WAX

What WAX does

WAX LTD is a privately held, founder-owned music production company and record label based at 1441 North McCadden Place in Hollywood, CA — the former TTG Studios associated with The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, the Velvet Underground, and Neil Young. It was co-founded by multi-platinum producers/songwriters Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry, and operates a state-of-the-art recording facility that pairs current digital equipment with a curated collection of vintage analog gear (guitars, synths, amps). The company is organized around three interconnected offerings: WAX LTD Studios (recording, mixing, and production services), WAX LTD Records (the in-house label with a roster currently including Blondfire, WORLDS, Nona, Emerson Star, fakelife, Whissell, Micky Blue, Jukebox the Ghost, Modern Monet, and Born Rivals), and Audio Wax (a production-music label for Film, TV, Trailers, and Brands launched January 1, 2019 as a joint venture with Universal Production Music / Killer Tracks).

The business generates revenue through four primary streams: professional studio services billed directly to both roster and external clients, label royalties and master rights distributed via Apple Music/iTunes and Spotify, sync and production-music licensing royalties via Audio Wax, and songwriting/publishing income from co-writing and producing credits (e.g., Elliphant's "Til The End," Zella Day's "High," Larkin Poe's "Trouble in Mind"). Distribution flows through Universal Production Music for the Audio Wax catalog and through major-label partners (Warner Records, Nettwerk, Harvest/Capitol, Sony Classical) for select production-client releases. Pricing for studio bookings and licensing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

WAX LTD's customer base spans indie/emerging signed artists, major-label production clients (historically including Miley Cyrus, Muse, Rihanna, Maroon 5, Bon Iver), and enterprise buyers of production music for visual media. The company has accumulated industry recognition including a 2019 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Production/Producer and notable sync placements in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, CW's Riverdale/Dynasty, CBS' S.W.A.T., TV Land's Younger, and The Simpsons. Marketing is driven by earned media (Billboard, KCRW, BuzzBands LA, SPIN, Paste, Pop Crush, Idolator, Interview Magazine), owned social (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), live showcases (the WAX/Riptide series), and industry events (SXSW). The website footer indicates active operations as of 2026; no funding rounds, investors, M&A, or financial disclosures are present in the source material.

Name

WAX

Legal name

WAX LTD, Inc.

Website

https://waxltd.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WAX LTD is a privately held Hollywood music production company and record label founded by multi-platinum producers Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry, operating a heritage studio at the former TTG site and serving signed indie artists, major-label production clients, and enterprise sync buyers via its Audio Wax joint venture with Universal Production Music.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Production Services

NAICS

Sound Recording Studios (51224), Record Production and Distribution (51225), Music Publishers (512230)

SIC

Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Audio Editing & Restoration (Cleanup, Noise Reduction) (MPAIAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Trailer Music & Promo Music Providers (MPAIALAH)

Keywords

• Music production services
• Recording studio
• Independent record label
• Production music licensing
• Songwriting and publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Studio Production Services: Recording, mixing and production services at WAX LTD Studios in Hollywood, serving both signed roster artists and external clients including major-label acts.
2. Record Label (WAX LTD Records): Revenue from artist recordings, master/label rights and digital distribution via iTunes/Apple Music and Spotify for label-signed roster.
3. Production Music Licensing (Audio Wax): Production music label launched in partnership with Universal Production Music/Killer Tracks, releasing 10 albums a year for Film, TV, Trailers and Brands — generating sync/licensing royalties.
4. Songwriting/Publishing: Co-writing and producing credits across releases (e.g., Elliphant 'Til The End', Zella Day 'High', Larkin Poe 'Trouble in Mind'), generating publishing income.
5. Limited Edition Vinyl Sales: Limited physical release runs (e.g., Blondfire Pleasure/Domino 7" 45 RPM, only 500 pressed), sold direct via Bandcamp.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels25 records

Core offering

WAX LTD operates an integrated music production company built around three offerings: (1) WAX LTD Studios, a recording facility at the former TTG studios in Hollywood combining modern digital and vintage analog gear; (2) WAX LTD Records, an in-house record label signing and developing artists such as Blondfire, WORLDS, and Born Rivals; and (3) Audio Wax, a joint-venture production music label with Universal Production Music (Killer Tracks/Universal Music) releasing 10 albums per year for Film, TV, Trailers and Brands.

Product overview

WAX LTD operates as an integrated music production company built around three interconnected offerings: WAX LTD Studios (the core recording facility), WAX LTD Records (the artist/label arm), and Audio Wax (the production music label). WAX LTD Studios, located at the former TTG studios in Hollywood, provides the recording infrastructure that powers both the label roster and Audio Wax releases. WAX LTD Records represents the artist-facing label work (current artists include Blondfire, WORLDS, Nona, Emerson Star, fakelife, Whissell, Micky Blue, Jukebox the Ghost, Modern Monet, and Born Rivals; past artists include Zella Day, Family of the Year, Redlight King, and Max and the Moon). Audio Wax is the third pillar, formed January 1, 2019 in partnership with Killer Tracks/Universal Music, producing library music for Film, TV, Trailers, and Brands at a planned cadence of 10 albums per year. The founders, multi-platinum producers/songwriters Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry, oversee all three arms together.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WAX LTD Records: In-house record label whose roster has included Zella Day, Family the Year, Redlight King, Max and the Moon, Blondfire, WORLDS, Nona, Emerson Star, fakelife, Whissel, Micky Blue, Jukebox the Ghost, Modern Monet, and Born Rivals.
• WAX LTD Studios
• Audio Wax (AUDIO WAX)

Products and services

• WAX LTD Studios
• WAX LTD Records
• Audio Wax

Quantifiable outcome

• 2019 Hollywood Music in Media Awards — Best Production/Producer Award for 'Simplicity'
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers29 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, moderate and minor.

• Warner RecordscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 November 2019WAX LTD (via Xandy Barry) has produced, recorded and co-written multiple releases for Creeper on Warner Records, including 'Born Cold' (Nov 2019), 'Annabelle' (Jan 2020) and 'Cyanide' (Feb 2020).
• Nettwerk RecordscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 October 2019WAX LTD (via Wally Gagel) has produced, mixed and recorded multiple releases for Nettwerk Records artists, including Jon Bryant's 'Headphones' (Oct 2019) and 'Bad Happens' (Feb 2020), and Jim and Sam's 'Saturday Night'. Nettwerk serves as the distributor/label partner.
• Riptide Music GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 April 2019WAX LTD partnered with Riptide Music Group to debut a new live showcase series held at the WAX LTD Hollywood Studio. The inaugural event featured live acoustic performances from Born Rivals, WORLDS, and Modern Monet, with future showcases planned.
• Universal Production Music / Killer TracksflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019On January 1, 2019 WAX LTD founders Wally Gagel and Xandy Barry formed a joint partnership with Universal Production Music to create the Audio Wax label, focusing on music for Film, TV, Trailers and Brands. They plan to release 10 albums a year involving many of the artists the founders have worked with in the studio. Audio Wax was successfully launched at the NAB 2019 Convention in Las Vegas.
• Harvest/Capitol RecordscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWAX LTD (Wally Gagel) recorded, mixed and produced Best Coast's 'California Nights' LP (released May 2015 on Harvest/Capitol Records), which was subsequently named SPIN's 50 Best Albums of 2015.
• Sony ClassicalmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSony Classical released the soundtrack to National Geographic's 'Valley of the Boom' which featured Blondfire's cover of 'Natural One' (a WAX LTD-produced recording).
• Wells Fargo & Tournament of RosesmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerModern Monet (WAX LTD Records artist) partnered with Wells Fargo and the Tournament of Roses (Wells Fargo's 14-year collaboration) for the 'Melody of Life' Tournament theme, including a digital content series, pop-up concerts and various events.
• Billboard MagazinemoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerBillboard premiered Jukebox the Ghost's 'Stay the Night' single (produced at WAX LTD), supporting label release campaigns with earned media coverage.
• BuzzBands LAmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerBuzzBands LA has hosted multiple premieres of WAX LTD roster artists including Blondfire 'Here and Now', Blondfire 'True Confessions', Emerson Star 'Wasted', and Emerson Star 'Pistol Grip', plus year-end countdown features.
• KCRWmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerKCRW premiered Blondfire's 'Pleasure' music video and featured Meiko's 'Back in the Game' as 'Today's Top Tune'.
• SXSW (International Songwriter's Camp)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerWally Gagel attended the premiere of SXSW's International Songwriter's Camp, joining a roster of songwriters including Sigala, FREEDO, ELOQ, BHam, Soaky Siren, Sophie Rose, Chiara Hunter, Matt Hartke, Nico Rebscher, Kipp Williams, Kucka, Hank Solo, R.LUM.R, and Kelvin Jones.
• Alt 98.7 Radio (iHeart)moderateGTM or Marketing PartnerBlondfire selected as Artist in Residence at Alt 98.7 Los Angeles for the month of February 2016; WORLDS chosen for ALT987 February Artist in Residence (Close to Home radio show).
• Tobi's Sonic RetreatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBorn Rivals (WAX LTD artist) performed a stripped-down set at Tobi Lynn's exclusive live music series, Tobi's Sonic Retreat.
• Interview MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInterview Magazine hosted the exclusive video premiere of Escondido's 'Try' (produced and mixed by Wally Gagel at WAX LTD).
• Pop CrushminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPop Crush premiered Micky Blue's 'Good Love' single.
• IdolatorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIdolator premiered Blondfire's 'True Confessions' music video.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BMG: BMG is one of the largest independent music publishers and recorded music companies globally. It is comparable to WAX LTD as an indie alternative to the major labels, with overlapping activities in recording, publishing, and sync licensing — including production music for film/TV via its BMG Production Music arm.
• Concord Music Group: Concord is an independent music company operating across recorded music, publishing, and theatrical performance rights. It is comparable to WAX LTD as an independent music business but at much greater scale and broader scope, encompassing label, publishing, and rights administration activities that overlap with all three of WAX LTD's revenue streams.
• Kobalt Music Group: Kobalt is a music publishing and rights administration platform serving songwriters, labels, and producers. It is comparable to WAX LTD on the publishing and rights administration side (where WAX LTD earns songwriting/publishing income) but at greater scale, with technology-driven royalty tracking that WAX LTD cannot match independently.

Direct peers

• APM Music: APM Music is a long-established production music library supplying music for film, TV, advertising, and trailers. It is the most direct competitor to WAX LTD's Audio Wax label in the production music/sync licensing space, serving the same music supervisor and trailer music buyer segments.
• Artlist: Artlist is a subscription-based production music and stock media platform serving video creators, brands, and agencies. It competes with Audio Wax for the same indie filmmaker, brand, and digital content creator buyer segments via a royalty-clear, subscription-driven model.
• Position Music: Position Music is an independent production music and trailer music publisher with an extensive sync catalog. It is a direct Audio Wax competitor specifically in the trailer and promo music segment, where WAX LTD has placed a notable share of its Audio Wax output.
• Epidemic Sound: Epidemic Sound is a subscription production music platform used by YouTubers, brands, and content creators. Like Artlist, it represents the subscription-driven competitive pressure on traditional library music revenue models that Audio Wax operates within via Universal Production Music.
• The Music Bed: The Music Bed is a curated production music platform licensing original music to filmmakers, brands, and content creators. It competes directly with Audio Wax in the sync market for Film, TV, Trailers, and Brands — the exact buyer segments WAX LTD targets via its Universal Production Music partnership.
• Sunset Sound: Sunset Sound is another legendary Hollywood recording studio with deep heritage and vintage gear collections. It competes directly with WAX LTD Studios for major-label production bookings and represents an alternative boutique-studio choice in the same Hollywood ecosystem.
• EastWest Studios: EastWest Studios is a heritage boutique recording facility in Hollywood serving major-label artists and film/TV score work. It is a direct peer to WAX LTD Studios on the recording studio side, competing for premium production bookings from major-label clients in the same Hollywood market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WAXLTD
• Facebookfacebook.com/waxltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/waxltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wax-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 WAX