Get your music to SMACK! At Smack Mastering.
I’m James Neylon, the engineer behind Smack Mastering LLC and the artist project Big Bang Black Hole. I’ve spent my life inside sound — in studios, on stages, and in electronics labs. I trained at the Institute of Audio Research in NYC and assisted under Grammy‑winning engineer Serge “Surgical” Tsai at Booga Basement, working around artists like Wyclef Jean, Jerry Wonda, City High, Bono of U2, Al West, and The Product G&B.
Alongside studio work, I spent over 25 years as an Electronics Engineer, including six years in R&D at Eventide Inc., helping develop products like the H9000, Euro‑DDL, and Rose. That technical background gives me a deep understanding of signal flow, hardware behavior, and the sonic character of analog gear.
My own music project, Big Bang Black Hole, earned coverage in Rolling Stone en Español and Tuned Loud for the 2024 release Before It’s Gone.
At Smack Mastering LLC, I combine all of this experience to deliver mixes and masters that translate everywhere with clarity, punch, and emotion. Your music comes directly to me — someone who’s lived audio from every angle.
Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.
Credits
Languages
- English
Interview with Smack Mastering
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Analog because anything digital is inherently made from analog processes under the hood.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: If you are not happy with what I did, then neither am I. I want your work to sound huge, if I fail to make that happen I don't want your money or to waste your time.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I really enjoy getting a mix or master to sit right and translate, there is a certain feeling when its got that "thing", when it sounds like a record, that's the moment. Then I know the client is going to be happy and that makes me happy.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Well there is no power on a desert island so we have to go with acoustic instruments: guitar, bass, drums, piano and notebook with a pen. I guess that's 6, whoops!
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: In the late 90's I graduated from the Institute of Audio Research in NYC and I had an internship at Bogga Basement in East Orange NJ.I assisted under Grammy Award Winning Engineer Serge "Surgical" Tsai and had the privilege to work with artists and producers such as Wyclef Jean, Jerry Wonda, City High, Bono of U2, Al West and The Product G & B after leaving to become an independent artist myself. After Booga I found my way into Electronics Engineering and Manufacturing. At one point I was an R&D Engineer at Eventide Inc., where I was part of the new product development team releasing the legendary flagship Eventide H9000, Euro-DDL, Rose and other products in their incredible line up. Success in my Electronics Engineering career gave me the opportunity to been an independent recording artist, releasing music under my own project Big Bang Black Hole. All in all I have been recording for over 30 years I guess.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: That is a tough one. Tricky. His work is some of my favorites.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Stop overthinking. Less is usually more. Things can get out of control quickly. Commit, be a little rebellious and live with the mistakes, Perfection is bliss, but at what cost. Once it begins to feel like work, you have probably crossed the line.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I want the work to translate as the client has envisioned it to and I'll do everything I can t get it there.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I am details guy, so I like to organize everything first. Before I start to work I like to listen to the clients ruff mix and any reference tracks they are aiming for. After that the fun begins.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Big Bang Black Hole. That's my personal outlet, so I get to do all the writing and be an artist. I engineer the whole project too, so that's fun.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am working on a master for a 5 song EP, two singles and a commercial.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: When do you need your project completed by? Beyond output and quality, deadlines. It is imperative to have clear communication about when that date is.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be honest about what you want out of your project and your budget.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Original and creative. Open and Dynamic.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Indie rock but I am open to everything.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Attention to detail.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I run a hybrid setup in a GIK tuned room. Every project hits my outboard from Manley, Solid State Logic, Dangerous Music, Emperical Labs, Eventide, BAE, Universal Audio, Elysia, Bettermaker and more!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am a huge music fan, from jazz to metal and all in between. I love big and open mixes that sound huge and retain massive dynamic range.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Mixing and Mastering.
I was the Mixing and Mastering Engineer in this production
- Mastering EngineerContact for pricing
- Mixing EngineerContact for pricing
- Post MixingContact for pricing
- Post EditingContact for pricing
- RemixingContact for pricing
- Podcast Editing & MasteringContact for pricing
- Vocal TuningContact for pricing
We accept WAV or AIFF files sharing identical starting points (0:00) | 2 Revisions Included | Turn-Around 1-2 Weeks | Client clears all rights |Smack Mastering LLC liability capped at amount billed
- Tame Impala
- Gorillaz
- The Black Keys
- Solid State Logic
- Manley
- BAE
- Empirical Labs
- Dangerous Music
- Heritage Audio
- Great River
- Etc.
