through my experiences with him, I have learned how to be a better producer and have improved my mixes as well. In addition to his terrific "ears", Bob is also a musician, which helps immensely in the mastering process. He is a first class engineer!
Bob worked wonders on my project. We were on a tight deadline, and he gave it his full attention, transforming problematic source material into a rich, full, thoroughly professional-sounding master on schedule. He was always quick to respond to queries, and his personable manner put me at ease from the start. It was a pleasure to work with him. Highly recommended! Thanks!
There is nobody that does what Bob does; He takes my mix files, and actually makes them MORE spacious, and adds MORE dimension than the mixes themselves ever had. This is something that I've only experienced with Bob at the helm. In the 12 years I've known Bob, he has given every single project his full attention, love, and musicality. Thanks for everything Bob! - John Mock
Bob is an extraordinary engineer and person and it was a privilege to work alongside him. Bob graciously mastered a song of mine and entirely changed the sound, quality, and clarity in a way that no other engineer could. Myself and cowriters think very highly of Bob and will never consider using any other mastering engineer unless it's Bob Katz. I'm very fortunate to say that he's on my record.
This was the most amazing experience working with Bob! The music was transformed and every track just shines, it's open and melodious and ..special for me. And Bob gives you a selection of files from high resolution to something more middle-of-the-road. And you get an education on how to use and listen to the files. He is a dream! I feel so lucky. Go raibh míle maith agat a Bhob, Tanks a million!
Interview with Bob Katz
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Future of Forestry "Awakened to the Sound". This is a beautiful, epic, impacting, orchestral rock album. I helped bring out the epic, the organic, and the orchestra. Pleased as punch!
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A solo album by an Irish fiddler and group, a prog rock album, a wonderful gospel/Americana album, a Spanish singer/songwriter, a hard-rock Aussie and group, a Folk singer/songwriter, a bigtime Salsa artist, many more.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: I haven't looked around here much yet.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: One, the other or both! Depends on the project.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: You will be happy with the sound of your master.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I'm living the dream! Every day it's a different group with different styles and great music.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: What can you bring to my recording? I answer: Let me hear one of your mixes and I'll tell you.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Many people think I only work on acoustic music. Some of my biggest hits are with electric and semi-pop groups.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are your goals for this recording? Tell us a little about your "philosophy"--what kind of a master are you looking for? For example, "Bob, we're looking for something that's reasonably competitive but not smashed". Or "Bob, we don't need a loud master, please make it as loud as you can but without hurting the sound or the dynamics". Or even "Bob, we need this master to be competitive in level with (name of other group) and other current pop CDs in this genre. We don't care that this will make a master that sounds worse than the mix, even distorted, small and harsh---because we want it to be 'loud and competitive'."
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Listen to some of my work!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: A great stereo system and a clean, quiet power generator, and my entire record collection.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started in 1971 recording direct to 2 track, then became the chief engineer of the premier audiophile record label, and have always been mastering my own recordings. In 1990 I began Digital Domain, and began to master recordings for clients who had not recorded with me.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: "Natural". Just call me Mr. Natural. Some of my best work helps to make a lively performance sound impacting and impressive.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I wish I had had the opportunity to work with John Coltrane, Miles Davis and/or Charlie Parker. Or Django Rinehart. These are the most creative artists of their generation and I hope I would have been able to bring out the best of their art.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Before you consider your mix "finished", take it around and listen to it on a wide variety of systems. Try to ensure that your mix translates as well as possible to that variety of systems, but don't try to add bass or treble or anything to compensate for weak systems, just look for translation. Then send me that mix for a free listen/eval. If I think it's ready for mastering I will tell you. The better the mix you send me, the better the master I can make.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: See above.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening, to you and to your music. And finding just the right approach that will bring out the virtues of your music.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring out all the good qualities that you dreamed your song should have and try to de-emphasize or eliminate all the bad qualities. I have a natural ear for dynamics and tonality and if you are craving the punch, power, depth and impact of a rock song, or all the delicacy of a ballad, then you've come to the right place.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: First I give my client a free listen/eval to one of your mixes to see if it is ready for mastering. I give a detailed critique of the recording and mix and discuss its potential in mastering. I do not automatically compress, limit or Equalize. Every recording gets my custom approach that enhances its quality often beyond the belief or expectation of the musician or client. So there is no "typical" process that I apply.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Visit digido.com and click on studio for a full visit.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Bob Ludwig, Bernie Grundman, Peter Gabriel, Mark Knopfler, David Crosby... many others.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I do not like to be typecast. I master all forms of music but am most at home with music that sounds natural, is acoustic based or electro-acoustic. Some of my best clients produce in these styles: prog rock, metal, Irish, Folk, Americana, Celtic, World (African, Brazilian, Latin... many others), Jazz, Classical, too numerous to mention.