Dave Pensado has revolutionized modern audio through his groundbreaking mixing techniques, his mentorship of new creatives in the industry, and his love and dedication to the craft. He is a Grammy Award-winning mix engineer whose remarkable career has transformed the sound of modern music, not from the stage, but from behind the console. With over four decades of experience, Pensado has become one of the most trusted, respected, and innovative figures in audio engineering. His fingerprints are on the music of our lives, and his legacy reaches far beyond the control room.
Dave began his career in the 1970s and 1980s in Atlanta, working in both live and studio sound. In 1990, he moved to Los Angeles, becoming a fixture at the iconic Larrabee Studios. Since then, he has mixed over 250 songs annually, a staggering output by any measure. His credits include some of the most legendary artists of our time: Beyoncé, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Shakira, Justin Bieber and many more. His work on Mary J. Blige’s Growing Pains earned him a Grammy Award in 2008 for Best Contemporary R&B Album.
However, Dave Pensado’s greatest achievement might be his influence outside the credits. In 2011 he launched Pensado’s Place, a groundbreaking weekly web series that opened the doors of the recording industry to the world. Through six hundred episodes with the goal of openly sharing his knowledge with the music community. Dave has shared his knowledge, hosted intimate conversations with top producers and engineers, and demystified the art and science of sound. Pensado’s Place has become a global platform for education, community, and inspiration, watched by millions and used as a learning tool in studios, classrooms, and bedrooms alike.
In a field once guarded by gatekeepers, Dave became a teacher, a mentor, and an open book offering insights, stories, and encouragement to the next generation. Through his generosity and passion, he helped redefine what it means to be an engineer in the digital age.
In 2020, he was inducted into the NAMM TEC Hall of Fame, a fitting recognition for his unmatched contributions to music technology and education. And even today, Dave continues to share his wisdom with the world on social media, on YouTube, and on every project he touches.
Though his full name might include “Frank” or “David,” the world knows and celebrates him simply as Dave Pensado.
For the songs he’s shaped, the careers he’s guided, and the countless lives he’s touched through mentorship and innovation, we believe Dave Pensado embodies the very spirit of The Recording Academy’s Trustee Award.