I see these guys constantly on various socials + via instagram ads for mastering. Crazy studio setup, always buying new gear, consoles etc. Is one of them super well off from other unrelated investments or are they just massively in debt? Digging deeper they average like 2 credits each on a good month + theyre uploading content at a full time rate so obviously they cant be very busy with actual mixing / mastering work.

Not trying to spread hate, just curious if anyone happens to know more cause it doesnt add up for me. Only other guess is maybe a few lucrative corporate contracts /clients ?

 

Last edited: Aug 11, 2025

It seems there are some good clients :
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/audio-animals-real-production-_fAqzwCiRz.1h34_sm.STQ#1

 

In summary, Audio Animals’ success likely comes from a mix of diversified services, a scalable online model, strategic financing/leasing of equipment, and savvy marketing through social media. They don’t appear to rely on unrelated investments or massive debt, nor is there strong evidence of a few lucrative corporate contracts driving their finances.

 

Last edited: Aug 11, 2025

Was he a mastering engineer? lol I didn't know

 

Paul Ashmore the co-owner and lead mixing & mastering engineer at Audio Animals, with over two decades of experience working on projects for some of the world’s biggest artists and films. He has established himself as one of the industry’s go-to engineers across all genres.

The centrepiece of Paul’s mixing and mastering studio is his 9.1.4 PMC Dolby Atmos speaker system, featuring 15 speakers meticulously positioned to create an immersive audio experience. Paul operates within a fully three-dimensional mixing environment, utilising 180 channels of analogue processing to achieve a sound quality unlike anything you’ve ever heard before.

Source: www.audioanimals.co.uk/paul-ashmore

 

Giving up on the AI disclosure now, I see.

 

Yeah, as if the AI posts aren't annoying AF as is, now they're in stealth mode.

 

About Paul Ashmore (Audio Animals Mixing & Mastering Engineer)

 

Last edited: Aug 12, 2025

These guys have always looked legit to me. I don't get the propensity for people to look at someone else's success and cast all these aspersions based purely on speculation. Or perhaps I'm just no fun.

 

Once your names known people will pay lots to have you work on their stuff, just to have your name in the credits.
Then they hope for the "hey I recognise that name. It must be good" effect.

Remeber your more employable as a famous screw up then a competent nobody.

 

How many mastering engineers who have at least 10 major (or large indie for smaller genres) credits can you name off the top of your head?

 

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if most of their income comes from the content side rather than the mastering itself. I know a couple of engineers who barely take on client work anymore because the YouTube/Instagram sponsorships, affiliate links, and brand partnerships end up paying way better. Gear companies especially will throw decent money at people with the right audience, and when you factor in ad revenue and maybe some paid courses or workshops, it can easily cover that constant stream of new toys.

 

I asked myself the exact same questions... but ultimately, I like the tests he does and I appreciate that he's so quick to try everything that comes out independently and professionally.

He remains intriguing, he has extraordinary financial resources, and seems to spend his life testing dream hardware and plugins, but hey... I like his channel and his opinion in general.