Name Chris Gehringer
Company Sterling Sound
Role Title Senior Engineer
Headquarters 88 Tenth Ave, New York, NY
Website www.sterling-sound.com
How did you get started in the music business.
When I was was in high school I wanted to be a rockstar (didn't happen)
I went to college to be a cinematographer (same story) Soon after I decided that music was my calling I attended the institute of audio research in NYC in 1982 and have been working in music ever since. My journey went from live sound to recording then to mastering where I found my true passion
How did you come to be at Sterling Sound?
I worked with Tom Coyne at Frankford/Wayne in 1985 for 3 years then the Hit Factory with him for 6 He asked me to join Sterling Sound in 2000 and I've been there for the last 14 years
Name three people whom have been critical to your career?
Tom Coyne ,Herb Powers Jr. And the late Dominic Romeo these three inspired me to be who I am today and taught me what I know I owe my career to them. Each one of them have me a different gift that added to my success.
Tell me about the last year you’ve had personally and professionally?
Personally my kids are my life and mean more to me than anything. They come first, period. There is no award, record or project that means more than my
3 children. I live for them
Professionally every artist that I work with I treat equally, Whether they are famous or unknown.
I want every project to have its own sound and be special in its own way.
What challenges have you faced this past year?
I never feel that I have any challenges I love what I do so working is a dream come true
How do you celebrate?
I'm a foodie, so if I want to celebrate its with a great meal with family and friends.
Which artists inspire you on a visual / creative level?
Any artist that believes sound is as important part of the music and production inspires me in all genres
For me the sound of a record is where the emotion is developed.
In what ways can people be more socially responsible for the health of our music industry community?
File sharing and the level war BS. Loud records mean nothing
If you could provoke change in any area of the music business, what would it be?
Level wars. Dynamics and tone mean more to me than level but very few understand that aspect or are willing to stand behind this view.
It's sad
Tell me about something you learned the hard way?
I'm the mastering engineer, Not the artist. They are always right.
What is art to you?
Art is a form of expression and emotion in many forms If you can draw either out of a person you have succeeded In my work if I can make you FEEL the music more or give you goosebumps then I have done my job.
*Photograph by Richard Warren