Ted Jensen

Ted Jensen
Dmileson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Ted Jensen
Birth date	1954
Birth place	New Rochelle, New York
Occupation	audio mastering engineer, music producer
Years active	1970s–present
Notable works	Hotel California, Dark Side of the Moon (mastering credits disputed), Nevermind, 21, Blackstar
Awards	Grammy Award

Ted Jensen is an American audio mastering engineer and record producer known for decades of mastering work across rock, pop, metal, jazz, and soundtrack releases. He has been associated with major labels, independent studios, and landmark albums that influenced popular music production and distribution. Jensen's career encompasses analog-era mastering through digital and streaming-era loudness standards, collaborating with artists, producers, and engineers across multiple genres.

Early life and education

Born in New Rochelle, New York in 1954, Jensen grew up during the rise of rock and roll and the expansion of commercial recording in the United States. He was exposed to regional radio stations and recordings from labels such as Columbia Records, Atlantic Records, and Capitol Records that shaped his early interest in sound. Jensen pursued technical training and on-the-job apprenticeships rather than a conventional conservatory route, studying tape handling, signal flow, and mastering-room acoustics under experienced technicians associated with studios like Sterling Sound and mastering engineers mentored by figures from RCA Records and MGM Records.

Career beginnings and mastering work

Jensen began his professional career in the mid-1970s at a time when major facilities like Sterling Sound and Masterdisk were central to the album production pipeline. Early work included cutting lacquers, aligning analog tape machines such as the Studer A80, and preparing masters for pressing plants tied to labels including Warner Bros. Records, Sony Music Entertainment, and Island Records. He worked closely with producers and engineers from studios such as Power Station (recording studio), Electric Lady Studios, and Abbey Road Studios on mastering for vinyl, cassette, and later compact disc formats. Jensen became known for balancing low-frequency weight and transient detail on rock and pop records, attracting collaborations with prominent artists and production teams.

Notable projects and discography

Over several decades Jensen mastered albums across a broad roster of artists, contributing to landmark releases that affected popular music and sound engineering practices. His credits include platters and reissues for acts such as The Eagles, Pink Floyd (mastering lineage often debated among engineers), Nirvana, Muse, Steely Dan, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, AC/DC, Green Day, Norah Jones, Adele, David Bowie, Metallica, R.E.M., Oasis, Tom Petty, and John Mayer. He also worked on major soundtrack projects tied to franchises and films produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, Disney, and Universal Pictures, as well as remaster campaigns for historical catalogs from Atlantic Records and Motown Records. Jensen's discography spans studio albums, live recordings, deluxe reissues, and high-resolution audio releases for labels such as Republic Records, Columbia Records, and Island Records.

Production techniques and equipment

Jensen's mastering approach bridges analog circuitry and digital signal processing. He has frequently used tube and solid-state equalizers from manufacturers like Neve, API, and Manley Labs, as well as analog compressors including SSL dynamics and hardware from Fairchild. Tape machines such as the Ampex ATR-102 and monitoring systems from Genelec and Yamaha influenced his tonal checks. In the digital domain, Jensen adopted conversion technologies from Mytek, Benchmark Media Systems, and Lynx Studio Technology, integrating digital audio workstations like Pro Tools and high-resolution formats including DSD and PCM. He is known for detailed spectral balancing, careful brickwall limiting choice, and preparing masters for medium-specific delivery—vinyl lacquer cutting specifications for pressing plants, CD Red Book compliance for Compact Disc releases, and LUFS/gated loudness targets for streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal.

Awards and recognition

Jensen's mastery has been recognized by the recording industry and peers. He has received nominations and wins at the Grammy Awards for mastering engineering on high-profile records, and has been cited by publications like Mix (magazine), Sound on Sound, and Billboard for contributions to audio quality on top-charting releases. His work on commercially successful and critically acclaimed albums has led to awards and certifications from RIAA and international chart organizations, and he is often credited in liner notes and industry databases for mastering achievements that impacted sales and streaming performance.

Personal life and legacy

Jensen has maintained a professional presence in cities with major music industries, including studios in New York City and later facilities associated with the mastering community. He has mentored younger engineers and contributed to education through interviews, workshops, and guest lectures at institutions like Berklee College of Music and industry events such as AES (Audio Engineering Society) conventions and NAMM Show. His legacy includes shaping the sonic character of multiple generations of recordings, influencing mastering standards for format transitions from vinyl to CD to streaming, and leaving a lasting imprint on catalogs held by labels such as Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Group.

Category:Audio engineers Category:Record producers