About smackmastering.com

Our Story

At Smack Mastering LLC, every mix and master gets the same level of focus, precision, and dedication. This studio is built on one simple idea: your music deserves to sound exactly the way you imagined it — and better.

Who I Am

I’m James Neylon, Principal Engineer at Smack Mastering LLC and the artist behind Big Bang Black Hole. I’ve spent my entire life inside sound — in studios, on stages, and in electronics labs — and I bring all of that experience into every project I touch.

I’m an avid music lover with an eclectic ear, and I use that taste to shape every mix and master with intention. I graduated from the Institute of Audio Research in NYC, then cut my teeth assisting under Grammy Award–winning engineer Serge “Surgical” Tsai at Booga Basement in NJ. That’s where I had the privilege of working around artists and producers like Wyclef Jean, Jerry Wonda, City High, Bono of U2, Al West, and The Product G&B before becoming an independent artist and producer myself.

The Technical Side

Alongside my studio work, I’ve spent over 25 years as an Electronics Engineer. I started at Triple S Inc., fixing Alicia Keys’ touring setup and instruments from Fishbone and others. As I grew from technician to engineer, I eventually joined Eventide Inc. as an R&D Engineer, spending over six years helping develop products like the Eventide H9000, Euro‑DDL, Rose, and other flagship units.

That technical background gives me a deep understanding of signal flow, hardware behavior, and the sonic character of analog gear — knowledge I use every day when shaping your sound.

The Artist Side

Throughout my career, I’ve been in and out of bands, performing live and building my personal music project Big Bang Black Hole. The 2024 release Before It’s Gone earned rave reviews for tracks like “Limited Service” and “Good Dog Jack,” with coverage in Rolling Stone en Español, Tuned Loud, and more.

Why This Matters for Your Music

With the opening of Smack Mastering LLC in 2026, I combined everything — engineering, electronics, production, performance — into one place. My goal is simple: I want your music to translate exactly as you envisioned it, everywhere it’s played. And I’ll do everything I can to get it there.

The Smack Mastering Sound

We work in a professionally treated GIK‑tuned room using a hybrid chain of boutique analog and digital hardware from:Manley, Solid State Logic, Dangerous Music, Empirical Labs, Eventide, BAE, Universal Audio, Elysia, Bettermaker, and more.

Every track is processed through a custom signal path designed to bring out the best in your performance, production, and arrangement.

Get Your Music to SMACK

Give your next project the sound you want — from the man behind Big Bang Black Hole, as recommended in Rolling Stone en Español, Tuned Loud, and more.

Get your music to SMACK at Smack Mastering.