Ray Staff feature - Alchemy Mastering Studios

PLEASE NOTE: Ray Staff is now based at Air Studios and runs Air Mastering.

View Ray's pictures at Air Studios in 2009 in this gallery.

Ray Staff is one of the most experienced international disk and CD Mastering Engineers. With hit after hit spanning all genres of music, his technical skill and creative ability allow him to achieve the optimum result for each release format. In a shoot out, Ray will generally be successful against the best from other mastering facilities.

Joining the legendary Trident Studios (Soho, London) in 1970 Ray became part of the fledgling Mastering Department. From the outset he was contributing to iconic projects: David Bowie Aladdin Sane and Ziggy Stardust and Elton John Madman Across the Water, Ray's skill saw him progress to become Trident's first Chief Mastering Engineer. Ray worked closely with leading record producer Ken Scott.

For Monty Python Ray created the world's first three-sided album by cutting two spirals on one side of the disc, creating the "hidden" third side. This was topped later with a Johnny Moped album for Ace Records, where the first track on the A side was double cut, the two spirals then joined together to play the remaining side of the album.

Whilst Senior Mastering Engineer at Sony's UK Studios Ray's interest in developing new technology saw him become part of the international team developing Sony's proprietary archiving system.

Other classics Mastered by Ray include Led Zeppelin Physical Graffiti & Presence, Supertramp Crime Of The Century and The Rolling Stones It's Only Rock 'N Roll. Contemporary projects include the No 1 debut album and single by Corinne Bailey Rae and the latest Album by The Beautiful South.

Ray is regularly featured in Hi-Fi publications for his work on audiophile vinyl releases, where his skills receive universal praise. He is also much sought after by labels from the demanding worlds of Jazz, World music, Classical and Crossover. Ray is also building an impressive reputation for surround mastering with Gary Moore, Deep Purple, Band De Luc, UB40 and Alice Cooper released during the past few months.