ROB COATES
CHIEF ENGINEER
ABOUT ROB COATES
MIX ENGINEER / MASTERING ENGINEER / PRODUCER
Rob Coates is an audio engineer, mix engineer, mastering engineer, producer, and educator with more than three decades of experience shaping records for artists and labels worldwide. His career spans sessions in some of the industry’s most respected studios, including Blackbird, Ocean Way, Sound Kitchen, Morrisound Recording, and Darkhorse Recording.
As the founder of LabelMix Studios, Rob combines the art and science of sound — balancing technical precision with creative instinct. He’s known for his ability to bring clarity, depth, and emotion to every project, ensuring each mix honors the artist’s original intent while meeting professional standards of tone, space, and energy.
Rob’s work has contributed to independent and label releases across genres from rock and pop to gospel and country. What drives him isn’t just perfection — it’s connection. Every project is a partnership, and every mix is a chance to help an artist’s vision become something timeless.
LabelMix - Founder / Chief Engineer
ProTools Certified Operator
Waves Certified Operator
Audio Educator Advisory Boards
Advisor, Les Paul Foundation
Advisor, Eventide Audio
Advisor, Empirical Labs
Advisor, Bettermaker
Advisor, Oeksound
Advisor, Audio Movers
Advisor, Antelope Audio
Research Interests
Beyond the studio, Rob Coates has dedicated his career to advancing the craft of audio through education and research. As a former adjunct professor in Belmont University’s Audio Engineering Technology program, he has taught courses in recording, audio dynamics, audio engineering, and production — blending academic precision with real-world studio experience. His ongoing work explores how technology, psychology, and creative process intersect in modern music production, with a focus on helping the next generation of engineers and artists understand not just how to mix, but why great mixes connect emotionally.