Photo: Peter Luehr
Legendary mastering engineer Bob Ludwig has recently announced his retirement, along with the closure of Gateway Mastering Studios, the facility he founded in 1992.
He made the announcement on 2 July 2023, saying: “I won’t be taking on new mastering work as of June 30. It will be a few months to make sure we are completing this 30-year journey at Gateway Mastering the best way we know how. Our company goal has always been to support musicians, music producers, engineers, and our own talented staff.”
Bob began his career at A&R Recording in New York, where he worked with producer Phil Ramone on sessions with acts such as Neil Diamond, The Band, Burt Bacharach and more. During his time there, he was introduced to mastering under the guidance of Jay Messina. From A&R, he went on to become the first employee of Sterling Sound, remaining there for seven years and becoming the company’s vice president. He then moved to Masterdisk, taking on the role of vice president and chief engineer before leaving to start Gateway Mastering Studios.
Over the course of his career, Bob has built up a substantial list of credits, mastering albums for iconic acts such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Queen, The Police, Paul McCartney, Genesis, Guns N’ Roses, The Eagles, Mark Knopfler, U2, Led Zeppelin and many more. In addition to numerous Platinum and Gold-selling records, he has been awarded with an incredible 13 Grammy Awards.
Adam Ayan, who has worked in his own studio at Gateway since 1998, has announced that he will be continuing to offer mastering services under the name of Ayan Mastering, whilst another two of the studio’s employees — Brian Lee and Bob Jackson — are also opening their own mastering facility, Waygate Mastering.
“I’m privileged to have spent 25 years at Gateway Mastering Studios, and I’m ready to transition forward under the new name and business, Ayan Mastering. I will be offering the same great mastering services that I have through my years at Gateway. I look forward to carrying on the legacy and high sonic standards of Gateway Mastering Studios and my mentor Bob Ludwig.” - Adam Ayan
“We have had the extreme pleasure of working [at Gateway] for many decades and cannot begin to thank Bob and Gail enough for all they have done for us. With the studio closing we have decided to put our decades of experience together and open our own studio, Waygate Mastering.” - Brian Lee and Bob Jackson
