In this exclusive Industry Dive episode, I’m joined by Chris Gehringer — Senior Mastering Engineer and Partner at Sterling Sound — for a deep dive into modern music mastering and the never-ending conversation around loudness.

With decades behind the glass, Chris has mastered everything from Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Naughty By Nature’s self-titled debut to modern chart-toppers from Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Dua Lipa. Along the way, he’s earned more than 20 Grammy nominations and built a reputation as one of the most trusted ears in the business.

We talk about how mastering has evolved over the years — what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how today’s tools and expectations have reshaped the way records sound. We dig into the current state of the loudness wars, the real impact of brickwalling on dynamics, and whether the industry is finally starting to accept that louder doesn’t always mean better.

Chris also shares stories from inside Sterling Sound, including insights into the interludes he helped create for 36 Chambers, thoughts on the controversy surrounding Metallica’s Death Magnetic, and where immersive formats like Dolby Atmos — along with AI — fit into the future of mastering. Along the way, we even touch on perspectives from artists like Shinedown’s Eric Bass, who’s been vocal about his preference for more dynamic masters.

Whether you’re an industry professional, an audio nerd, or just someone who’s ever wondered why certain records feel the way they do, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the art, science, and philosophy behind the final step of making music sound finished.

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