Bob Clearmountain, Mixing Pioneer
February 2, 2025
Bob Clearmountain is one of the most important figures in modern music production, a name synonymous with some of the greatest recordings in rock, pop, and beyond. His ability to craft mixes that feel both powerful and natural has set a benchmark for generations of engineers. With a career spanning over four decades, Clearmountain didn’t just shape the sound of individual records – he helped define what it means to be a mix engineer in the first place.
From Aspiring Musician to Studio Prodigy
Born in Connecticut in 1953, Bob Clearmountain was drawn to music from an early age. Like many in the industry, he started as a musician, playing bass guitar in local bands. However, he soon discovered a greater passion for the technical side of music production. This fascination led him to New York City, where he pursued work in recording studios.
His first big break came at MediaSound Studios in the early 1970s. At the time, MediaSound was one of the most prestigious recording facilities in New York, attracting major artists across various genres. Bob Clearmountain started as an assistant engineer, a role that required long hours of meticulous work, setting up sessions, and studying the techniques of senior engineers. He quickly distinguished himself with his attention to detail and ability to get the best sound out of the equipment available.
By the mid-1970s, Bob Clearmountain had begun working on major projects, earning his first mixing credits on records that would soon shape the sound of rock and pop. His ability to create wide, dynamic mixes with a sense of space and clarity set him apart from his peers, and artists started to seek him out specifically for his ear and approach.
Bob Clearmountain helped defined the sound of the 1980s.
Bob Clearmountain's Mediasound Era
During Bob Clearmountain’s early years of development at MediaSound Studios in the 1970s, he worked on a variety of albums that helped shape his skills and refine his approach to mixing. Some of these records weren’t necessarily the massive hits he would later become known for, but they played a crucial role in his evolution as an engineer. Here are some key albums from his formative years:
Roxy Music – Siren (1975)
Although Clearmountain was still establishing himself, his involvement in Siren introduced him to the lush and intricate production style of Roxy Music. This album featured the classic track Love Is the Drug and helped define the sound of art-rock in the mid-1970s. Working on projects like this gave Clearmountain an early understanding of balancing complex arrangements with clarity and depth.
Chic – Chic (1977)
Clearmountain was part of the engineering team behind the debut album of Chic, led by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. The album included the hit Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah), which showcased a groove-heavy mix that allowed disco’s rhythmic precision to shine. His work with Chic helped him master the art of placing bass and drums in a mix – a skill that would become a hallmark of his later rock and pop productions.
The Dead Boys – Young, Loud and Snotty (1977)
A raw and aggressive punk album, Young, Loud and Snotty was a departure from Clearmountain’s later polished rock sound. The album’s rough-edged, energetic feel demonstrated his versatility as an engineer, proving he could mix both intricate, polished productions and raw, in-your-face punk recordings.
Roxy Music – Manifesto (1979)
Clearmountain’s continued work with Roxy Music on Manifesto showed his growing ability to blend sophisticated instrumentation with a modern, danceable groove. This album marked a shift in the band’s sound, and Clearmountain’s mixing helped create a slicker, more contemporary feel that influenced many pop and new wave artists of the time.
The Rolling Stones – Emotional Rescue (1980)
Although Clearmountain is best known for his later work on Tattoo You, he was already working with The Rolling Stones by 1980. Emotional Rescue blended rock with elements of disco and funk, and Clearmountain’s ability to maintain the band’s raw energy while refining their sound was a crucial step in his development.
David Bowie – Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980)
Although not as commercially massive as Let’s Dance, Scary Monsters was a critical success and featured a more experimental production style. Clearmountain contributed to mixing the album, working with producer Tony Visconti to create a sharp, angular sound that fit Bowie’s evolving artistic vision.
During this period, Bob Clearmountain was refining his craft, learning how to balance complex arrangements, create depth and space in a mix, and bring out the best in each instrument. These early projects laid the foundation for his later groundbreaking work with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, and The Rolling Stones, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest mix engineers of all time.
Bob Clearmountain, Defining the Role of the Mix Engineer
Before engineers like Bob Clearmountain, mixing was often considered a functional, almost invisible part of the recording process – something done at the end by the recording engineer to balance levels and prepare a track for release. He changed that perception entirely.
Bob Clearmountain approached mixing as an art form in its own right. He wasn’t just adjusting faders; he was sculpting sound, enhancing the emotional impact of a song, and ensuring every element of a track worked together seamlessly. His mixes weren’t just clear; they had depth, power, and movement.
One of his biggest breakthroughs came in the late 1970s when he worked with Roxy Music on Siren and Manifesto. His ability to blend lush synth textures with crisp, detailed instrumentation caught the attention of artists looking for a more refined, cinematic approach to mixing. Around this time, he also began working with The Rolling Stones, a collaboration that would cement his reputation.
Bob Clearmountain's Career-Defining Projects
Bob Clearmountain’s work with The Rolling Stones on Tattoo You in 1981 was a turning point. His mix of Start Me Up became one of the most recognisable rock mixes of all time, with its punchy, in-your-face guitars and tight, driving rhythm section. The success of that record led to collaborations with other major artists, each one further establishing his signature sound.
One of his most celebrated projects was Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A.. The album, released in 1984, became one of the defining records of the decade, with Clearmountain’s mixes playing a crucial role in its massive sound. The title track, in particular, showcases his skill in balancing power and clarity – Springsteen’s vocals soar above a huge drum sound, a technique that became a staple of Clearmountain’s approach.
David Bowie’s Let’s Dance in 1983 was another landmark. Produced by Nile Rodgers, the album needed a mix that could handle intricate rhythm guitars, powerful drum grooves, and Bowie’s unmistakable voice. Clearmountain delivered, helping to create one of Bowie’s biggest commercial successes. His ability to give every instrument its own space while maintaining an overall cohesion made the songs jump out of the speakers, a quality that defined his best work.
Bryan Adams’ Reckless, released in 1984, is another prime example of Clearmountain’s influence. Songs like Summer of ’69 and Run to You are masterclasses in radio-friendly rock mixing, with rich guitar tones, driving drum sounds, and vocal clarity that became a blueprint for rock mixes in the 1980s and beyond.
Bob Clearmountain's Influence on Other Mix Engineers
Clearmountain’s approach didn’t just shape individual records; it shaped the industry. He set the standard for what a mix should sound like, and his work directly influenced many of the top engineers who followed.
Chris Lord-Alge, one of the most well-known mix engineers of the modern era, has openly acknowledged Clearmountain’s impact on his own approach. The heavy drum reverbs, wide stereo imaging, and punchy low end that became Lord-Alge’s trademarks can all be traced back to Clearmountain’s pioneering work in the 1980s. His brother, Tom Lord-Alge, as well as legendary mixers like Andy Wallace, also took inspiration from Clearmountain’s ability to balance rock energy with pop clarity.
Beyond influencing individuals, Clearmountain played a major role in shaping the tools of the trade. His signature use of effects and reverb became so sought after that Apogee developed the Clearmountain Domain plugin, allowing engineers around the world to integrate his iconic processing chain into their own mixes.
Chris Lord-Alge cites Bob Clearmountain as his greatest influence.
Bob Clearmountain's Surround Mixing
In recent years, Bob Clearmountain has become highly regarded for his work in surround mixing, (primarily Dolby ATMOS) applying his legendary attention to detail and sonic depth to immersive audio formats such as 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos. His approach to surround mixing maintains the same principles that made his stereo mixes iconic – clarity, balance, and a deep sense of space – but expands them into a fully three-dimensional listening experience.
Clearmountain has remixed several classic albums and live performances into surround formats, breathing new life into legendary recordings. His surround mixes of The Rolling Stones – Live at the El Mocambo and Springsteen & The E Street Band – Live in New York City showcase his ability to create a sense of presence, making the listener feel as though they are in the room with the band. He carefully places instruments and vocals around the sound field, ensuring an immersive experience without overwhelming the mix with excessive effects.
One of his most acclaimed surround projects is his work on Roxy Music – Avalon, an album already renowned for its atmospheric production. Clearmountain’s 5.1 remix of the record further enhances its lush textures, allowing elements like Bryan Ferry’s vocals and Phil Manzanera’s guitar work to breathe in a more expansive sonic environment. His ability to maintain the integrity of the original while expanding it into a multidimensional space has set a new standard for immersive remixes.
Beyond classic rock and pop, Clearmountain has also mixed film and concert productions in surround, ensuring the same high level of sonic fidelity in visual media. His mixes allow listeners to experience legendary performances in an entirely new way, capturing both the energy of live shows and the intricate details of studio recordings.
His dedication to surround mixing has not only showcased his adaptability in the evolving world of audio production but has also reinforced his reputation as a master of sonic space. Whether in stereo or immersive formats, Clearmountain’s ability to craft a mix that feels alive remains unparalleled.
Even after decades in the business, Clearmountain remains a vital force in mixing. He has adapted to digital technology while maintaining the warmth and depth that defined his earlier work. Unlike many of his peers, he has never been locked into a single era or style, continuing to work across genres and generations. His contributions to live albums, including The Last Waltz and Springsteen & The E Street Band: Live in New York City, further showcase his ability to bring a sense of energy and immediacy to recordings, whether in the studio or captured on stage. Bob Clearmountain’s influence is everywhere. His work helped define the way we hear music, from the biggest rock anthems to the most polished pop hits. More than just a great mix engineer, he transformed the role into an essential part of the creative process, proving that a well-crafted mix isn’t just about technical precision – it’s about making a song come alive.
Tragically, in early 2025, Bob Clearmountain lost his home and MIX THIS studio to the devastating Los Angeles fires. The disaster claimed his prized SSL console, vintage effects, and decades’ worth of history, marking an immense personal and professional loss.
