Rachmaninoff | Piano Concerto No. 3 & Scriabin Etudes

At Sterling Sound, Ryan Smith has built a name for himself in vinyl mastering and lacquer cutting. He takes pride in preserving the full richness of the original recording while adapting it to the physical limits of vinyl. His masterings are prized for their balance: the energy of a live concert combined with the precision and warmth of home listening.

Based in Germany, Optimal Media combines impressive production capacity with uncompromising quality control. Capable of pressing more than 25 million records a year, the plant is known for its strict standards. Some of the most prestigious box sets, like the Beatles’ mono box, are pressed here.

Since 1968, Sterling Sound has been one of the world’s most respected mastering studios. It has helped shape the sound of legends like Led Zeppelin. Sterling’s reputation is built on one core value: respect the artist’s vision while pushing the vinyl format to its limits. Engineers like Ryan Smith take great care with every project, from lacquer cutting to full vinyl mastering, so listeners can experience the music exactly as the artist imagined.