Thom Cadley
Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Tcadley audio (talk) 19:43, 15 August 2026 (UTC)
Thom Cadley is an American audio mixing engineer, producer, and academic.[1] He is best known for his fourteen-year tenure at Sony Music Studios in New York City, where as the chief mixing engineer he oversaw audio production for major live television broadcasts, feature films, and multi-channel surround sound releases. Cadley won Spain's Goya Award for Best Sound, a Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Award, was nominated for a second TEC Award, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for his broadcast audio work.
Career
Studio engineering and television (1993–2007)
Cadley began working in the New York studio landscape in the 1980s, working as an assistant at studios such as Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, and The Hit Factory in New York City. Producers he assisted at that time included Bob Clearmountain, Desmond Child, Eddie Kramer, Frank Filipetti, and Elliot Scheiner. Early engineering sessions during this time included working with rock musician Joan Jett on three of her albums.[2][3] In 1993, he joined the staff of Sony Music Studios in New York City, eventually rising to the position of chief mixing engineer, a role he maintained until the studio facility closed in 2007.[4]
During his time with Sony, Cadley became a prominent engineer for live televised music specials. He mixed the audio for the PBS music series Sessions at West 54th and multiple installments of VH1 Storytellers.[5] In 1999, Cadley received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series or Special for his work on the TNT broadcast An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Cash.[6] In 2000, he was asked back for An All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell.[5] Following the events of September 11, 2001, he served as a co-producer and co-mixer for the benefit broadcast event The Concert for New York City, an assignment that earned him a Technical Excellence and Creativity (TEC) Award for Remote Production/Recording or Broadcast.[7] The following years also included multi-artist shows honoring Willie Nelson: Stars & Guitars (2002) and Live and Kickin' (2003).[5]
At the same time, Cadley worked with Sony’s Legacy and Columbia labels on their archival projects, including recordings for Muddy Waters, The Allman Brothers Band, and a number of releases for Billy Joel.[8] He also became noted as one of the early adopters in multi-channel audio production, specializing in 5.1 surround sound music mixing for artists such as Beyoncé, Rod Stewart, and Luther Vandross.[9] He continues working in the immersive mixing field as the technology evolves.
Media credits
Cadley's high-profile credits include mixing Led Zeppelin's performance with guests Aerosmith and Neil Young at the 10th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony;[10] recording the original Broadway cast album for Disney's The Lion King; recording and mixing the 2000 Latin jazz documentary film Calle 54, which won Spain's Goya Award for Best Sound;[11] mixing Sting's album with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra Live in Berlin; and recording and mixing A Celebration of American Creativity: In Performance at the White House.[12] Over his career, Cadley's engineering and mixing portfolio also included work for a diverse group of major artists, including David Bowie, Michael Jackson, The Ramones, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Miles Davis, Whitney Houston, and Bruno Mars.[2][13]
Interactive audio and academia (2007–present)
Following the 2007 closure of Sony Music Studios, Cadley went independent and added interactive entertainment to his portfolio. He became one of the primary music mixers tasked with translating studio masters into playable configurations for the Rock Band and Guitar Hero music video game franchises. His responsibilities involved sorting through and remixing hundreds of multi-track studio tapes from artists such as Metallica, The Clash, John Mayer, Boston, Paramore, Yes, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.[4][14]
Cadley later paused full-time studio work to follow academic pursuits, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Empire State College in 2020. At this point he began teaching for programs at Pratt Institute, Michigan Technological University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Dark Horse Institute. He followed this by earning a Master of Music Technology from Southern Utah University in 2026. He currently is a faculty member of the School of Media Arts and Studies within the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, where he teaches advanced music production, mixing, and immersive sound formats.[15]
Awards and nominations
- 1999: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special – Nominated (An All-Star Tribute to Johnny Cash)[6]
- 2001: Goya Award for Best Sound (Mejor Sonido) – Winner (Calle 54)[11]
- 2002: TEC Awards – Winner, Remote Production/Recording or Broadcast (The Concert for New York City)[7]
- 2014: TEC Awards – Nominated, Remote Production/Recording or Broadcast (Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013)[16]
References
- ↑ Staff Writer (November 12, 2018). "RedNet Chosen By TV Tech". Focusrite. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Thom Cadley Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ Daley, Dan (May 1998). "New York Studio Frontiers: Engineering at the Top". Mix Magazine. pp. 42–47.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Weiss, David (March 31, 2010). "Thom Cadley: Mixing Rock Bands for Rock Band". SonicScoop. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Behind the Glass on Music Television Specials". Billboard. Vol. 111 no. 46. November 13, 1999. p. 54.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Thom Cadley Emmy Awards & Nominations". Emmys.com. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "The TEC Awards 2002 Winners". TEC Awards. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, Take Five: Mastering 5.1". Billboard. Vol. 114 no. 15. April 13, 2002. p. 48.
- ↑ Flint, Tom (October 2003). "Sony Studios Multi-Channel Blueprint". Pro Sound News. Vol. 25 no. 10. pp. 18–21.
- ↑ "Led Zeppelin Performs 'When The Levee Breaks' with Neil Young at the 1995 Induction Ceremony". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2026-08-15 – via YouTube.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Películas » Premios Goya 15 Edición". PremiosGoya.com. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ "In Performance at the White House: A Celebration of American Creativity". PBS. Retrieved 2026-08-15 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Thom Cadley Filmography and Sound Department Credits". IMDb. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ Marlatt, Benjamin (August 1, 2010). "The Master Mixer Behind Guitar Hero". Bedford Patch. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ "MDIA Visiting Professional brings high profile music industry recording experience". Ohio University. October 16, 2024. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ "The 30th NAMM TEC Awards Nominees for Creative Achievement". TEC Awards. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
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