Michael Romanowski is a Four time Grammy winning mastering engineer. Based in Berkeley CA, he is the owner and chief mastering engineer of Coast Mastering, and co-founder of the analog tape label The Tape Project. Michael is a current Trustee of the The Recording Academy San Francisco Chapter (NARAS), Co-Chair of the National Awards and Nominations committee, Co-Chair of the P&E Immersive Committee, former chair of the Planning and Governance Committee and The National Presidents council, and serves on the National Advisory Council to the Producers & Engineers Wing. Where quality, credits, Hi resolution audio, Immersive audio and hearing education initiatives have been a particular focus.
Since 1994, Michael has worked to support the tradition of the diverse San Francisco bay area sound, and has become a national expert in the art and science of mastering (Mix Magazine, Electronic Musician, AES, NAMM, SXSW, Tape Op, Potluck Con, AES Mexico, AES Europe). Michael started his audio career as a musician and live sound engineer in Nashville, where he quickly progressed to recording and mixing pop, rock and alternative acts. In 1994, he relocated to the Bay Area to apprentice at Rocket Lab with Paul Stubblebine learning the art and craft of the mastering engineer. In 1999, he became the chief mastering engineer for Sausalito’s Plant Mastering, in 2001 he reunited with Paul Stubblebine and built two new mastering rooms at the former location of Coast Records. In 2007, Michael acquired the business and continued to expand the facility, with the re-launch of Coast Recorders in addition to the Mastering rooms. In 2015, Coast Recorders closed its doors, and the mastering business rebranded and expanded as Coast Mastering in the historic Studio C in the Fantasy Studio Complex in Berkeley CA. Coast Mastering has expanded one more time with one of the first purposefully built Immersive mastering facility. He designed and built the 9.1.6 capable room from underground up with Bob Hodas and Bob Levy. This was awarded a TEC Nomination for studio design in 2020.
In 2006, Michael, with partners Paul Stubblebine and Dan Schmalle started a tape only label called the Tape Project. They realized the need for the hi-resolution and quality of analog tape. They release 1/4” 15ips two track tapes duplicated real time from the original analog masters.
Michael has been an educator at San Francisco State University and SAE, and is a guest lecturer at other regional colleges and international schools.
Michael’s extensive credits include Alicia Keys, Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Earth Wind & Fire, Kane Brown, CyHi, George Strait, LVCFRT, Star Wars Soundtracks, Fantastic Negrito, Dr Strange 2 Soundtrack, The Eagles, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Lyle Lovett, Selena, Old Dominion, Megan Marooney, Dune Soundtrack, Mr. Big, America, Third Eye Blind, G-Love, Pat Monahan, Devotchka, Jeffrey Gaines, Sea of Bees, Chuck Prophet, Train, Peter Case, Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, Los Amigos Invisibles, Pentatonix, Craig Carothers, Laura Pausini, Matt Nathanson, San Quinn, Jacqui Naylor, Pete Ham, Will Kimbrough, Sutro, The Dynamites, Thompsonia, Megan Keely, Bobby Walker, Jinx Jones, Sun Monks, Ant Banks, SF Jazz, Norton Buffalo, Too $hort, Colorado Symphony, Chanticleer, Dredg, The Devil in California, !!!, Junior Toots, Diegos Umbrella, Daddy, Bill Martin, Brendan Smith, Richard Howell, Alexander String Quartet, Bad Finger, Keith Greeninger, Dan Wolf, Antonio Iturrioz, Pfife Dawg, Sara Lovell, Raelyn Nelson Band, Megan Slankard, Chanticleer, Media Hyperium Surround (Sting, Cheryl Crow, Marvin Gaye, Tears for Fears, Soundgarden, Pink, Evanescence, Seal, Yes, Lady Gaga, Alanis Morisette, Matchbox 20, James Blunt), Jeff Larson and Jeff Foskett, Gerry Beckley, Brother Ayouba and several thousand more.
