Sterling Sound

Sterling Sound
Dmileson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Sterling Sound
Type	Mastering studio
Founded	1968
Founder	Lee Hulko
Location	New York City; Nashville; Edgewater, New Jersey; Bergen County
Industry	Music production
Notable persons	Ted Jensen; George Marino; Bob Ludwig; Emily Lazar

Sterling Sound is a prominent American audio mastering studio known for mastering recordings across rock, pop, jazz, electronic, hip hop, and classical music. Founded in 1968, the facility has been associated with landmark albums, major record labels, and influential engineers, contributing to releases by artists and producers around the world. Over decades Sterling Sound has operated alongside studios, record companies, and music venues in key music centers and has been recognized with awards and technical innovations.

History

Sterling Sound traces origins to the late 1960s recording boom and links to figures such as Lee Hulko, whose early work intersected with companies like Atlantic Records, Columbia Records, Capitol Records, Motown, and Verve Records. In the 1970s and 1980s Sterling Sound engineers collaborated with producers from Phil Spector's associated circle, Tom Dowd, Glyn Johns, George Martin, Quincy Jones, and Brian Eno. The studio’s trajectory included interactions with industry events like the Grammy Awards, the BPI Awards, and trade changes following the rise of Compact Disc technology and the shift driven by Digital Audio Workstation adoption. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s Sterling Sound worked with labels such as Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Island Records, and independent houses linked to Sub Pop and Matador Records. Management and ownership changes involved executives associated with firms like Ted Jensen's contemporaries and partnerships with engineers from Masterdisk and studios in Nashville and Los Angeles.

Facilities and Locations

Sterling Sound has maintained multiple facilities across major music cities. Original and subsequent sites have been part of New York City audio geography along with studios such as Electric Lady Studios, Avatar Studios, The Hit Factory, Power Station, and relocated operations near Edgewater, New Jersey and Bergen County. Expansion included a Nashville facility in proximity to Music Row and studios frequented by session musicians associated with Ocean Way Nashville and Blackbird Studio. Sterling Sound’s spaces have interfaced with film post-production hubs like Skywalker Sound and broadcast centers connected to CBS Studios and NBC Studios.

Notable Engineers and Staff

The studio’s reputation is tied to engineers and mastering professionals who have become prominent names in audio. Notable figures include Ted Jensen (associated with projects by The Eagles, Green Day, Norah Jones), Bob Ludwig (who collaborated with Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Daft Punk), George Marino (worked on AC/DC, Metallica), and Emily Lazar (known for work with Beyoncé, Foo Fighters). Other staff and alumni have included engineers who collaborated with producers such as Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, Max Martin, Mark Ronson, and mixers like Andy Wallace and Chris Lord-Alge. Sterling Sound personnel have engaged with mastering for artists linked to Madonna, Prince, David Bowie, Radiohead, Adele, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, The Rolling Stones, U2, Coldplay, Jay-Z, Björk, The Beatles–through archival projects–and many independent musicians on labels such as XL Recordings.

Major Releases and Clients

Sterling Sound’s catalog spans high-profile albums, film soundtracks, and singles. The studio has mastered releases for acts on Atlantic Records, Def Jam Recordings, Columbia Records, Island Records, RCA Records, and Interscope Records. Landmark projects include popular releases connected to The Beatles reissues, remasters for Led Zeppelin box sets, contemporary albums by Adele and Taylor Swift, and soundtrack work for films distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and Disney. Sterling Sound has also serviced electronic and dance artists affiliated with Ministry of Sound, Ninja Tune, Warp Records, and hip hop luminaries associated with Roc-A-Fella Records and Aftermath Entertainment.

Awards and Recognition

Engineers from Sterling Sound have been credited on projects that received Grammy Award nominations and wins across categories including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Engineered Album, and Producer of the Year. Sterling Sound–affiliated mastering work has been recognized at industry ceremonies such as the Grammy Awards, BRIT Awards, American Music Awards, and technical honors from organizations like the Audio Engineering Society. Individual engineers have received lifetime achievement recognition in publications associated with Mix Magazine and institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when their projects entered halls or received archival awards.

Technical Equipment and Innovations

Sterling Sound’s technical profile includes use and customization of analog gear and integration of digital tools. The studio has utilized consoles and processors from manufacturers such as Neve, SSL (Solid State Logic), api (Automatic Processes, Inc.), Manley Laboratories, and mastering tools from Dangerous Music and Dave Hill Designs. Monitoring systems have included loudspeakers from Yamaha, ATC, Bowers & Wilkins, and studio acousticians who worked in the tradition of AES standards. Sterling Sound engineers contributed to mastering workflows that bridged formats including Vinyl record cutting, Compact Disc authoring, high-resolution formats promoted by HDtracks, and streaming mastering practices aligned with platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and TIDAL. Innovations and practices developed by staff have influenced loudness normalization debates tied to ITU-R BS.1770 standards and adoption of immersive formats such as Dolby Atmos in music.

Category:Recording studios