Masterdisk
Masterdisk is a professional audio mastering and vinyl cutting studio founded in 1973, serving international artists and labels from its Peekskill, NY facility. Services include mastering, vinyl cutting using Neumann equipment, recording, video production, and vintage media restoration.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Masterdisk does
Masterdisk is a professional audio mastering and vinyl cutting studio founded in 1973 and currently headquartered at 1245 Park Street in Peekskill, New York, on the Hudson Riverfront. The company is registered as MASTERDISK STUDIOS, INC., is privately held, and has been owned and operated by Chief Mastering Engineer Scott Hull since he purchased the studio in June 2008. The business serves international recording artists, independent and major record labels, and individuals with vintage recordings from a single consolidated facility.
The core technical offering is professional audio mastering for all formats (vinyl, digital, and streaming), executed on a Neumann VMS-82 lathe with an SX-74 cutter head for vinyl lacquers — equipment described in-house as one of the most sought-after vinyl cutting systems in the world. Beyond mastering and cutting, the studio operates a recording space inspired by 1950s live-recording techniques, an audio-focused video production unit, a vintage media restoration/transfer service (handling analog tapes, DAT, 78s, LPs, and family heirlooms), and a boutique vinyl-exclusive record label launched in 2022. Named clients and credits include John Zorn, Sting, Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, John Mayer, Marc Ribot, and Garbage, with Grammy-winning work including Steely Dan's "Two Against Nature" (Album of the Year).
Masterdisk earns revenue through project-based professional services fees determined via consultation, with intake handled through web forms and free 15-minute introductory calls with Scott Hull. Additional revenue streams include direct-to-consumer vinyl sales through a Shopify storefront, ticket sales for live studio recording events, and a content-marketing footprint via the "Making Vinyl @ Masterdisk" podcast and educational blog. Distribution is direct: website-driven project consultation for B2B clients, e-commerce for consumer vinyl sales, and on-site sessions at the Peekskill facility. The go-to-market relies heavily on Hull's personal reputation, word-of-mouth referrals, and high-profile artist testimonials rather than outbound sales. The core team is small and specialized (approximately 11-50 employees total), and the company has no disclosed external funding.
Masterdisk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Masterdisk
- Legal name
- MASTERDISK STUDIOS, INC.
- Website
- https://masterdisk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Masterdisk is a professional audio mastering and vinyl cutting studio founded in 1973, serving international artists and labels from its Peekskill, NY facility. Services include mastering, vinyl cutting using Neumann equipment, recording, video production, and vintage media restoration.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Masterdisk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audio Mastering and Vinyl Production Services
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Studios (51224), Record Production and Distribution (512250), Sound Recording Industries (5122)
- SIC
- Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audio Engineering Services (Tracking, Mixing, Mastering) (MPAIAHAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audio Mastering & Deliverables (Loudness/Compliance, Printmasters, Stems) (MPAHAEAL), Audio Editing & Restoration (Cleanup, Noise Reduction) (MPAIAHAJ), Master Rights Ownership & Catalog Management (MPAIAAAB)
Keywords
Where Masterdisk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Masterdisk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Professional Mastering Services: Audio mastering for digital, vinyl, and streaming formats. Project-based professional service fees.
- Vinyl Cutting & Lacquers: High-quality disk cutting services for vinyl records. Lacquers are cut and sent to pressing plants.
- Recording Studio: Live recording sessions in professional studio environment with experienced engineers.
- Restoration Services: Restoration and transfer of vintage recordings from analog tapes, DAT, 78s, LPs, and other formats to digital.
- Video Production: Professional video production services with audio focus, including live performance videos, corporate videos, and product demonstrations.
- Boutique Record Label: Vinyl-exclusive record label selling vinyl releases through their Shopify storefront.
- Live Event Tickets: Sale of tickets to live studio recording events (e.g., $50 tickets for James Maddock live sessions).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based professional services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Masterdisk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Masterdisk provides professional audio mastering for digital, vinyl, and streaming formats as its core service, using a Neumann VMS-82 lathe with an SX-74 cutter head for high-quality vinyl lacquer cutting, a 1950s-inspired live recording studio, in-studio and remote video production, and audio restoration/transfer services for vintage recordings. The company also operates a boutique vinyl-exclusive record label selling curated vinyl releases through its own Shopify storefront.
Product overview
Masterdisk is a multi-service audio production facility offering mastering, vinyl cutting, recording studio, video production, and restoration services. Founded in 1973, it operates as a single unified studio facility in Peekskill, NY, with Mastering as the core service supporting all formats including vinyl records, digital delivery, and streaming. The Recording Studio complements the mastering operation with live recording capabilities. The company also runs a boutique vinyl-exclusive record label and hosts the 'Making Vinyl @ Masterdisk' podcast. Pre-Mastering Mix Evaluation is an additional service helping clients prepare mixes before the mastering stage.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mastering Professional audio mastering for all digital formats and vinyl, serving as the final creative stage of music production to refine and balance recordings for commercial release.
- Vinyl Cutting High-quality vinyl lacquer cutting using a Neumann VMS-82 lathe and Neumann SX-74 cutter head, producing master lacquers that are sent to pressing plants for record production.
- Recording Studio Large open recording space inspired by 1950s recording techniques where tracks are recorded live with all musicians in the same acoustic space, supporting digital recording, tape recording, live stream video, and music video production.
- Video Production Professional in-studio and remote video production services with an audio quality focus, including live performance videos, product demonstrations, corporate videos, and educational videos.
- Restoration Audio restoration and transfer services for vintage recordings including analog tapes, DAT, 78s, LPs, and family heirloom recordings, with free inspection and evaluation.
- Masterdisk Record Label Boutique vinyl-exclusive record label offering curated vinyl releases sold through Masterdisk's Shopify storefront.
- Pre-Mastering Mix Evaluation Objective professional feedback service from the resident mix coach to help clients determine if their mix is prepared for mastering before final production.
Quantifiable outcome
- Many Grammy-winning titles mastered at the facility
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Masterdisk
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Masterdisk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Masterdisk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Masterdisk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Sonosphere Mastering & Vinyl: Boutique NYC mastering and vinyl cutting studio with lathe capability; emerging direct competitor in the premium vinyl-cutting niche serving smaller labels and indie artists.
Direct peers
- Dave McNair Mastering: Veteran engineer offering vinyl and digital mastering (Georgetown Masters); directly comparable small-mastering-shop positioning with strong audio engineering credentials.
- Sterling Sound: Long-established New York mastering studio with multiple rooms and Grammy-winning engineers (Ted Jensen, Chris Gehringer). Direct competitor for high-end album mastering and vinyl cutter bookings.
- The Lodge Mastering: Mastering studio (Greg Calbi, Emily Lazar) known for indie and high-profile rock records; direct competitor for high-end mastering on the US East Coast.
- Chalice Recording Studios / Mastering: Boutique LA mastering house serving major releases; peer in the high-end independent mastering segment with similar vinyl-cutting capability.
- Marcussen Mastering: Family-run mastering facility in California with a long reputation for analog warmth, classical, and audiophile vinyl mastering; competes in the same premium mastering and vinyl space.
- Bernie Grundman Mastering: Long-running LA-based mastering house (Bernie Grundman) with a multi-room, multi-engineer setup; competes directly for premium album mastering and vinyl cutter work.
- Gateway Mastering Studios: Bob Ludwig's Portland, Maine-based mastering facility, considered one of the world's premier mastering houses. Competes head-to-head for top-tier rock, jazz, and classical albums.
Broad incumbents
- Abbey Road Studios: Iconic London studio offering mastering alongside full recording, mixing, and live-recording services; competes in the same prestige vinyl-and-audio-engineering market but as part of a much broader portfolio.
- Battery Studios (Sony Music Mastering): In-house mastering operation of Sony Music with multiple Grammy-winning engineers and rooms in NYC; overlapping clientele and capability profile with Masterdisk but with major-label backing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Masterdisk social profiles
Digital presenceMasterdisk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Masterdisk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Masterdisk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Masterdisk 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 Masterdisk
What does Masterdisk do?
Masterdisk provides professional audio mastering for digital, vinyl, and streaming formats as its core service, using a Neumann VMS-82 lathe with an SX-74 cutter head for high-quality vinyl lacquer cutting, a 1950s-inspired live recording studio, in-studio and remote video production, and audio restoration/transfer services for vintage recordings. The company also operates a boutique vinyl-exclusive record label selling curated vinyl releases through its own Shopify storefront.
Is Masterdisk a public or private company?
Masterdisk is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Masterdisk founded?
Masterdisk was founded in 1973. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Masterdisk based?
Masterdisk is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Masterdisk make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Professional Mastering Services are the primary driver. The others are vinyl Cutting & Lacquers, recording Studio, restoration Services, video Production, boutique Record Label and live Event Tickets.
Who are Masterdisk's main competitors?
Sonosphere Mastering & Vinyl is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Dave McNair Mastering, Sterling Sound, The Lodge Mastering, Chalice Recording Studios / Mastering, Marcussen Mastering, Bernie Grundman Mastering and Gateway Mastering Studios. Broad incumbents are Abbey Road Studios and Battery Studios (Sony Music Mastering).
Does Masterdisk have an API?
No public API is recorded for Masterdisk.
What industry is Masterdisk in?
Masterdisk's product category is Audio Mastering and Vinyl Production 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 and its SIC code is 3652.