Mastering is the art of finalizing a song for playback on all formats, from thousand-dollar sound systems to smartphone earbuds. There is a skill to the process that many consumers don’t think about, unless they hear a track that has been mastered poorly. Robert “Bob” Ludwig is considered a genius in the field of mastering, which is reflected in the multitude of top artists he’s worked with over the years. Here, Alison's Record Shop, the trusted purveyor of vinyl records in Nashville, TN, offers a brief history of one the music industry’s most accomplished mastering engineers.

A Bright Beginning

Ludwig’s love of music started at eight years old. He received his first tape recorder, which he used to record songs from the radio. Ludwig went on to become an accomplished classical musician, obtaining both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music in New York. His ear for music only served to hone his mastering ability, and soon after graduation he accepted a position with A&R Recording, the iconic studio responsible for producing works by Madonna, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Elton John.

Best Ears in the Business

Ludwig also worked with a wide range of acclaimed artists, spanning from the days of vinyl records all the way up to the modern era with its emphasis on music streaming services. The list of icons is seemingly endless; throughout the course of his career, Ludwig mastered recordings for artists and bands including Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Mariah Carey, and Metallica. He’s also been the recipient of many rewards, including multiple Grammys and Technical Excellence & Creativity awards.

What makes Ludwig so impressive is his ability to accommodate new platforms in his mastering prowess. Weaned on vinyl records, Ludwig has fully embraced the modern age, thanks to his inherent ability to draw the best out of a recording. This ability has earned him the respect of a new generation of artists, such as singer/songwriter Frank Ocean, for whom he mastered the artist’s breakout album Blonde.

With a love of music equaling that of Robert Ludwig, Alison's Record Shop has established a reputation for excellence among Nashville’s most discerning audiophiles. Featuring an extensive vinyl record collection, this store offers both vintage albums and new releases. They also offer other types of musical equipment, such as turntables. Stop by to check out their selection or to sell vinyl records. Call (615) 356-0180 or visit them online for more information about their record store.