When thinking about the simplicity or complexity of music, an art form synonymous with humanity and culture, it is often instinctive to think of the artist, the guitarist, or even the evocative music video that leaves a lasting impression. Yet behind the music that captivates listeners is another creative force: the audio engineer, who mixes, masters, and ultimately helps give a recording its sonic identity. Their work can be heard across culturally significant productions, from Hedwig’s Theme in Harry Potter to the original score of Challengers: Match Point, whose distinctive sound became an integral part of the film’s cultural impact.
These architects of sound operate as audio-savvy chameleons, working across multiple facets of sound. According to SAE Institute, audio engineers work with the mechanics of recording, mixing, and reproducing sound, often specializing in areas such as live sound, broadcasting, and post-production. For Emmy-winning recording and mixing engineer Mike Post, widely known by his engineering alias “Moose,” the technical side of engineering represents only a fraction of the work. He views the engineer as a creative collaborator.
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“You can take a step back from some of the more technical aspects and still see it as a work of art; music is not supposed to be clinical. It's supposed to be a feeling,” said Post. Years of engineering have trained Post’s ears to experience music differently from the average listener. Yet, he remains intentional about reconnecting with the feeling of hearing music holistically, simply as a listener.
“Can you separate from the more technical parts? Can you keep that part of you alive while you're listening to music in a different way? You hear everything differently as a producer and engineer; I just try to remind myself it's more about the feeling of the song.”
Post’s path to engineering and producing was not born from a formal pursuit of the profession, but rather from a devotion to music. He embarked on what would become his audio career at seventeen, when he began playing music in a band with friends in the bustling city of New York. Poor experiences in recording studios eventually planted the seed for building a home studio of his own. He quickly realized that he could build a home studio for roughly what he and his bandmates were paying to use studios that belonged to others. Taking recording into his own hands opened the possibility of not only a career within music, but a career behind its technical artistry.
“I just love music, and I wanted to play music; I felt like this engineering thing could be a viable career.” For Post, that viable career has evolved into a dual role as both an engineer and producer. While the two disciplines work harmoniously together, he distinguishes them by the ways in which they engage with music. “Engineering is a lot more technical and captures the sound of an artist sonically and technically. Production is about the song and a bit more hands-on, working one-on-one with the artist,” Post said.
Many of the projects he undertakes require him to have a foot in both worlds.
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The Chapter NYC · Inaugural Issue
The Gilded Stage
The Gilded Stage is the inaugural issue of The Chapter NYC, a luxury print & digital magazine exploring the intersection of wealth, influence, and the arts. Anchored in the world of ballet and the performing arts, The Gilded Stage moves beyond surface-level storytelling to document the decisions, disciplines, and transitions that define modern success. From finance and real estate to literature, music, and visual culture, each section is curated to reflect the lifestyles and interests of high-earning, taste-driven readers.
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Trinity Battle is a freelance journalist investigating culture, identity, shunned realities, and transitions. Her work examines relationship dynamics, systems of power, and emotional life, with bylines in She’s Single Magazine and ReVamp Magazine, as well as in projects with the African American Male Wellness Agency. She focuses on reinvention, vulnerability, Blackness, and the forces shaping individual and collective evolution.
