John Polito (owner, chief engineer)
Graduated with honors from Stanford University specializing in digital audio signal processing and composition at CCRMA (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics). In 1987 became Product Manager for the subsequently highly successful NoNoise system. Worked closely with major record labels as a NoNoise expert in the burgeoning archive reissue field; personally trained many engineers who use the system. Also worked in conjunction with the FBI on forensic cases and has been called upon on several occasions to serve as an expert witness. Currently working on restoration, editing, and mastering projects for music, film, television, and legal industries.
Bob Sky (managing director)
Bob Sky joined Audio Mechanics as Managing Director in April of 2010 overseeing project workflow, customer relations, strategic planning, and administration. Bob has a deep understanding of sound from a management, creative, and technical perspective having co-founded and co-owned both Chace Productions (1984-1987) and Novastar Digital Sound Services (1990-2005). Bob’s vast experience in sound restoration and preservation services makes him perfectly suited to foster Audio Mechanics’ continued growth and development as one of the industry leaders.
Ellis Burman (audio engineer)
Ellis Burman graduated with honors from California State University Northridge with a degree in Electrical Engineering specializing in analog circuit design. This led to a job at Quad Eight Electronics as a designer of large format automated film and music mixing consoles. From there he moved to the production side, restoring films and TV shows with the Sonic Solutions NoNoise® system, recording and mixing TV spots, music, and independent films. He has worked at Audio Mechanics since October 2005.
Daryl Frame (audio engineer)
Daryl Frame has been working as an audio engineer since the late 1980′s. He has a degree in Music Engineering and Technology from Ball State University minoring in electronics, with emphasis in music composition and music performance. He has worked at Audio Mechanics since 2005. As well as restoring film audio he has also recorded and mixed everything from symphony orchestras to solo marimba, from 35 piece swing choirs to three man punk bands, as well as commercial voice-over, Foley and DVD commentaries.
Paul Tinta (audio engineer)
Paul Tinta grew up in Toledo, Ohio. After graduating from the University of Toledo, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue music and attended the Musician’s Institute of Hollywood. He worked for 8 years in film and TV post-production as a sound assistant/editor for some of the major studios. He has worked in film and TV restoration at Audio Mechanics since 2002.
Brandon Jones (audio engineer)
Originally from Chicago, Brandon moved to Los Angeles to study classical guitar at Pepperdine University and earned his masters in music at USC. Before he joined the staff at Audio Mechanics, he worked as an audio editor and mixer for independent film and television and has a long, diverse list of credits. Brandon has worked at Audio Mechanics restoring film since 2008.
Chris Landen (audio engineer)
A California native, Chris spent over a decade producing and editing classical recordings for Delos Records in Hollywood. This led to a job editing and mastering soundtrack albums for composer James Horner including “The Perfect Storm”, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and “A Beautiful Mind.” Chris was a staff engineer at Bernie Becker Mastering for 6 years and was recently a member of the Warner Bros. archive team at Pacific Mastering. Chris holds a degree in music theory and composition from California State Northridge and has been with Audio Mechanics since November 2009.
Oki Miyano (preservationist)
Oki grew up in Japan and worked as a visual effects model maker for 5 years before moving to Los Angeles in 2000. He received his Masters from UCLA in Moving Image Archive Studies and has worked as a preservationist at Audio Mechanics since 2008. Oki also writes articles for Japanese film journals.
Clay Dean (preservationist)
Born and raised in Memphis, Clay moved to the Boulder/Denver area in 2001 to study filmmaking and began a career in film preservation. Since then he has lived between Bangladesh, India, and Los Angeles. Prior to joining Audio Mechanics, Clay worked as a preservationist in a variety of settings including picture restoration/preservation projects at The CinemaLab and Triage Motion Picture Services. Clay’s own films have screened in venues worldwide.
Mark Mangiagli (data engineer)
Mark attended Cal State University of Long Beach and received his bachelors in Film and Electronic Arts. After being inspired by a sound design course he attended The Musician’s Institute in Hollywood and earned his certification in Audio Engineering and Post Production. He has also participated in various production assistant work, including The American Music Awards and Gurney Productions. Mark began working at Audio Mechanics in 2011.
Kathy Nicosia (office manager)
Originally from Minnesota, Kathy raised her family in New Jersey and eventually moved to Los Angeles in 2003. She has worked as the office manager at Audio Mechanics since 2003.
