Ian Stewart

Assistant Professor

Affiliated Departments

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Ian Stewart is a mastering engineer, author, and audio educator from the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, where he's operated Flotown Mastering since 2011. Stewart received his B.S. in music engineering technology from the University of Miami in 2007 and has been a passionate advocate for audio quality, and for fostering a better understanding of the topics surrounding it, ever since. He has worked with artists, including KRS-One and Mr. Lif, and codeveloped the Basslane Pro plugin released by Tone Projects in 2022.

Courses Taught (1)

Mastering and Delivery

IR-410

Career Highlights

Owner/Operator at Flotown Mastering
Codeveloper of Basslane Pro plugin
Mixed projects featuring KRS-One and Mr. Lif
Proficient on trumpet, contributed to works by KRS-One and Jackson Whalan
Helped curate and run two online mastering academies for the AES
Thought leader and designer of hybrid learning technologies pioneered at Harvard Business School during the COVID-19 pandemic

Awards

2021 Commercial Integrator's 40 Under 40

In Their Own Words

There's so much to love about the practice of audio mastering: constantly hearing new music, making it sound its best, being the first to hear it in its final state. If even a small percentage of my enthusiasm and love of the art—and science—of mastering rubs off on my students, I'll be very fulfilled. I believe if the drive and passion are there, and the resources are available, the rest will follow.

Having built a mastering service from the ground up, I've gone through times where I didn't have a perfect acoustic space, precision, or mastering-grade analog equipment. That meant I had to learn to achieve great results often using only plugins and headphones. I'm excited to bring that experience—mistakes, pitfalls, and all—to my students so that they can learn not only how to master, but how to grow professionally even under challenging circumstances.