Available to hire
Hi, I’m James Donahue, a Berklee-trained Audio Engineer with a passion for capturing crisp, expressive sounds across genres. I blend analog recording techniques with modern digital workflows to deliver high-quality builds for artists, producers, and game and film projects.
Based in California, I’ve engineered sessions for artists like John Mayer, Billie Eilish, and Steve Lacy, produced and mixed independent releases, and scored film music. I enjoy collaborating with directors, game developers, and fellow musicians to shape sonic storytelling.
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Work Experience
Audio Engineer at Mobile Sessions LLC
August 1, 2025 - August 26, 2025Mitigated external noise using microphone placement and noise reduction software such as iZotope Rx. Educated artists on analogue recording techniques, audio signal flow, gain staging, and digital deliverables. Engineered vocal, keys, and guitar overdubs, mixed sessions, and participated in production meetings using Avid Pro Tools.
Assistant Engineer/Runner at Henson Recording Studios
February 1, 2025 - August 26, 2025Set up studios for high-profile clients, including John Mayer, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Steve Lacy. Managed front desk duties such as answering phones, renting equipment, and delegating tasks to runners. Created a comprehensive lightbulb guide and replaced all incandescent bulbs with LEDs throughout the studio.
Recording Engineer (Berklee Presents) at Berklee College of Music
May 1, 2023 - August 26, 2025Assisted the live sound team in mixing shows at the Berklee Performance Center and MGM music hall. Managed file storage for recordings and playback of stems during live shows.
Lab Operations Assistant at Berklee College of Music
May 1, 2023 - August 26, 2025Demonstrated proper soldering techniques applied to XLR cables, microphones, speakers, and circuits. Taught DAW workflow, integration of hardware and software, analog and digital routing to students and peers.
Film Score Composer at So Good Productions
January 1, 2024 - PresentComposed film scores for three short films: "The Warrior, The Bride and The Devil," "Trip," and "The Ant." Collaborated closely with director and producer to record, edit, and mix scores.
Audio Engineer at Mobile Sessions LLC
August 31, 2025 - September 9, 2025Mitigated external noise using microphone placement and noise reduction software; educated artists on analogue recording techniques, audio signal flow, gain staging, and digital deliverables; engineered vocal, keys and guitar overdubs, and mix sessions in Avid Pro Tools.
Assistant Engineer/Runner at Henson Recording Studios
February 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025Set up studios for clients such as John Mayer, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Steve Lacy, and more; performed front desk duties including answering phones and equipment rental; delegated tasks to runners; created a lightbulb guide and replaced incandescent bulbs with LEDs.
Recording Engineer (Berklee Presents) at Berklee College of Music
May 1, 2023 - September 9, 2025Assisted the live sound team in mixing shows at the Berklee Performance Center and MGM Music Hall; managed file storage for recordings and playback of stems during shows.
Lab Operations Assistant at Berklee College of Music
May 1, 2023 - September 9, 2025Demonstrated soldering technique for XLR cables, microphones, speakers and circuits; taught DAW workflow, integration of hardware and software, analog and digital routing.
Audio Engineer at Mobile Sessions LLC
August 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025Mitigated external noise using microphone placement and noise reduction software like iZotope Rx; Educated artists on analogue recording techniques, audio signal flow, gain staging, and digital deliverables; Engineered vocal, keys and guitar overdubs, mix sessions, production meetings in Avid Pro Tools
Assistant Engineer/ Runner at Henson Recording Studios
February 1, 2025 - September 9, 2025Setup studios for clients such as John Mayer, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Steve Lacy, and more; Fulfilled front desk duties: answering phones, renting equipment, delegating tasks to runners; Created a lightbulb guide for the entire studio and replaced all incandescent bulbs with LEDs
Berklee Presents: Recording Engineer at Berklee College of Music
May 1, 2023 - September 9, 2025Assisted the live sound team in mixing shows at the Berklee Performance Center and MGM music hall; Managed file storage for recordings, and playback of stems during shows
Lab Operations Assistant at Berklee College of Music
May 1, 2023 - September 9, 2025Demonstrated proper soldering technique for application in XLR cables, microphones, speakers and circuits; Taught DAW workflow, integration of hardware and software, analog and digital routing
Film Score Composition at So Good Productions
January 1, 2024 - PresentComposed scores for three short films The Warrior, The Bride and The Devil, Trip and The Ant; Collaborated with the director and producer to record, edit and mix the score
Wadhams Recording Sessions at Wadhams Recording Sessions
May 1, 2023 - PresentShadowed Ken Scott while he produced a single by Clean Cut Kid at Abbey Road Studios; Observed Ethan Johns and Kevin Killen record a Black-Eyed Dogs album at Real World Studios
Independent Record Production (Acoustic, Pop, Psychedelic, Orchestral, Rock) at Independent Record Production
February 1, 2022 - PresentProduced, recorded and mixed 18 singles for artists such as Josh Brough, Kensington Watts, Yami (Yamster) Schwartz, Reese Nobile, Keaton Christopher, Joey Dalton & The Way Home, Zoe Sparks
Sound Design for Video Game at Independent
September 1, 2021 - PresentArranged and recorded the sound effects and foley for the game Catch Me If You Can; Collaborated with University of Southern California game developers and other musicians to record parts.
Education
Bachelor of Music Degree at Berklee College of Music
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2023Bachelor of Music Degree at Berklee College of Music
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2023Bachelor of Music Degree in Production & Engineering (Minors in Acoustics and Electronics, and Commercial Record Production) at Berklee College of Music
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2023Qualifications
Berklee World Tour Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - August 26, 2025Wadhams Production Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - August 26, 2025Berklee World Tour Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - September 9, 2025Wadhams Production Scholarship
January 11, 2030 - September 9, 2025Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Education, Gaming, Professional Services, Software & Internet
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
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