Brian Gardner

US mastering and lacquer cutting engineer, based in Los Angeles (California), often referred to as [a=Big Bass Brian] (a moniker given by [a=Dr. Dre]).

Began as a location - custom recording engineer and [l191050] Franchised Associate based in Redwood City, California and eventually relocating to their home offices in Saugus, CA. He learned how to operate a cutting lath at [l=Century Record Mfg. Co.] while still a teenager. In 1965 he started professionally in the mastering room of [l=RCA Studios, Hollywood], occasionally doing recording as second engineer. At RCA, [a=Creedence Clearwater Revival] became so impressed with his work they hired him as the first employee at [l=Fantasy Studios], where he worked as mastering engineer and producer between 1969 and 1974, remastering many artists of the [l=Prestige] and [l=Milestone] catalogues. He then moved on to [l=Allen Zentz Mastering], working on most of the [l=Casablanca] catalogue. He moved to [l=Bernie Grundman Mastering] in 1984, retiring there in 2015. He continues to operate his own studio [l=Brian Gardner Mastering].

He signs his cuts in a variety of ways. Most straightforward are his initials BKG, but mostly he etches a flower or "seagulls". Please credit as follows

Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ❀] - Brian Gardner

Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀] - Brian Gardner

The latter signature should not be confused with [a1296494].