Allen Zentz was born December 17, 1940 and was raised in suburban Chicago. In 1974, he moved to Southern California to try his luck in the recording industry as a mastering engineer. He established a mastering suite at 1020 N. Sycamore Ave. in Hollywood, and he added a recording studio to it around late 1977. His first client in the studio was Michael Jackson, who recorded most of Off The Wall (except horns & strings) there with Quincy Jones.

Zentz attained great prominence and earned many platinum and gold records. He retired to Albuquerque in 1992, seeking relief from the fast pace of California. On May 14, 2003, Zentz died of complications after surgery.