Bernie Grundman Mastering
Bernie Grundman Mastering is a private, full-service audio mastering studio in Hollywood (founded 1983) with a Tokyo subsidiary, serving major-label and independent recording artists, labels, producers, and film composers through proprietary analog and digital mastering systems across vinyl, digital, CD, and surround formats.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Bernie Grundman Mastering does
Bernie Grundman Mastering (founded 1983, operating from its Hollywood, Los Angeles studio since February 1984) is a full-service audio mastering facility that performs the final creative adjustments to recordings before commercial release. Its service portfolio spans vinyl mastering, digital mastering (including MFIT / mastered-for-iTunes and high-resolution file output), 5.1 DVD surround sound mastering, CD production mastering, and audiophile mastering for singles, EPs, LPs, and double LPs. A wholly-owned Tokyo subsidiary, opened in 1997, replicates the offering for the Japanese and broader Asian market.
The underlying technology is built around proprietary, in-house designed and modified hardware. Core systems include custom all-discrete A/B analog consoles with proprietary integrated equalizers, limiters, and line-amps; a hand-built disc mastering console with configurable tape/console input paths; ATR and Studer analog tape decks fitted with proprietary solid-state and vacuum-tube playback electronics in mono, stereo, LCR, and 4-track head configurations; Lavry Engineering digital converters (supplemented by Pacific Microsonics HDCD, Apogee, and Meitner units); Tannoy full-range monitors with custom crossovers and cabinets; and two Scully cutting lathes (solid-state and tube variants) on pneumatic isolation tables with stereo Haeco and Westrex cutter heads. The Hollywood facility spans roughly 1,200 sq ft with six mastering suites, two production rooms, a fully stocked shop, a library, and a subterranean parking area; a dedicated disc mastering room and a convertible performance space support direct-to-disc recording.
The business model is a professional services, per-project engagement model billed quote-by-project, priced by format and scope. Distribution is direct: clients (major-label and independent artists, record labels, producers, and film/TV composers) engage the studio via website contact form, email ([email protected]), or phone for in-person sessions, with remote file-based delivery available for non-local clients and Tokyo-based services for Asian clients. The studio reports responsibility for ~20% of top charting albums over 30+ years, with a roster that includes Michael Jackson's Thriller, Prince's Purple Rain, Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Kendrick Lamar's catalog, U2, and film soundtracks for John Williams and Hans Zimmer, and has been recognized with two Grammy Awards and 14 TEC Awards.
Bernie Grundman Mastering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bernie Grundman Mastering
- Legal name
- Bernie Grundmann Mastering
- Website
- https://berniegrundmanmastering.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bernie Grundman Mastering is a private, full-service audio mastering studio in Hollywood (founded 1983) with a Tokyo subsidiary, serving major-label and independent recording artists, labels, producers, and film composers through proprietary analog and digital mastering systems across vinyl, digital, CD, and surround formats.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bernie Grundman Mastering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audio Mastering Services
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Studios (51224)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audio Engineering Services (Tracking, Mixing, Mastering) (MPAIAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audio Mastering & Deliverables (Loudness/Compliance, Printmasters, Stems) (MPAHAEAL), Reissues, Remastering & Archive Services (MPAIAAAG)
Keywords
Where Bernie Grundman Mastering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Bernie Grundman Mastering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Audio Mastering Services: One-time mastering fees for various project types including singles, EPs, LPs, double LPs, vinyl mastering, CD duplication mastering, digital mastering, 5.1 DVD surround sound mastering, MFIT (mastered for iTunes), audiophile mastering, and CD production mastering. Revenue generated per project basis.
- Reference Disc Production: Production of reference discs for critical evaluation and copies for archiving purposes.
- Archival File Supply: Supply of computer files for archiving or future work as needed by clients.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Per-project pricing based on format and scope |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Bernie Grundman Mastering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bernie Grundman Mastering is a full-service audio mastering facility that performs the final creative adjustments to optimize recordings for maximum effectiveness before commercial release, promotional, or demo use. The studio provides mastering across all major formats — vinyl, CD, digital (including MFIT for iTunes), 5.1 DVD surround sound, audiophile releases, and album projects (single, EP, LP, double LP) — for music artists, record labels, producers, and film composers.
Product overview
Bernie Grundman Mastering is a full-service audio mastering facility with a portfolio of specialized mastering services. The core offering consists of mastering services for commercial release, which encompasses vinyl mastering, digital mastering (including iTunes-optimized MFIT), 5.1 surround sound mastering, CD production mastering, and album mastering formats (single, EP, LP, double LP). The company operates six mastering suites and provides ancillary services including reference disc creation and digital archiving files. The studio also maintains a Tokyo location for Asian market coverage.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mastering Services Full-service audio mastering for commercial release, promotional use, and demo purposes, specializing in final creative adjustments to optimize recordings for maximum effectiveness.
- Vinyl Mastering
Quantifiable outcome
- BGM masters 20% of the top albums
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Bernie Grundman Mastering
Customer profileNamed customers25 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Bernie Grundman Mastering technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Bernie Grundman Mastering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Bernie Grundman Mastering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sterling Sound: Premier independent mastering studio in New York and Los Angeles, widely regarded alongside BGM as one of the top two mastering facilities globally. Directly comparable on clientele (major-label marquee artists), format breadth and premium per-project pricing.
- Gateway Mastering (Bob Ludwig): Veteran, multi-engineer independent mastering studio in Portland, Maine, founded and long-associated with Bob Ludwig. Closely comparable elite-tier mastering house with a similarly deep catalog of landmark releases and Grammy-recognized engineers.
- The Mastering Lab (Doug Sax): Boutique mastering studio historically focused on audiophile and vinyl mastering, founded by Doug Sax. Direct competitor in the high-end vinyl/audiophile segment that BGM also serves, with overlapping client base among premium artists and labels.
- Masterdisk: Long-established New York mastering studio with multiple engineers serving major-label and indie clients. Directly comparable multi-suite independent mastering house competing for the same major-label mastering work as BGM.
- Howie Weinberg Mastering: Veteran LA-based mastering engineer running an independent facility with deep credits across rock, hip-hop and pop. Closely comparable premium indie mastering competitor sharing the Los Angeles market and similar client profile.
Broad incumbents
- Abbey Road Studios: Iconic London-based recording, mixing and mastering facility owned by Universal Music. A broad incumbent with overlapping mastering capabilities as part of a much wider production services portfolio; competes with BGM at the top end of the artist and film-score markets.
- Sony Music Mastering: In-house mastering arm of Sony Music Entertainment, operating multiple suites and serving Sony-affiliated and third-party clients. A label-affiliated incumbent that competes with BGM for major-label work but as part of a much broader corporate offering.
- Capitol Studios Mastering: In-house mastering operations of Universal Music Group at the historic Capitol Studios complex in Hollywood. A label-affiliated incumbent whose mastering suites compete directly with BGM in the LA market for label-driven projects.
Emerging players
- LANDR: AI-driven automated mastering platform targeting independent artists and budget-tier releases. An emerging player with partial overlap that commoditizes the lower end of the mastering market, putting indirect price pressure on independent studios like BGM.
Others
- iZotope (Ozone): Provider of professional audio software including the Ozone mastering suite, widely used by artists, producers and mastering engineers. An enabling technology vendor whose AI-assisted tools increasingly allow lower-tier mastering to be performed in-house, structurally reshaping demand for traditional mastering studios.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bernie Grundman Mastering social profiles
Digital presenceBernie Grundman Mastering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bernie Grundman Mastering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Bernie Grundman Mastering subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Bernie Grundman Mastering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bernie Grundman Mastering M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bernie Grundman Mastering
What does Bernie Grundman Mastering do?
Bernie Grundman Mastering is a full-service audio mastering facility that performs the final creative adjustments to optimize recordings for maximum effectiveness before commercial release, promotional, or demo use. The studio provides mastering across all major formats — vinyl, CD, digital (including MFIT for iTunes), 5.1 DVD surround sound, audiophile releases, and album projects (single, EP, LP, double LP) — for music artists, record labels, producers, and film composers.
Is Bernie Grundman Mastering a public or private company?
Bernie Grundman Mastering is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Bernie Grundman Mastering founded?
Bernie Grundman Mastering was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bernie Grundman Mastering based?
Bernie Grundman Mastering is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bernie Grundman Mastering make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Audio Mastering Services are the primary driver. The others are reference Disc Production and archival File Supply.
Who are Bernie Grundman Mastering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sterling Sound, Gateway Mastering (Bob Ludwig), The Mastering Lab (Doug Sax), Masterdisk and Howie Weinberg Mastering. Broad incumbents are Abbey Road Studios, Sony Music Mastering and Capitol Studios Mastering. LANDR is listed as an emerging player. iZotope (Ozone) is listed as an others.
Does Bernie Grundman Mastering have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bernie Grundman Mastering.
What industry is Bernie Grundman Mastering in?
Bernie Grundman Mastering's product category is Audio Mastering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAHAD, Audio Engineering Services (Tracking, Mixing, Mastering), with a secondary code of MPAHAEAL, Audio Mastering & Deliverables (Loudness/Compliance, Printmasters, Stems). Its NAICS code is 51224.