Best Mastering Engineers

The question of who are the best mastering engineers is entirely subjective, and probably a little silly. But with that said, we’re going to talk about some of the team’s personal favorites.

Bob Ludwig

Bob Ludwig's career in mastering is truly remarkable, spanning over 50 years and earning him 13 Grammy Awards among other accolades. He began his fascination with audio as a child in South Salem, New York, and went on to receive both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Eastman School of Music. His career took off after working as an assistant to Phil Ramone, leading to positions at A&R Recording, Sterling Sound, and Masterdisk, before founding his own record mastering facility, Gateway Mastering Studios, in Portland, Maine, in 1992.

Ludwig's mastering work has covered a broad spectrum of artists, from classical ensembles like the Kronos Quartet to iconic rock acts including Jimi Hendrix, Metallica, Nirvana, and many others. He has also been involved in remastering the back catalogues of Rush, Dire Straits, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and the Rolling Stones. His contributions have not only impacted the careers of well-known artists but also helped in guiding the careers of up-and-coming independent artists through his role as a judge for the Independent Music Awards.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ludwig has a deep love for music, which remains a significant part of his life even outside of work. His personal music collection is diverse, ranging from classical and jazz to hard rock and beyond, indicating his broad appreciation for music across genres. Ludwig announced his retirement in 2023, marking the end of an era in the mastering industry, but his influence and contributions will continue to resonate within the music community for many years to come.

Bernie Grundman

Bernie Grundman is a highly respected figure in the audio engineering world, renowned for his expertise in mastering. Born on December 16, 1943, in Minneapolis, he has significantly contributed to the music industry with his mastering work. Grundman opened his studio, Bernie Grundman Mastering, in Hollywood in 1984, which has become a key player in the industry, mastering 37 projects that received Grammy Award nominations in 2005 alone. During the 1980s, Grundman established himself one of the top in his field, mastering the iconic Thriller, by Michael Jackson. Years later, his studio would expand internationally with the opening of a Tokyo branch in 1997. Throughout his career, Grundman and his studio have won numerous TEC Awards, including Best Mastering Facility and several production awards. His journey in the music industry began at Contemporary Records before he became head of the A&M Records mastering department in Los Angeles. His studio is known for mastering a wide range of iconic albums and tracks, from artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, the Carpenters, Steely Dan, to Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, showcasing his versatility and excellence in the field​​.

Wally Traugott

Wally Traugott was a renowned mastering and lacquer-cutting engineer, notable for his work in the United States. Born on September 11, 1934, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Traugott had a recording career as a fiddle player in Canada during the 1950s and 1960s before making a significant impact in the music industry in the U.S. He is particularly known for his long tenure at Capitol Records' Capitol Mastering subsidiary, starting in the late 1960s until the mid-1990s. His name, Wally or Wly, is credited in the runout grooves of records, often alongside the "Mastered by Capitol" stamp, indicating his involvement in the mastering process. Traugott's expertise covered a wide range of music, including Top 40 Rock and Pop to artists like the Beastie Boys. He passed away on December 3, 2010, in Tucson, Arizona​.

His obituary reflects the deep admiration and respect from those who knew him personally and professionally, highlighting not only his technical skills and work ethic but also his warm personality and ability to make everyone feel like a star. Traugott's legacy in the music industry is solidified by his contributions to the sound of Capitol Studios and his influence on countless records that continue to be enjoyed by music lovers worldwide​.

Traugott's work is often compared and discussed among audiophiles, especially notable in discussions around specific pressings of albums that he mastered. For example, his mastering of Boston's first album showcases the significant impact a mastering engineer can have on the sound quality of a record. The "Wally" pressing of the album is highly regarded among collectors and audiophiles for its robust and dynamic sound​.

Wally Traugott's career in mastering left a lasting impression on the music industry, with a discography that spans a vast array of artists and genres, demonstrating his versatility and expertise as a mastering engineer. His contributions to music production and mastering have earned him a place in history as one of the industry's most respected figures.

Brian “Big Bass” Gardner

Brian "Big Bass" Gardner is a renowned American mastering engineer with a career starting in the mid-1960s. Known for his work across various genres, including classic rock, funk, disco, alternative rock, R&B, hip hop, pop punk, and dance-pop, he has notably collaborated with Dr. Dre, who gave him the nickname "Big Bass". Gardner has been recognized for his significant contributions to the music industry, being nominated eight times for the Grammy Album Of The Year Award and winning once for the Outkast album "SpeakerBoxxx/The Love Below"​ in 2003. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gardner would put his touch to some of the most iconic disco house and italo records of the era, mastering works for the legendary Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder.