Ray Staff is a British mastering engineer, best known for his work with a diverse mix of artists including Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Clash and Black Sabbath. Most recently he has mastered albums for Muse.
Biography and career Joining Trident Studios (a recording facility originally located at 17, St. Anne's Court in London's Soho district) in 1970, Ray Staff became part of the newly formed Mastering Department contributing to projects such as: David Bowie, Aladdin Sane, Ziggy Stardust and Elton John. Staff moved on to become Trident's first Chief Mastering Engineer.
For Monty Python, Staff created the world's first three-sided album by cutting two spirals on one side of the disc, creating the "hidden" third side. This was topped later with a Johnny Moped album for Ace Records, where the first track on the A-side was double cut, the two spirals then joined to play the remaining side of the album.
Whilst Senior Mastering Engineer at Sony's UK Studios, Staff became part of the international team developing Sony's proprietary archiving system.
Other classics mastered by Staff include Physical Graffiti and Presence by Led Zeppelin, Crime of the Century by Supertramp, It's Only Rock 'n Roll by The Rolling Stones and Hemispheres by Rush.
Recent years He is regularly featured in Hi-Fi publications for his work on audiophile vinyl releases. He is also much sought after by labels Alchemy Soho from the worlds of jazz, world music, classical and crossover. Staff is also building an increasing number of surround mastering projects to his portfolio, including Gary Moore, Deep Purple, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Alice Cooper released during the past few months.
Discography Year Album Artist Role2016Use Less UMosquito-BMastering200224 Hour Party PeopleSoundtrackVarious artistsRemastering1997Sueños en tránsitoNicoleMastering200137 Brits 2001 Hits: Brit AwardsVarious artistsMastering2005Adam Ant RemastersRemastered, limited-edition box setRemastering, digital remastering2000African FantasyTrilok GurtuMastering1988African Typic CollectionVarious artistsMastering2004AfterlifeMastering2004AfterlifeBonus CDMastering2000A1Mastering1996Alive at Ronnie Scott'sEngineer1972All The Young DudesMott the HoopleMastering2006AmaralChristmas editionAmaralMastering2004AM-FMMastering2001AuraAsiaMastering1996AuthenticMastering2000Balengu VillageMastering1997Beautiful WorldMastering2002Becoming Something ElseSugarcomaMastering2004Belle-Issima!: Sweet Memories...Mastering1993Benga Blast!Mastering2007Betcha Bottom DollarMastering2006Betcha Bottom DollarUK editionMastering2001Biografias Do AmorRemastering2001Bitter Suites to SuccubiCradle of FilthMastering1970Black SabbathJapan bonus tracksBlack SabbathRemastering1972Black Sabbath Vol. 4Black SabbathRemastering1998Black to the FutureMastering1995Blue ValentineMastering1983Born AgainBlack SabbathRemastering2001British SteelBonus tracksJudas PriestCut2002CaliforniaMastering1998Mastering1976Child in TimeMastering1991Clash on BroadwayRemastering2004Clash on Broadway2004 reissueRemastering2002Remastering2000Code: Brasil - Target: RecipeVarious artistsMastering2001CoincidênciasRemastering2005Judas PriestCut, mastering20042004 long box setRemastering20052005 small box setRemastering1982Combat RockRemastering2005Concrete and Street LampsMastering2003Conversations with the UnseenMastering1998ConvocatoriaMastering2007Trinity RevisitedVinylCowboy JunkiesMastering2006Cradle of FilthMastering2003Crossing the StoneMastering1996Cuando te vi PartirMastering1995Supervisor2005DakshinaMastering2003Damnation and a DayCradle of FilthMastering2003Damnation and a DayJapan bonus tracksCradle of FilthMastering2006DesafioMastering1991Direction Ov TravelEngineer1978Disguise in LoveMastering2005Disguise in LoveBonus tracksMastering1990Don't FretMastering2007Double TroubleBonus tracksGillanMastering2003Dream SoldierMastering1980DukeGenesisMastering1998Dum Dum BabyBaby FoxMastering1998Dum Dum BabyJapanBaby FoxMastering2006Bonus CDMastering1998Educating RitaSoundtrackMastering2006Mastering2007Eighteen6 tracksMastering2000El Alquimista (The Alchemist)Mastering2003UK bonus trackRemastering2003Estrella de marAmaralMastering2004Estrella de marBonus tracksAmaralMastering2003Dead or AliveRemastering2003Limited editionDead or AliveDigital remastering2005ExitsMastering1995ExuberanciaIrakereEngineer2001No More Shall We PartNick Cave and the Bad SeedsMastering2002Film WorksMastering2000Australia CDErasureMastering2000ErasureMastering2005Friend or FoeBonus tracksRemastering1998Fruit CocktailVarious artistsEngineer, mixing2007Future ShockBonus tracksGillanMastering2004GazeMastering1944Get with CabCutting engineer1992GhostsongsMastering, mixing1984Give Daddy the Knife CindyNaz Nomad and the NightmaresPost production, post producer1978Give 'em Enough RopeRemastering2006Give Me a WallMastering2007Glory RoadBonus tracksGillanMastering2004Golddiggas, Headnodders and Pholk SongsMastering1992Groovin''' | |Engineer, mastering |- |1990 |Guitar Paradise of East Africa|Various artists |Mastering |- |1999 |Healing Angel|Touched by an Angel |Mastering |- |1978 |Hemispheres |Rush |Mastering |- |2004 |HeroesSony |Various artists |Remastering |- |2000 |Highland Cathedral| |Mastering |- |2001 |History|Penguin Cafe Orchestra |Remastering |- |1989 |Home Ground|Battlefield Band |Mastering |- |1996 |Hot| |Engineer, mastering |- |1994 |Hot House|Reykjavik Jazz Quartet |Mastering |- |1996 |I Gotta Right to Sing| |Engineer, mastering |- |1999 |I Gotta Right to Sing / Nice and Easy| |Engineer |- |2007 |I Love the Future|Caufield |Mastering |- |2004 |I Only Wrote this Song for You: A Tribute to Johnny ThundersDiesel Motor|Various artists |Duplication |- |1995 |I Only Wrote this Song for You: A Tribute to Johnny ThundersEssential|Various artists |Mastering |- |1965 |In a Mellow Tone| |Mastering, preparation |- |1996 |In Memory of Thunder| |Mastering |- |1986 | |Various artists |Mastering |- |1995 |Indestructible Beat of Soweto, Vol. 3: Thunder Before Dawn|Various artists |Mastering |- |2005 |It Was Not Here| |Mastering |- |2005 |Jazz Warrior| |Mastering |- |2001 |Kilas o Mau da Fita| |Remastering |- |1991 | |Various artists |Mastering |- |1996 |Kon'ko Man| |Mastering |- |1997 |Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space|Spiritualized |Mastering |- |2001 |Lake of Shadows| |Mastering |- |2006 |Last Dance| |Mastering |- |2003 |Let Freedom Ring!| |Mastering |- |1979 |Life on the Ceiling| |Editing |- |2000 |Linn Box One| |Mastering |- |2000 |The Linn Box: 3| |Mastering |- |2006
|Mastering |- |2006 |Live at Montreux 1996|Deep Purple |Mastering |- |2007 |Live at Montreux 2002|UB40 |Mastering |- |1991 |Live at Ronnie Scott's|Irakere |Mastering |- |2007 |Live at the BudokanSpecial Edition | |Mastering |- |1994 |Live at the Point | |Mixing |- |1998 |Live EvilRemastered |Black Sabbath |Remastering |- |2007 |Live in Asia|Asia |Mastering |- |2004 |London Calling25th Anniversary Legacy Edition | |Remastering |- |2002 |Love Is Here|Starsailor |Mastering |- |2006 |Import Bonus Tracks | |Mastering |- |2000 |Loveboat|Erasure |Mastering |- |1996 |Lozko|Maanam |Mastering |- |2007 |MagicEdsel Bonus Tracks |Gillan |Mastering |- |1997 |Majoun| |Mastering |- |2000 |Maroon| |Mastering |- |1971 |Master of Reality|Black Sabbath |Remastering |- |2002 |Me Without You: Music from the Motion PictureOriginal Soundtrack |Various artists |Remastering |- |2003 |Mediterraneo| |Mastering |- |2004 |Meets Scientist in a Midnight Rock Dub, Vol. 1|King Tubby |Mastering |- |2004 |Melek | |Mastering |- |1989 |Mettle|Hugo Largo |Mastering |- |2006 |MettleBonus tracks |Hugo Largo |Mastering |- |1999 |Michael Flatley's Feet of Flames| |Mastering |- |1979 |Mick Taylor | |Mastering |- |2000 |Midian |Cradle of Filth |Mastering |- |2002 |Mods Mayday '792 Disc |Various artists |Cutting engineer |- |2001 | |Erasure |Mastering |- |1977 |Moroccan Roll|Brand X |Mastering |- |1977
|Post production |- |1990 |Bonus tracks | |Post production |- |2007 |Mr. UniverseBonus track |Gillan |Mastering |- |2005 |MTV Unplugged|Giorgia |Mastering |- |2005 |Multitudes|Illapu |Engineer |- |1996 |Murder Ballads|Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds |Mastering |- |2007 |Music for Astronauts and Cosmonauts| |Mastering |- |2005 |Music for Films IIIBonus tracks | |Mastering |- |1995 |Naked Flame| |Mastering |- |1994 |Nebuchadnezzar| |Mastering |- |1978 |Never Say Die!|Black Sabbath |Remastering |- |1996 |N'ga Funk| |Mastering |- |2005 |Nice Guy| |Mastering |- |1963 |Night and Day| |Mastering, preparation |- |1986 | |Various artists |Mastering |- |2002
|Mastering |- |2006 |Nine| |Mastering |- |2001 |No More Shall We Part|Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds |Mastering |- |2001 |No More Shall We PartBonus tracks |Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds |Mastering |- |1996 | |Baby Fox |Mastering |- |2005 |Nova Latino, Vol. 4|Various artists |Mastering |- |2006 |Now Listen| |Mastering |- |2005 |Nude|Iconcrash |Mastering |- ||2000 |Obsession| |Mastering |- |2010 |Oh Vanille/Ova Nil180g audiophile vinyl [2010 Reissue] | |Mastering |- |2000 |Open Mind| |Mastering |- |2001 |Origin of Symmetry|Muse |Mastering |- |2006 |Out in the SunBonus track | |Cut |- |1979 |Over the Rainbow| |Cutting engineer |- |2003 |Overgrown EdenJapan bonus tracks |InMe |Mastering |- |1971 |Paranoid |Black Sabbath |Remastering |- |2004 |Pastora|Pastora |Mastering |- |2001 |De Pequenino Se Torce O Destino | |Remastering |- |1998 |Perfect Time| |Mastering |- |1980 |Permanent Waves |Rush |Mastering |- |1998
|Mastering |- |2005 |Picture |Kino |Mastering |- |2007 |Soundtrack | |Mastering |- |2007 |Platinum CollectionEMI Bonus Tracks | |Mastering |- |1978 |Pleasure Signals| |Mastering |- |2001 |Point of EntryBonus tracks |Judas Priest |Mastering |- |2001
|Remastering |- |1979 |Product |Brand X |Mastering |- |2007 |Prog | |Mastering |- |2001
|Remastering |- |1997 |Quiet Nights | |Mastering |- |2015 |Reaching For The Light |King King |Mastering |- |2015 |Reflections |The Mentulls |Mastering |- |1996 |Rocket |Primitive Radio Gods |Mastering |- |1996 |RocketEdited, clean |Primitive Radio Gods |Mixing |- |1977 |Round the Back| |Mastering |- |2005 |Rush Hour|Sean Hargreaves Trio |Mastering |- |1973 |Sabbath Bloody Sabbath|Black Sabbath|Remastering |- |1996 |SabotageESM |Black Sabbath |Remastering |- |1993 |Sabroso!|Various artists |Mastering |- |1989 |Sabroso!: Havana Hits |Various artists |Mastering |- |2001
|Remastering |- |1982 |Scatterlings|Juluka |Mastering |- |1981 |Scientist Meets the Space Invaders|Scientist |Mastering |- |1999 |Searchin' / Hot| |Mastering |- |1986 |Seventh Star|Black Sabbath |Remastering |- |1990
|Mastering |- |1991 |Capitol | |Mastering |- |1976 |Shouting and Pointing| |Mastering |- |1990 |Shumba| |Mastering |- |1998 |Silence Between Waves| |Mastering |- |2004 |Sixties Rebellion, Vol. 7: The Backyard Patio|Various artists |Mastering, cutting engineer |- |1998 |Slain By Urusei Yatsura|Urusei Yatsura |Mastering |- |2001 |Smiling & Waving| |Mastering |- |2001 |Os Sobreviventes| |Remastering |- |1991 |Solo Piano| |Mastering |- |1983 |Sonero| |Mastering |- |1964 |Sonny's Blues Live st Ronnie Scott's | |Mastering, preparation |- |2005 |Soul Providence| |Mastering |- |1995 |Spirit of the Eagle|Various artists |Mastering |- |2005 |Standard Issue| |Mastering |- |1978 |Stižemo|Laza & Ipe |Cutting engineer |- |2006 |Stranger on the Sofa| |Mastering |- |2005 |StripBonus tracks | |Digital remastering |- |1997 | |Nicole |Mastering |- |2006 |Superbi| |Mastering |- |1996 |S'Wonderful| |Engineer, mastering |- |2004 |Thank You for the Years| |Mastering |- |2007 |Standard version |Second Person |Mastering |- |2007 |Limited Edition version |Second Person |Mastering |- |1977 |UK version, [UK | |Remastering |- |1979 |US Version, US | |Remastering |- |1995 | |Vanessa-Mae |Mastering |- |2007 | |Deep Purple |Mastering |- |2007 |DVD |Deep Purple |Mastering |- |2004 |Timeless: Daniel O'Donnell and Mary Duff| |Mastering |- |1997