Tony Maserati is an American record producer and audio engineer specializing in mixing. He was involved in the development of the New York R&B and hip-hop scene in the 1990s, working with Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., Puff Daddy, and Queen Latifah.[1] Since then he has worked on Grammy nominated projects with The Black Eyed Peas, Beyoncé (who he won Best R&B Album with on her 2003 Dangerously in Love), Jason Mraz, Robin Thicke, and Usher. Maserati won a Latin Grammy in 2006 for his work on Sérgio Mendes’s Timeless. He has been nominated for a total of 10 Grammys, with four for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.[2]
Tony Maserati | |
|---|---|
 Skalpovich in Studio with Tony Maserati (pictured left) | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Mixing engineer |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Website | http://tonymaserati.com |
Early life
editMaserati began college at Northeastern University before transferring to Boston’s Berklee College of Music in the early 1980s.[3] He originally majored in Composition, but switched to the Music Production and Engineering major when it was first offered in 1983.[4] While at Berklee, he learned to mix by doing the sound for the Marsells.[3] He graduated with an MA in 1986.[5]
Career
editNew York hip hop and R&B
editMaserati went to work in New York City at Sigma Sound Studios where he assisted Glenn Rosenstein. Rosenstein introduced him to Full Force, who helped Maserati learn to arrange and mix.[6] While at Sigma Sound he worked with Whitney Houston and James Brown,[7] and was able to mix his first song, Samantha Fox's "Naughty Girls (Need Love Too)". He credits much of the musical sound he developed on his work at Berklee and the influence of Full Force.[6]
In 1989, Maserati went independent, specializing in mixing, setting him apart at the time since most musical engineers focused on production.[8] During his time at Sigma Sound, Maserati had befriended studio managers around the city, and he contacted them requesting work on R&B and Hip-Hop.[1] While most mixers worked on rock, Maserati claims he focused on R&B and Hip-Hop because it “was the only place where innovation was happening.”[6]
Maserati was introduced to Puff Daddy in the early 1990s through the producer Devante Swing. Puff Daddy brought Maserati into Bad Boy Records and, Maserati claims, Puff Daddy "locked me down" for the following six years.[6] As a result, Maserati worked with every major New York R&B and hip-hop artist of the 1990s, including mixing albums for Busta Rhymes, Mary J. Blige, The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, and Queen Latifah.[6] Maserati regards these years as very collaborative, and he allowed the various artists to work with his analogue equipment to help develop their desired sound.[6] According to Mix magazine, Maserati provided the definitive sound of New York hip-hop in the form of heavy bass lines while also providing high fidelity sounds on the other end of the scale.[9] According to Sound on Sound, the result was a "huge low end and a smooth, velvety high,"[7] and which Mix labelled an "outhouse on the bottom, penthouse on the top".[9]
The success of the New York R&B and hip-hop sound propelled Maserati into a widely known and well-established mixer.[1] He received his first four Grammy nominations in 2003, with two nominations for being a part of "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z and "Where is the Love" by the Black Eyed Peas featuring Justin Timberlake, both of which were up for Record of the Year. He was also nominated for his own work in the Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for the Black Eyed Peas' Elephunk.[4] He won Best R&B Album that year on Beyoncé's Dangerously in Love. The following year he was nominated again for Album of the Year on Usher's Confessions.[2]
Throughout this period, Maserati worked mostly with analogue consoles rather than digital tools.[5] This required enormous amounts of space and specialized equipment. To fit it all in, Maserati built his own studio, Una Volta, in a barn in upstate New York.[10] In 2008, he began working with his long-time collaborator Jason Mraz on the album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things, for which Maserati was nominated for a Grammy in Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.[11]
Los Angeles
editWhile his upstate barn provided the needed space for his equipment, Maserati disliked being so far from the city and the intimate collaborations of the studios.[5] Around the same time, the music scene was decamping from New York to the West Coast.[10] In 2010, Maserati moved to Los Angeles where he was able to get large amounts of space while still being within the city.[5] However, he left most of his bulky analogue equipment in New York, which pushed him to adopt more of the digital equipment for mixing and automation.[10]
In 2011, Maserati and songwriter Stefan Skarbek co-founded Mirrorball Entertainment, LLC in North Hollywood. Maserati worked with studio designer and acoustician Martin Pilchner to create modular studios in which each room could be redesigned to meet the specific needs of the production team renting the space.[12] Maserati and Skarbek offered their production services in the space, allowing whole albums to be produced, published, and recorded on site.[8] The integrated approach had Maserati directly mixing major tracks and overseeing the remaining tracks mixed by his assistants and mentees.[5] Maserati is a client with Pulse Recording.[13]
Grammy Awards
editWinner
2003 Best Contemporary R&B Album: Beyoncé Dangerously in Love
Nominee
2003 Record of the Year: The Black Eyed Peas “Where is the Love”
2003 Record of the Year: Beyoncé “Crazy in Love”
2003 Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: The Black Eyed Peas, Elephunk
2004 Album of the Year: Usher Confessions
2008 Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: Jason Mraz We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things
2012 Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: Jason Mraz Love is a Four Letter Word
2013 Record of the Year: Robin Thicke “Blurred Lines”
2014 Album of the Year: Beyoncé Beyoncé
2016 Album of the Year: Beyoncé Lemonade
2017 Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: K. Flay Every Where is Some Where[2]
Selected discography
edit| Artist | Song Title | Album | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | |||
| Casper | Alles war schön und nichts tat weh | Mixing | |
| Falling In Reverse | I'm Not a Vampire (Revamped) | Mixing | |
| 2020 | |||
| Mike Posner | Operation: Wake Up | Mixing | |
| 2018 | |||
| TWICE | What is Love? | What is Love? | Mixing |
| BØRNS | Blue Madonna | Mixing | |
| 2017 | |||
| TWICE | Signal | Signal | Mixing |
| 2 Chainz | Bailan feat. Pharrell | Pretty Girls like Trap Music | Mixing |
| BØRNS | Sweet Dreams | Mixing | |
| BØRNS | Faded Love | Mixing | |
| Calum Scott | Dancing on my Own (Tiesto Remix) | Mixing | |
| Chase Atlantic | Chase Atlantic | Mixing | |
| Echosmith | Dear World | ||
| Ed Sheeran & Beyonce | Perfect | Mixing | |
| Fergie | Double Dutchess | Mixing | |
| Jaira Burns | Ugly | Mixing | |
| James Blunt | The Afterlove | Mixing | |
| K. Flay | Everywhere is Somewhere | Mixing | |
| Leon Else | What I won’t Do | Mixing | |
| Maggie Rogers | Dog Years | ||
| Mansionz | Wicked feat. G-Eazy | Mansionz | Mixing |
| Nick Jonas | Home | Ferdinand Soundtrack | Mixing |
| Nick Jonas | Find You | Mixing | |
| Selena Gomez | Only You | 13 Reasons Why Soundtrack | Mixing |
| Sia | To be Human | Wonder Woman Soundtrack | Mixing |
| Sofia Reyes feat. Prince Royce | Sólo Yo | ||
| Tinashe | Flame | Mixing | |
| Weezer | Feels like Summer | Mixing | |
| 2016 | |||
| Andra Day | Amen | Mixing | |
| Cerrone | Red Lips | Mixing | |
| Clairy Brown | Pool | Mixing | |
| Demi Lovato | Body Say | Mixing | |
| Fergie | M.I.L.F.$ | Mixing | |
| Fitz & the Tantrums | Fitz & the Tantrums | Mixing | |
| Gallant | Ology | Mixing | |
| Gwen Stefani | This Is What the Truth Feels Like | Mixing | |
| Keith Urban | Ripcord | Mixing | |
| Lawson | Perspective | Mixing | |
| Mike Posner | At Night, Alone | Mixing | |
| Nick Jonas | Last Year was Complicated | Mixing | |
| Parachute | Wide Awake | Mixing | |
| Santigold | 99 Cents | Mixing | |
| Sawyer Fredericks | A Good Storm | Mixing | |
| Shawn Mendes | Illuminate | Mixing | |
| 2015 | |||
| Andra Day | Cheers to the Fall | Mixing | |
| Conrad Sewell | All I Know | Mixing | |
| Fleur East | Love, Sax & Flashbacks | Mixing | |
| Katherine McPhee | Hysteria | Mixing | |
| Nico & Vinz | Cornerstone | Mixing | |
| Robert DeLong | In the Cards | Mixing | |
| Sabrina Carpenter | Eyes Wide Open | Mixing | |
| Selena Gomez | Revival | Mixing | |
| Selena Gomez | Good for You feat. A$AP Rocky | Revival | |
| Shawn Mendes | Handwritten | Mixing | |
| 2014 | |||
| Aretha Franklin | Sings the Greats Diva Classics | Mixing | |
| Cimorelli | Renegade | Mixing | |
| Cris Cab | Where I Belong | Mixing | |
| Jason Mraz | Yes! | Mixing | |
| Jesse McCartney | In Technicolor | Mixing | |
| Jessie J | Sweet Talker | Mixing | |
| Lea Michele | Louder | Mixing | |
| Madeleine Peyroux | Keep me in Your Heart for a While: The Best of Madeleine Peyroux | Mixing | |
| Nick Jonas | Nick Jonas | Mixing | |
| Nico & Vinz | Black Star Elephant | Mixing | |
| Santana | Corazon | Mixing | |
| 2013 | |||
| Ariana Grande | Yours Truly | Mixing | |
| Avril Lavigne | Avril Lavigne | Mixing | |
| Backstreet Boys | In a World Like This | Mixing | |
| Beyonce | Beyonce | Mixing | |
| Cher | Closer to the Truth | Mixing | |
| Daughtry | Baptized | Mixing | |
| Eliza Doolittle | In your Hands | Mixing | |
| James Blunt | Moon Landing | Mixing | |
| Keith Urban | Fuse | Mixing | |
| Lady Gaga | ARTPOP | Mixing | |
| Little Mix | Salute | Mixing | |
| Natalia Kills | Trouble | Mixing | |
| Robin Thicke | Blurred Lines | Mixing | |
| The Wanted | Word of Mouth | Mixing | |
| 2012 | |||
| Alicia Keys | Girl on Fire | Mixing | |
| Jason Mraz | Love is a Four Letter Word | Mixing | |
| 2011 | |||
| Andy Grammer | Andy Grammer | Mixing | |
| Girls’ Generation | The Boys | Mixing | |
| Jason Derulo | Future History | Mixing | |
| Javier Colon | Come through for You | Mixing | |
| Madeleine Peyroux | Standing on the Rooftop | Mixing | |
| Robbie Robertson | How to Become Clairvoyant | Mixing | |
| Robin Thicke | Love after War | Mixing | |
| 2009 | |||
| Alicia Keys | The Element of Freedom | Mixing | |
| Chris Brown | Graffiti | Mixing | |
| Colbie Caillat | Breakthrough | Mixing | |
| Pixie Lott | Turn it Up | Mixing | |
| Whitney Houston | I Look to You | Mixing | |
| 2008 | |||
| Britney Spears | Circus | Mixing | |
| Craig David | Officially Yours | Mixing | |
| Jason Mraz | We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. | Mixing | |
| Jordan Sparks | No Air | Mixing | |
| Kerli | Love is Dead | Mixing | |
| The Pussycat Dolls | Doll Domination | Mixing | |
| 2007 | |||
| David Bowie | Outside/Heathen | Additional Production, Mixing, Production Remix, Programmer | |
| Kelly Rowland | Ms. Kelly | Mixing | |
| Macy Gray | Big | Mixing | |
| Talib Kweli | Eardrum | Mixing | |
| Will.i.am | Songs about Girls | Mixing | |
| 2006 | |||
| Fergie | Big Girls Don't Cry | The Dutchess | Mixing |
| Paris Hilton | Paris | Mixing | |
| Paris Hilton | Stars are Blind | Single | Mixing |
| Sergio Mendes | Timeless | Mixing | |
| 2005 | |||
| Mary J. Blige | The Breakthrough | Mixing | |
| Ol’ Dirty Bastard | The Definitive Ol’ Dirty Bastard Story | Mixing | |
| Rob Thomas | Something to Be | Mixing | |
| The Black Eyed Peas | Monkey Business | Mixing | |
| The Pussycat Dolls | PCD | Mixing | |
| 2004 | |||
| Bruce Hornsby | Halcyon Days | Mixing | |
| John Legend | Get Lifted | Mixing | |
| Kylie Minogue | Body Language | Mixing | |
| Usher | Confessions | Mixing | |
| 2003 | |||
| Beyoncé | Dangerously in Love | Mixing | |
| Jessica Simpson | In This Skin | Mixing | |
| Jessica Simpson | Sweetest Sin | Mixing | |
| Jonny Lang | Long Time Coming | Mixing | |
| Kelly Clarkson | Thankful | Mixing | |
| Mary J. Blige | Love & Life | Mixing | |
| R. Kelly | Chocolate Factory | Mixing | |
| The Black Eyed Peas | Elephunk | Mixing | |
| 2002 | |||
| Baha Men | Move it Like This | Mixing | |
| Christina Aguilera | Stripped | Mixing | |
| Kelly Rowland | Simply Deep | Mixing | |
| Marc Anthony | Mended | Mixing | |
| Mario | Mario | Mixing | |
| Queen Latifah | She’s a Queen: A Collection of Greatest Hits | Engineer | |
| Sean Paul | Dutty Rock | Mixing | |
| 2001 | |||
| Alicia Keys | Songs in A Minor | Mixing | |
| Angie Stone | Mahogany Soul | Mixing | |
| Brian McKnight | Superhero | Mixing | |
| Christina Milian | Christina Milian | Mixing | |
| Jennifer Lopez | J.Lo | Mixing | |
| Jessica Simpson | Irresistible | Mixing | |
| Mary J. Blige | No More Drama | Mixing | |
| 2000 | |||
| Lil’ Kim | Notorious K.I.M. | Engineer | |
| Mya | Fear of Flying | Mixing | |
| R. Kelly | TP-2.com | Mixing | |
| Ricky Martin | Sound Loaded | Mixing | |
| Ruff Ryders | Ryde or Die, Vol. 2 | Mixing | |
| 1999 | |||
| Angie Stone | Black Diamond | ||
| Jennifer Lopez | On the 6 | Mixing | |
| Jessica Simpson | Sweet Kisses | Mixing | |
| K-Ci & JoJo | It’s Real | Mixing | |
| Puff Daddy | Forever | Engineer | |
| Vitamin C | Vitamin C | Mixing | |
| 1998 | |||
| Faith Evans | Keep the Faith | Mixing | |
| R. Kelly | R. | Mixing | |
| 1997 | |||
| Busta Rhymes | When Disaster Strikes | Engineer, Mixing | |
| Mariah Carey | Butterfly | Mixing | |
| Mase | Harlem World | Mixing | |
| Notorious B.I.G. | Life After Death | Mixing | |
| Puff Daddy & the Family | No Way Out | Mixing | |
| 1995 | |||
| Faith Evans | Faith Evans | Engineer, Mixing | |
| 1994 | |||
| Mary J. Blige | My Life | Engineer, Mixing | |
| 1993 | |||
| David Bowie | Black Tie White Noise | Producer, Mixing | |
| Queen Latifah | Black Reign | Engineer | |
| 1992 | |||
| Mary J. Blige | What’s the 411? | Engineer, Mixing, Remixing | |
| 1990 | |||
| C+C Music Factory | Gonna Make You Sweat | Engineer | |
| 1989 | |||
| Patti LaBelle | Be Yourself | Engineer, Mixing | |
| 1988 | |||
| James Brown | I’m Real | Engineer, Editing, Mixing | |
| 1987 | |||
| Whitney Houston | Whitney | Assistant Engineer | |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Interview: Mixer - Tony Maserati". Speakhertz - Talk Audio. 2014-06-26. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
- ^ a b c "Tony Maserati". GRAMMY.com. 2017-11-28. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
- ^ a b Shea, Andrea (January 24, 2014). "Berklee Alum Behind Robin Thicke's Grammy Nominated 'Blurred Lines'". www.wbur.org. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
- ^ a b Hochschild, Rob (February 20, 2004). "News | Berklee College of Music". www.berklee.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-12-06. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
- ^ a b c d e Tingen, Paul (October 2013). "Tony Maserati: Inside Track".
- ^ a b c d e f "Red Bull Music Academy Daily". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. January 5, 2015. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
- ^ a b Tingen, Paul (March 2007). "Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Tony Maserati". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
- ^ a b "Tony Maserati - Mix with the Masters". Mix with the Masters (in French). 2014-03-06. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
- ^ a b Drowdy, Maureen (January 12, 2001). "Tony Maserati". Mixonline.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
- ^ a b c Jackson, Blair (October 10, 2009). "Tony Maserati". Mixonline. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
- ^ "Tony Maserati on Mixing with Jason Mraz". June 1, 2008.
- ^ Brown, Janice (May 2, 2013). "Tony Maserati & Bedrock.LA Teaming up to Build Modern Day Brill Building". Sonicscoop.
- ^ Staff. "Tony Maserati". Pulse Music Group. Retrieved 2018-03-12.