What Masque Sound does

Masque Sound and Recording Corporation, operating as Masque Sound, is a privately held, family-operated provider of professional audio services founded in October 1936 and headquartered at 21 East Union Avenue, East Rutherford, New Jersey. The company's functional focus is sound reinforcement and systems integration for theatrical productions, broadcast environments, and permanent venue installations. Its service portfolio spans four interconnected streams: (1) custom audio equipment rental packages for Broadway productions, touring shows, and regional theater; (2) systems integration for permanent installations across theaters, educational institutions, houses of worship, and hospitality venues; (3) pro sound equipment sales through a dedicated division and online storefront; and (4) on-site production services including show preparation and technical support on a 24/7, 365-day basis. The technical stack is built around best-in-class third-party brands — d&b audiotechnik loudspeakers, Shure Axient Digital wireless, Professional Wireless Systems RF gear, Wisycom processing, Meyer Sound, and Yamaha — supplemented by Masque Sound's own design, fabrication, and integration expertise, including spatial audio capability via d&b Soundscape and Dante-based networked DSP.

The business model is project-based with quote-based, multi-year contract pricing across both rental and installation engagements. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct, with relationships cultivated primarily through long-tenured connections to Broadway sound designers and venue decision-makers. Headcount sits in the 101–250 range, and the company serves a recurring set of named customers including Broadway productions (Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mamma Mia, Kinky Boots), regional theaters (Lincoln Center Theater, Park Avenue Armory, Baltimore Center Stage, New Victory Theater), festivals (Spoleto Festival USA, Williamstown Theatre Festival), cultural institutions (Orchestra of St. Luke's DiMenna Center), religious sites (St. Patrick's Cathedral), and educational facilities (High Tech High School, The Morgan School, Manhattanville College). The customer base is geographically concentrated in the U.S. Northeast, with select engagements in the Midwest and Southeast, and is structurally diversified across four verticals: theater and live performance, educational institutions, houses of worship, and hospitality/entertainment venues.

Masque Sound's competitive position rests on tenure (nearly 90 years of continuous operation since its first Broadway engagement, Idiot's Delight at The Shubert Theatre), OEM-level partnerships with d&b, Shure, Professional Wireless Systems, and others, a long-standing collaboration with Akustiks, LLC on electro-acoustic design, and a family-driven institutional knowledge base. There is no disclosed revenue, no outside institutional ownership, and no public growth metrics; the firm has remained an independent private corporation under Shearing family leadership across multiple generations.

Name

Masque Sound

Legal name

Masque Sound and Recording Corporation

Website

https://masquesound.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Masque Sound and Recording Corporation is a privately held, family-operated audio services firm founded in 1936, providing sound reinforcement rental, permanent AV systems integration, equipment sales, and on-site production support to Broadway productions, touring shows, educational institutions, houses of worship, and performance venues across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Audio Services / Theatrical Sound Reinforcement

NAICS

Other Sound Recording Industries (512290), Sound Recording Studios (51224), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

akta.pro primary industry

Sound Post-Production (Dialogue, ADR, Foley, Mixing) (MPADAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Re-Recording Mixing (Theatrical/TV/Streaming) (MPAHAEAF), Immersive/Spatial Audio Production (Dolby Atmos, 5.1/7.1, Binaural) (MPAHAEAJ), Voiceover Recording & Production (Narration, Promo, Commercial VO) (MPAHAEAK), Home Theater Audio Systems (AV Receivers, Speaker Packages) (CRACANAH)

Keywords

• Theatrical sound reinforcement
• Professional audio systems
• AV systems integration
• Permanent audio installation
• Broadcast audio services

Headquarters

HQ city

East Rutherford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Audio Equipment Rental for Productions: Masque Sound provides custom audio equipment packages on a rental basis for Broadway productions, touring shows, and limited-engagement theatrical performances. Equipment rental includes microphones, mixing consoles, amplifiers, and loudspeakers tailored to each production's run.
2. Permanent Installation Services: Design, procurement, and installation of complete AV systems for theaters, educational institutions, houses of worship, and performance venues. Includes system integration, equipment procurement, and ongoing maintenance support.
3. Pro Sound Equipment Sales: Sales of professional audio equipment including loudspeakers, mixing consoles, wireless systems, signal processing, and related gear through their Pro Sound Sales division.
4. Production Services: Technical production support services including show preparation, equipment setup, and on-site technical assistance during productions and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Masque Sound provides custom audio equipment packages, sound reinforcement, permanent AV systems integration, and production services for Broadway productions, touring shows, and permanent venue installations. The company designs, procures, installs, and supports theatrical audio systems for theaters, educational institutions, houses of worship, and performance venues, with equipment rental, on-site technical support, and 24/7 service.

Product overview

Masque Sound is a theatrical sound reinforcement and installation company founded in 1936, providing comprehensive audio services for Broadway productions and permanent venue installations. The company offers a portfolio of interconnected services including theatrical sound reinforcement with custom audio equipment packages, systems integration for permanent installations, Pro Sound Sales, Professional Wireless services, Production Services, Custom Fabrications, and Broadcast Services. Key technology solutions include d&b Soundscape spatial audio systems and Dante-based DSP for networked AV routing. The company serves diverse markets including Broadway theater, touring productions, educational institutions, houses of worship, and performance venues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theatrical Sound Reinforcement
• Permanent AV Systems Integration

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 years of service to Delacorte Theater in Central Park
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, preferred and notable.

• Akustiks, LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing strategic partnership with Akustiks, LLC, an architectural & electro-acoustic design firm based in Norwalk, CT. Principal designer Anthony Nittoli formerly worked with Masque Sound and maintains consulting relationships. Companies have collaborated on multiple high-profile installations including New Victory Theater upgrades, St. Bartholomew's Church, and DiMenna Center for Classical Music.
• Professional Wireless SystemspreferredTechnology or IntegrationPreferred vendor for wireless microphone antenna systems. Masque Sound utilizes Professional Wireless Systems helical antennas for RF reception and domed antennas for transmit, processed through Wisycom units for optimal signal quality.
• d&b audiotechnikpreferredTechnology or IntegrationPrimary loudspeaker brand used in many installations. d&b products including Y-series, V-series, J-series, T-series line arrays and subwoofers, along with D6 and D12 amplifiers and R1 system control software, are frequently specified for Masque Sound installations.
• Dayglo PresentsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on systems integration project at Garcia's Chicago, a new restaurant and live music venue inspired by Jerry Garcia. Masque Sound delivered world-class sound and video systems with Meyer Sound loudspeakers and Yamaha audio equipment.
• Orchestra of St. Luke'snotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerClient partner for the $36 million DiMenna Center for Classical Music installation project. Masque Sound served as the AV integration contractor working with Orchestra of St. Luke's to create comprehensive systems for the new facility.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Autograph Sound Recording: London-based theatrical sound reinforcement and rental company serving West End and Broadway productions. Closely comparable to Masque Sound as a specialized theatrical audio provider with deep show-designer relationships, custom equipment packages, and touring support.
• Sprint Power (theatrical sound services): Specialized theatrical sound rental and engineering company serving regional and touring productions. Comparable niche competitor in custom show-specific audio packages for theater.
• Clair Brothers: U.S.-based pro audio company providing sound reinforcement for live touring, concerts, and theatrical productions. Comparable to Masque in large-format loudspeaker deployment, custom system design, and touring production services.
• Stage Sound Services: UK-based provider of sound equipment rental and production services to West End and touring theatrical productions. Comparable theatrical-focused rental business model with custom equipment packages for individual shows.
• Sound Associates: UK-based theatrical sound, communication, and AV systems provider for West End theatres and cultural venues. Direct comparable to Masque's theatrical rental and venue installation business, including assistive listening and integrated AV.
• Solotech: Canadian pro audio, lighting, and video rental/integration company serving live entertainment, touring, and venue installations. Comparable as a large-scale theatrical/touring audio provider with custom system design capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• AVI-SPL: Large U.S. AV systems integrator serving corporate, education, and government clients. Comparable to Masque's permanent installation line (educational institutions, chapels, performance venues), though much broader in vertical scope and scale.
• PRG (Production Resource Group): Global provider of entertainment production services spanning audio, video, lighting, and rigging. Overlaps with Masque in theatrical and event audio reinforcement and venue integration, but operates as a much broader, multi-discipline incumbent.

Regional players

• Ford Audio-Video Systems: U.S.-based AV systems integrator with a strong portfolio of worship, education, and performing arts center installations. Comparable to Masque's houses-of-worship and education installation work, particularly in the central U.S.

Others

• d&b audiotechnik: Premium pro audio loudspeaker and Soundscape manufacturer whose products are a primary specification for Masque installations. Relevant as a key supplier/partner; potential future threat if d&b expands direct-to-venue sales channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MasqueSound

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Masque Sound