Sterling Sound

Sterling Sound

Profile:
US-based mastering firm that has, to date, been responsible for the mastering of more than 28,000 vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes since 1968.
It was originally based in New York. However, in 2018, the company decided to split up into two different locations: one in Nashville, Tennessee, and the other in Edgewater, New Jersey. The former location opened sometime in 2018.

Also appears as:
- Sterling Sound Studios
- Sterling Sound Studios, NY
- Sterling Sound, NY
- Sterling Sound (NY)
- Sterling Sound, N.Y.C.
- Sterling Sound, NYC
- Sterling Sound, New York
- Sterling Sound, New York City
- Sterling Sound, New York, New York
- Sterling Sound New York
- Sterling Sounds
- Sterling Sounds, N.Y.C.
- Sterling Sounds (NY)
- Stirling Sound, New York
- Stirling Sound, New York, NY
- Stirling Studio New York
- Sterlingsound


Regarding vinyl runouts, "STERLING" may be found either stamped or hand etched. Also quite faint "Sterling Sound" etchings can be found.
The studio is also identified as "SS", sometimes quite small and the "SS"s' at Sterling Sound appear only at the end of 1969, followed by the first appearance of the small stamped "STERLING".
For the company, please consider using Sterling Sound Inc..

Sterling was founded by Lee Hulko & Joachim "Joe" Paschek in October 1968, with the studio at 56 W. 45th St. Manhattan.
In 1969, Bob Ludwig joins.
In 1970, the facility moves to larger premises, offering two mastering suites, in the Screen Actors Guild building at 110 West 57th Street.
In 1972, George Marino joins.
In 1975, Ludwig departs to join Masterdisk - being replaced by Greg Calbi (from Master Cutting Room) and Ted Jensen (from Mark Levinson's MLAC), the latter taking over much of Hulko's mastering, whose tasks had turned to technical & management duties.
In 1977, the company moves to 1790 Broadway, offering 5 suites with the latest state-of-the-art acoustics. José Rodriguez joins.
In 1980, the facility is updated to digital.
In 1985, Sterling Sounds starts DMM cutting (next to still cutting lacquers) in August.
In 1990, Paschek departs and sells his shares to Hulko.
In 1994, Calbi departs to join Masterdisk and is replaced by Tom Coyne (from Hit Factory Mastering).
In 1995, Joe Palmaccio joins (from Polygram Studios).
In 1998, Murat Aktar, of Absolute Audio, joins forces with Jensen, Calbi & Coyne to purchase the facility from Hulko - in partnership with Metropolis Studios; Palmaccio leaves.
In 1999, following Hulko's retirement, the Studio begins its move to the Chelsea district of Manhattan. Chris Gehringer joins (from Hit Factory) at the 1790 Broadway suite, along with Chris Athens in March. Calbi then moved to the Chelsea suite.
In January 2002, the move to Chelsea is completed followed by the closure of the Broadway facility.
In 2018, near the end of their 20-year lease with the Chelsea Market, Sterling Sound decides to split up into two different locations: one in Nashville, Tennessee (with two mastering studios) and the other in Edgewater, New Jersey (with six). The Nashville location opened 2018.

The following mastering engineers have worked at Sterling Sound (with their runout identification if applicable/known):
Chris Athens > STERLING CA
Greg Calbi > STERLING GC or STERLING ⚾ or Ⓗ or ☆STERLING
Greg Fulginiti > STERLING GF
José Rodriguez > STERLING JR
Jack Skinner > STERLING JS, or Jack
Lee Hulko > STERLING LH
Ray Janos > STERLING RJ
Ryan Smith (2) STERLING RKS
Bob Ludwig > STERLING RL
Tom Coyne > STERLING TC
Ted Jensen > STERLING TJ
Chris Gehringer > cg
George Marino (none)
Joe Nino-Hernes > STERLING JN-H
Will Quinnell (none)
UE Nastasi
Jay Franco
Steve Fallone
Joe LaPorta
Seth Foster
Kevin Reeves
Justin Shturtz
Joseph M. Palmaccio
Dave McNair
Randy Merrill
Aya Merrill
Idania Valencia
Leon Zervos
Richie Rivera

When an engineer's scribe is in combination with "DMM", please use Mastered At - Sterling Sound and Direct Metal Mastering By - the respective engineer.
Parent Label:
Contact Info:
Sterling Sound Edgewater
33 Hilliard Avenue
Edgewater, NJ 07020
USA

Sterling Sound Nashville
805 Meridian Street
Nashville, TN 37207
USA

Phone: (212) 604-9433
Email: [email protected]

Previous Addresses (Contact info now obsolete):
1968 to 1970: Sterling Sound Inc., 56 W. 45th St., New York, NY 10036 USA
1970 to 1977: Sterling Sound Inc., 110 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019 USA
1977 to 1999-2000: Sterling Sound, Inc.,1790 Broadway, New York, NY 10019 USA
1999-2000 to 2018: Sterling Sound, Inc., 88 10th Ave., 6th Floor, New York, NY 10011 USA
Sites:

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
- Elvin Jones Is "On The Mountain"(6xFile, MP3, WAV, Album) Rappcats - US 2021
00AP 3136~40 Bob Dylan - Biograph Bob Dylan Biograph(5xLP, Comp + Box) CBS/Sony 00AP 3136~40 Japan 1986 Sell This Version
00DP 401~3 Bob Dylan - Biograph Bob Dylan Biograph(3xCD + Box, Comp) CBS/Sony 00DP 401~3 Japan 1985 Sell This Version
0FMP-6006 The Rosenbergs - Department Store Girl The Rosenbergs Department Store Girl(CD, Album, Enh, Promo) Force MP, Force MP 0FMP-6006 US 2004 Sell This Version
001 Billy Frazier And Friends* - Billy Who? Billy Frazier And Friends* Billy Who? (Single) 001 US 1980 Sell This Version
001 Absynthe Minded - Absynthe Minded Absynthe Minded Absynthe Minded(CD, Album) Absynthe Minded Records 001 Belgium 2009 Sell This Version
001 Pere Ubu - The Modern Dance Pere Ubu The Modern Dance (Album) 001 US 1978 Sell This Version
001 Ronald Bengamin* - Living Again Ronald Bengamin* Living Again(12", Single, Promo, TP, W/Lbl) Tune Wizard 001 US 1980 Sell This Version
001 Dream Weaver - MythReal Dream Weaver MythReal(LP, Album, Num) Dream Weaver Recordings 001 Greece 2013 Sell This Version
01 Atributos* - Caerá Atributos* Caerá(CD, Album) Red Vida 01 Chile 2015 Sell This Version
001 Jay Madera - Curb Appeal Jay Madera Curb Appeal(File, WAV, Single) Not On Label (Jay Madera Self-Released) 001 US 2019
001 Ibo K Payne - Spiritu Ibo K Payne Spiritu(CD, Album) Kush Records 001 Ecuador 2013 Sell This Version
001 The Bridge (11) - National Bohemian The Bridge (11) National Bohemian(CD, Album) Woodberry Records 001 US 2011 Sell This Version
0001 Hill* - Slow Walking With You Hill* Slow Walking With You(7") Joy Records (5) 0001 US 1984 Sell This Version
001 The Galaxy Two Orchestra* - Gridlock The Galaxy Two Orchestra* Gridlock(12") RPI Records (3) 001 US Unknown Sell This Version
001 The Young Snakes - Bark Along With The Young Snakes The Young Snakes Bark Along With The Young Snakes(12", EP) Ambiguous Records 001 US 1982 Sell This Version
1A 006 20 0566 7 Doppelganger Communication Breakdown(7", Single) Manhattan Records 1A 006 20 0566 7 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 006-20 1597 7 Brother Beyond - How Many Times Brother Beyond How Many Times(7", Single) EMI, EMI 1A 006-20 1597 7 Europe 1987 Sell This Version
1A 062-63 774 The Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue The Rolling Stones Emotional Rescue (Album) 1A 062-63 774 Netherlands 1980 Sell This Version
1A 062-64328 Roger Taylor - Roger Taylor's Fun In Space Roger Taylor Roger Taylor's Fun In Space (Album) 1A 062-64328 Europe 1981 Sell This Version
1A 062-83134 Whitesnake - Come An' Get It Whitesnake Come An' Get It(LP, Album) Liberty, Sunburst 1A 062-83134 Netherlands 1981 Sell This Version
1A 062-86024 April Wine - Harder.....Faster April Wine Harder.....Faster (Album) 1A 062-86024 Netherlands 1979 Sell This Version
1A 062-86 131 The Fools - Sold Out The Fools Sold Out(LP, Album) EMI America 1A 062-86 131 Netherlands 1980 Sell This Version
1A 062-86296 April Wine - The Nature Of The Beast April Wine The Nature Of The Beast (Album) 1A 062-86296 Netherlands 1981 Sell This Version
1A 064-61 016 The Rolling Stones - Some Girls The Rolling Stones Some Girls(LP, Album, Die) Rolling Stones Records 1A 064-61 016 Europe 1978 Sell This Version
1A 064-64773 Queen - Hot Space Queen Hot Space(LP, Album) EMI, EMI 1A 064-64773 Europe 1982 Sell This Version
1A 064-86441 Diana Ross - Why Do Fools Fall In Love Diana Ross Why Do Fools Fall In Love (Album) 1A 064-86441 Europe 1981 Sell This Version
1A 006-1655327 Queen - Radio Ga Ga Queen Radio Ga Ga(7", Single) EMI 1A 006-1655327 Europe 1984 Sell This Version
1A 006 2004227 Little Steven - Vote That Mutha Out! Little Steven Vote That Mutha Out!(7", Single) EMI America 1A 006 2004227 Netherlands 1984 Sell This Version
1A 062-24 0408 1 Diana Ross - Eaten Alive Diana Ross Eaten Alive(LP, Album) Capitol Records 1A 062-24 0408 1 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 062-24 0612 1 Talking Heads - True Stories Talking Heads True Stories(LP, Album, Club, DMM) EMI, EMI 1A 062-24 0612 1 Germany 1986 Sell This Version
1A 062-24 0643 1 Grace Jones - Inside Story Grace Jones Inside Story (Album) 1A 062-24 0643 1 Europe 1986 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0185 1 Peter Wolf - Lights Out Peter Wolf Lights Out(LP, Album) EMI America, EMI America 1A 064-24 0185 1 Europe 1984 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0250 1 Ashford & Simpson - Solid Ashford & Simpson Solid(LP, Album) Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0250 1 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064 24 0309 1 Stanley Jordan - Magic Touch Stanley Jordan Magic Touch (Album) 1A 064 24 0309 1 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0312 1 King Kobra (4) - Ready To Strike King Kobra (4) Ready To Strike(LP, Album) Capitol Records, Capitol Records, Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0312 1 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0313 1 Kenny Burrell / Grover Washington, Jr. - Togethering Kenny Burrell / Grover Washington, Jr. Kenny Burrell / Grover Washington, Jr. - Togethering (Album) 1A 064-24 0313 1 Netherlands 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0321 1 Tania Maria - Made In New York Tania Maria Made In New York(LP, Album) Manhattan Records, Manhattan Records, EMI, EMI 1A 064-24 0321 1 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0338 1 Kim Carnes - Barking At Airplanes Kim Carnes Barking At Airplanes(LP, Album) EMI America, EMI America, EMI America 1A 064-24 0338 1 Netherlands 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0381 1 David Byrne - Music For The Knee Plays David Byrne Music For The Knee Plays(LP, Album) Zonophone, Zonophone 1A 064-24 0381 1 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0408 1 Diana Ross - Eaten Alive Diana Ross Eaten Alive(LP, Album, DMM) Capitol Records, Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0408 1 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0487 1 Meli'sa Morgan - Do Me Baby Meli'sa Morgan Do Me Baby(LP, Album) Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0487 1 Europe 1986 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0582-1 Bobby McFerrin - Spontaneous Inventions Bobby McFerrin Spontaneous Inventions(LP, Album) Blue Note, Blue Note 1A 064-24 0582-1 Europe 1986 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0595 1 Melba Moore - A Lot Of Love Melba Moore A Lot Of Love(LP, Album) Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0595 1 Netherlands 1986 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0648 1 WASP* - Inside The Electric Circus WASP* Inside The Electric Circus(LP, Album) Capitol Records, Capitol Records, Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0648 1 Europe 1986 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0658 John Lennon - Menlove Ave. John Lennon Menlove Ave.(LP, Album) Parlophone 1A 064-24 0658 Germany 1986 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0663 1 Tania Maria - The Lady From Brazil Tania Maria The Lady From Brazil(LP, Album) Manhattan Records, Manhattan Records 1A 064-24 0663 1 Europe 1986 Sell This Version
1A 064-24 0740 1 Lillo Thomas - Lillo Lillo Thomas Lillo(LP, Album, DMM) Capitol Records, Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0740 1 Europe 1987 Sell This Version
1A 064-400124 Michael Stanley Band - MSB Michael Stanley Band MSB(LP, Album) EMI America 1A 064-400124 Europe 1982 Sell This Version
1A 064-400130 Diana Ross - Silk Electric Diana Ross Silk Electric (Album) 1A 064-400130 Turkey 1982 Sell This Version
1A 064-400135 Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul - Men Without Women Little Steven And The Disciples Of Soul Men Without Women(LP, Album) EMI America 1A 064-400135 Europe 1982 Sell This Version
1A 154-62792/3 Queen - Live Killers Queen Live Killers(2xLP, Album, RE, Gat) EMI 1A 154-62792/3 Europe Unknown Sell This Version
1A 264 24 0381 4 David Byrne Music For The Knee Plays(Cass, Album) Regal Zonophone 1A 264 24 0381 4 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1A 064-2401921 Billy Squier - Signs Of Life Billy Squier Signs Of Life(LP, Album) Capitol Records 1A 064-2401921 Europe 1984 Sell This Version
1A 064-7122851 The B.B. & Q. Band* - Six Million Times The B.B. & Q. Band* Six Million Times (Album) 1A 064-7122851 Portugal 1983 Sell This Version
1A 064-7122871 High Fashion - Make Up Your Mind! High Fashion Make Up Your Mind!(LP, Album) Capitol Records, Capitol Records 1A 064-7122871 Europe 1983 Sell This Version
1A K062 20 0391 6 Jellybean* - Wotupski!?! Jellybean* Wotupski!?! (Album) 1A K062 20 0391 6 Europe 1984 Sell This Version
1 C 006-61 201 The Rolling Stones - Miss You The Rolling Stones Miss You(7", Single) Rolling Stones Records, EMI Electrola 1 C 006-61 201 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 006-61 846 Queen - Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls Queen Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls(7", Single) EMI, EMI Electrola, EMI, EMI Electrola 1C 006-61 846 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 006-86 479 Diana Ross - Mirror Mirror Diana Ross Mirror Mirror(7", Single) Capitol Records, EMI Electrola 1C 006-86 479 Germany 1981 Sell This Version
1 C 038-81 269 Grand Funk* - Phoenix Grand Funk* Phoenix (Album) 1 C 038-81 269 Germany 1980 Sell This Version
1C 006-20 0566 7 Doppelganger - Communication Breakdown Doppelganger Communication Breakdown(7", Single) Manhattan Records 1C 006-20 0566 7 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1C 006 20 0651 7 Life By Night - Phone To Phone Life By Night Phone To Phone(7", Single) Manhattan Records, EMI, Manhattan Records, Manhattan Records 1C 006 20 0651 7 Europe 1985 Sell This Version
1 C 062-81 269 Grand Funk* - Phoenix Grand Funk* Phoenix(LP, Album, Gat) Capitol Records 1 C 062-81 269 Germany 1972 Sell This Version
1C 062-81 469 Grand Funk* - We're An American Band Grand Funk* We're An American Band(LP, Album, Gat) Capitol Records 1C 062-81 469 Germany 1973 Sell This Version
1 C 062-81 539 The Band - Moondog Matinee The Band Moondog Matinee(LP, Album) Capitol Records, Capitol Records 1 C 062-81 539 Germany 1973 Sell This Version
1C 062-97 028 Tony Orlando & Dawn - Skybird Tony Orlando & Dawn Skybird(LP, Album) Arista 1C 062-97 028 Germany 1975 Sell This Version
1C 062-97 237 Patti Smith - Horses Patti Smith Horses(LP, Album) Arista, EMI Electrola 1C 062-97 237 Germany Unknown Sell This Version
1 C 062-97 279 Barry Manilow - Tryin' To Get The Feeling Barry Manilow Tryin' To Get The Feeling(LP, Album, RE) Arista 1 C 062-97 279 Germany 1975 Sell This Version
1C 062-98 177 Bay City Rollers - Dedication Bay City Rollers Dedication (Album) 1C 062-98 177 Germany 1976 Sell This Version
1C 062-98 283 Patti Smith Group - Radio Ethiopia Patti Smith Group Radio Ethiopia (Album) 1C 062-98 283 Germany 1976 Sell This Version
1C 062-98 485 Queen - A Day At The Races Queen A Day At The Races (Album) 1C 062-98 485 Germany 1976 Sell This Version
1C 064-60 075 Robert Gordon (2) With Link Wray - Robert Gordon With Link Wray Robert Gordon (2) With Link Wray Robert Gordon (2) With Link Wray - Robert Gordon With Link Wray(LP, Album) Private Stock 1C 064-60 075 Germany 1977 Sell This Version
1C 064-60 445 Lou Reed - Street Hassle Lou Reed Street Hassle(LP, Album) Arista, EMI Electrola 1C 064-60 445 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-60 560 Robert Gordon (2) W/ Link Wray - Fresh Fish Special Robert Gordon (2) W/ Link Wray Robert Gordon (2) W/ Link Wray - Fresh Fish Special (Album) 1C 064-60 560 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-60 561 Patti Smith Group - Easter Patti Smith Group Easter(LP, Album) Arista, EMI Electrola 1C 064-60 561 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-60 599 Dickey Betts & Great Southern - Atlanta's Burning Down Dickey Betts & Great Southern Atlanta's Burning Down(LP, Album) Arista, EMI Electrola 1C 064-60 599 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-61 016 The Rolling Stones - Some Girls The Rolling Stones Some Girls (Album) 1C 064-61 016 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-61 300 Commander Cody - Flying Dreams Commander Cody Flying Dreams(LP, Album) Arista 1C 064-61 300 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-61 820 Queen - Jazz Queen Jazz (Album) 1C 064-61 820 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-61 859 Outlaws - Playin' To Win Outlaws Playin' To Win (Album) 1C 064-61 859 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-62 528 Tycoon (3) - Tycoon Tycoon (3) Tycoon(LP, Album) Arista, EMI Electrola 1C 064-62 528 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 064-62 630 Lou Reed - The Bells Lou Reed The Bells(LP, Album) Arista, EMI Electrola 1C 064-62 630 Germany 1979 Sell This Version
1C 064-62 656 Ohio Players - Everybody Up Ohio Players Everybody Up(LP, Album) Arista, EMI Electrola, Arista, EMI Electrola 1C 064-62 656 Germany 1979 Sell This Version
1C 064-62 787 Robert Fleischman - Perfect Stranger Robert Fleischman Perfect Stranger(LP, Album) Arista 1C 064-62 787 Germany 1979 Sell This Version
1C 064-63 136 The Rollers - Elevator The Rollers Elevator(LP, Album) Arista, EMI Electrola 1C 064-63 136 Germany 1979 Sell This Version
1C 064-63 774 The Rolling Stones - Emotional Rescue The Rolling Stones Emotional Rescue (Album) 1C 064-63 774 Germany 1980 Sell This Version
1C 064-64 328 Roger Taylor - Roger Taylor's Fun In Space Roger Taylor Roger Taylor's Fun In Space(LP, Album) EMI, EMI, EMI 1C 064-64 328 Germany 1981 Sell This Version
1C 064-85 659 April Wine - First Glance April Wine First Glance(LP, Album) Capitol Records 1C 064-85 659 Germany 1979 Sell This Version
1 C 064-85 760 Terry Reid - Rogue Waves Terry Reid Rogue Waves(LP, Album) Capitol Records, EMI Electrola 1 C 064-85 760 Germany 1979 Sell This Version
1C 064-85 843 Teaze - One Night Stands Teaze One Night Stands(LP, Album) Capitol Records, Aquarius Records (3) 1C 064-85 843 Germany 1979 Sell This Version
1C 064-86 024 April Wine - Harder.....Faster April Wine Harder.....Faster (Album) 1C 064-86 024 Germany 1979 Sell This Version
1C 064-86 110 The Fools - Sold Out The Fools Sold Out(LP, Album) EMI America, EMI Electrola 1C 064-86 110 Germany 1980 Sell This Version
1C 064-86 131 The Fools - Sold Out The Fools Sold Out(LP, Album) EMI America, EMI Electrola 1C 064-86 131 Germany 1980 Sell This Version
1C 064-86 296 April Wine - The Nature Of The Beast April Wine The Nature Of The Beast (Album) 1C 064-86 296 Germany 1981 Sell This Version
1C 064-98 283 Patti Smith Group - Radio Ethiopia Patti Smith Group Radio Ethiopia (Album) 1C 064-98 283 Germany 1977 Sell This Version
1C 064-98 485 Queen - A Day At The Races Queen A Day At The Races (Album) 1C 064-98 485 Germany 1977 Sell This Version
1C 064-99 050 Blondie - Blondie Blondie Blondie(LP, Album) Private Stock, EMI Electrola 1C 064-99 050 Germany 1977 Sell This Version
1C 264-60561 Patti Smith Group - Easter Patti Smith Group Easter(Cass, Album) Arista 1C 264-60561 Germany 1978 Sell This Version
1C 264-99 310 Brownsville Station - Brownsville Station Brownsville Station Brownsville Station(Cass, Album) EMI, Private Stock 1C 264-99 310 Germany 1977 Sell This Version

Reviews

Add Review

bobisponge

bobisponge

April 4, 2021
edited over 2 years ago
"Mastered @ Sterling Sound": A guarantee for clipped and brickwall-compressed sounding vinyl records. All of their newer records are cut from flat CD-masters, with likely no exception.
"Sterling - We don't care for dynamic vinyl mastering!"
WineOfTheVeins

WineOfTheVeins

July 1, 2019
edited over 4 years ago
Fantastic job on Lady Gaga - Joanne
Keep it up. We need more albums that sound like this. Be gone, loudness war.
Marten020

Marten020

November 5, 2015
I just listened to Momentum by Joshua Redman.. And checked out the mastering.. Sterling.. You guys are AWESOME