Sound Begins with Listening. I have spent my career exploring sound from multiple perspectives—as a recording and mixing engineer, producer, live sound engineer, educator, consultant, and technologist. My journey has taken me from digital musical instrument development at Roland Corporation to world-class recording studios, concert venues, game productions, universities, and audio system design projects throughout the United States and Japan. Over the years, I have worked on projects ranging from commercial music production and orchestral recording to live concerts, audio systems integration, and higher education. I have had the privilege of collaborating with internationally recognized artists including Bill Champlin, Tom Scott, Ray Parker Jr., Larry Dunn, and Shanice, as well as contributing to major video game productions and educational initiatives. I enjoy helping artists, organizations, and students connect with sound through technology, creativity, and listening. My cross-disciplinary experience has shaped a systems-oriented approach to problem solving and a belief that meaningful solutions often emerge by connecting perspectives that are rarely viewed together. Today, I remain passionate about lifelong learning and continue to explore emerging technologies, including audio networking and AI applications for music and education. Areas of focus: • Recording & Mixing • Music Production • Live Sound & A1 Operations • Audio Systems Design & Integration • Game Audio & Orchestral Recording • Higher Education & Professional Training • Audio Technology & Innovation I believe that the foundation of audio is not equipment—the foundation of audio is listening. Exploring Sound from Every Angle.

Kenji Nakai

Sound Begins with Listening. I have spent my career exploring sound from multiple perspectives—as a recording and mixing engineer, producer, live sound engineer, educator, consultant, and technologist. My journey has taken me from digital musical instrument development at Roland Corporation to world-class recording studios, concert venues, game productions, universities, and audio system design projects throughout the United States and Japan. Over the years, I have worked on projects ranging from commercial music production and orchestral recording to live concerts, audio systems integration, and higher education. I have had the privilege of collaborating with internationally recognized artists including Bill Champlin, Tom Scott, Ray Parker Jr., Larry Dunn, and Shanice, as well as contributing to major video game productions and educational initiatives. I enjoy helping artists, organizations, and students connect with sound through technology, creativity, and listening. My cross-disciplinary experience has shaped a systems-oriented approach to problem solving and a belief that meaningful solutions often emerge by connecting perspectives that are rarely viewed together. Today, I remain passionate about lifelong learning and continue to explore emerging technologies, including audio networking and AI applications for music and education. Areas of focus: • Recording & Mixing • Music Production • Live Sound & A1 Operations • Audio Systems Design & Integration • Game Audio & Orchestral Recording • Higher Education & Professional Training • Audio Technology & Innovation I believe that the foundation of audio is not equipment—the foundation of audio is listening. Exploring Sound from Every Angle.

Available to hire

Sound Begins with Listening.

I have spent my career exploring sound from multiple perspectives—as a recording and mixing engineer, producer, live sound engineer, educator, consultant, and technologist.

My journey has taken me from digital musical instrument development at Roland Corporation to world-class recording studios, concert venues, game productions, universities, and audio system design projects throughout the United States and Japan.

Over the years, I have worked on projects ranging from commercial music production and orchestral recording to live concerts, audio systems integration, and higher education. I have had the privilege of collaborating with internationally recognized artists including Bill Champlin, Tom Scott, Ray Parker Jr., Larry Dunn, and Shanice, as well as contributing to major video game productions and educational initiatives.

I enjoy helping artists, organizations, and students connect with sound through technology, creativity, and listening. My cross-disciplinary experience has shaped a systems-oriented approach to problem solving and a belief that meaningful solutions often emerge by connecting perspectives that are rarely viewed together.

Today, I remain passionate about lifelong learning and continue to explore emerging technologies, including audio networking and AI applications for music and education.

Areas of focus:
• Recording & Mixing
• Music Production
• Live Sound & A1 Operations
• Audio Systems Design & Integration
• Game Audio & Orchestral Recording
• Higher Education & Professional Training
• Audio Technology & Innovation

I believe that the foundation of audio is not equipment—the foundation of audio is listening.

Exploring Sound from Every Angle.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert

Language

English
Fluent
Japanese
Fluent

Work Experience

Digital Music Instrument Designer at Roland Corporation
March 16, 1981 - July 20, 1984
Assistant Engineer at Studio Somewhere
July 23, 1984 - March 29, 1985
Assistant Engineer / Principal Engineer at Sound Ateliier
April 1, 1985 - September 28, 1990
Assistant Engineer at Ocean Way Recording Studios
August 22, 1991 - October 4, 1993
Assistant Engineer at Andora Studios
October 4, 1993 - May 31, 1996
Assistant Engineer / Principal Engineer at The Complex
May 31, 1996 - June 10, 1998
Independent Recording Engineer / Mixer / Producer at Sonic Lodge Studios ( Owner )
June 9, 1998 - Present
Live Sound Engineer ( FOH, A1, A2 ) at Sonic Lodge Studios (Owner)
August 1, 1996 - Present
Educator /Guest Lecture at Tokyo University of the Arts, Toho Gakuen Technical College, UC Colorado, Denver
July 15, 1996 - Present
Sound System Designer / Installer / Consultant at Living Faith Christian Church, Perfect Liberty Church, Higashi Honganji Temple
June 17, 2002 - Present
Independent Professional Practice at Self-employed / Independent Practice
January 1, 1996 - Present
Providing professional services in recording and music production, live sound reinforcement, audio systems design and integration, technical consulting, and education throughout the United States and Japan. Projects have included commercial recordings and music production, concerts and theatrical productions, game audio and orchestral recording, audio systems integration projects, university education and guest lectures, and workshops and corporate training programs. Continue to explore emerging technologies, including audio networking and AI applications for music and education.
Owner • Recording & Mixing Engineer • Producer at Sonic Lodge Studios
January 1, 1999 - Present
Owner and operator providing recording, mixing, and production services at Sonic Lodge Studios in Hollywood, CA.
Head of Audio | Live Sound Engineer at Living Faith Christian Church
January 1, 2022 - Present
Head of Audio and Live Sound Engineer overseeing FOH and A1 operations for church productions and events.
A1 Engineer at Zipper Concert Hall at The Colburn School
January 1, 2023 - Present
A1 Engineer for live performances and events at Zipper Concert Hall.
Head of Audio (Contract) at Temple Israel of Hollywood
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2011
Head of Audio; contract role overseeing audio operations for services and events.
Head of Audio (Contract) at Zoe Center
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2009
Head of Audio; contract role overseeing audio operations at Zoe Center.
Digital Musical Instrument Development at Roland Corporation
January 1, 1981 - December 31, 1985
Involved in digital musical instrument development, product development and related technology initiatives.
Assistant Engineer at Studio Somewhere
January 1, 1985 - December 31, 1987
Assistant Engineer in Tokyo studio environment.
Resident Engineer at Sound Atelier
January 1, 1987 - December 31, 1990
Resident Engineer in Tokyo.
Assistant Engineer at Ocean Way Recording
January 1, 1991 - December 31, 1993
Assistant Engineer in Los Angeles.
Staff Engineer at The Complex
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1998
Staff Engineer in Los Angeles.

Education

Architecture Design at Technical College of Aichi, Japan
April 2, 1979 - March 20, 1981
Coursework included: • Structural Engineering • Structural Analysis • Structural Design • Civil Engineering • Architectural Design • Technical Drawing
Music at Los Angeles Valley College Los Angeles, California
January 29, 2007 - June 23, 2010
• Tonal Harmony • Composition • Arranging • Advanced Musicianship

Qualifications

DANTE Level 3 Certification
April 13, 2020 - June 23, 2026
AI for Audio and Music certification
May 11, 2026 - June 23, 2026
G.A.N.G. Award - Best Soundtrack ( Dragon's Dogma )
September 14, 2015 - June 23, 2026
Dante Level 3 Certification (Audinate)
January 11, 2030 - June 24, 2026
AI for Audio and Music Certification
January 11, 2030 - June 24, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Gaming, Professional Services, Computers & Electronics, Other