# Rob Chiarelli

Rob Chiarelli (born January 13, 1963) is an American record producer, mix engineer, musician, published author and multiple Grammy Award winner. Widely recognized as a music producer for Will Smith and Men in Black II (2002), Chiarelli's work appears on numerous gold and platinum albums and motion picture soundtracks, including twenty Grammy winners.

## Early life

Chiarelli was born in Newton, Massachusetts, and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts. He started playing the drums when he was ten years old. By junior high school, he was performing in school bands and participating in the Massachusetts All-State Jazz Ensemble and the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. By age 17, he had received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (twice) and numerous awards from the International Association of Jazz Educators (formerly the National Association for Jazz Education, NAJE). Chiarelli graduated from Waltham High School in 1981 and attended the University of Miami School of Music on a scholarship, where he studied under the direction of Don Coffman, Fred Wickstrom and Vince Maggio. He formed his own band Inferno which recorded with producer Gary Vandy and included members Tim Mitchell (guitar), Dag Kolsrud (keyboards), Rick Margitza (sax), Mike Mangini (drums), Ed Calle (sax), Mike Lambert (trumpet) and Jeff Miller (keyboards)

## Career

After moving to Los Angeles, California in 1989, Chiarelli joined Paramount Recording Studios as an assistant engineer and quickly worked his way up to a first chair recording and mix engineer. His professional breakthrough came with legendary producer Jay King while working with the Grammy-winning R&B group Club Nouveau. Impressed with Chiarelli's work, King asked him to mix the entire Nouveau album, which reached #12 on the Billboard R&B Charts. While working on Club Nouveau at Aire LA Studios in Glendale, California, Chiarelli met mix engineer/mentor Craig Burbidge and worked on numerous hit records from artists such as Calloway, Chuckii Booker and Teddy Pendergrass.
In 1991 Chiarelli founded Final Mix, Inc., a music production company specializing in contemporary music and artist development. Chiarelli was also CEO of Metro Beat Records, a joint venture with Semaphore Records from 1993 until 1996. In 1997, Chiarelli formed 3.6 Records, a joint venture record label distributed by BMG/Red Ant and located in West Hollywood, CA.
In 2008, Chiarelli co-founded Gauge Precision Instruments, Inc. (originally Gauge, Inc.), a manufacturer of audio electronics and accessories for professional and consumer markets. In 2013, Final Mix, Inc. expanded to include music software development.

### Mixing and production

As a mix engineer and record producer, Chiarelli has worked with such well known artists as Will Smith, Christina Aguilera, LeAnn Rimes, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Keiko Matsui, Coolio, Ray Charles, American Idol, Pink, Johnny Mathis, Paula Abdul, Diana Ross, En Vogue, Ice Cube, The Four Tops, Yolanda Adams, The Temptations, 3LW, K-Ci & JoJo, Madonna, Aaliyah, Hilary Duff, Jesse McCartney, Ricky Martin, The Corrs, Luther Vandross, Erin Boheme and Charlie Wilson.
His recordings have been nominated numerous times for Grammy Awards including Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Mary Mary and Yolanda Adams.

### As a musician

Chiarelli is a classically trained musician; his principal instruments include both the electric bass and orchestral percussion. As a musician his work can be heard on the recordings of Keiko Matsui, Will Smith, Hilary Duff, Waldemar Bastos, Jesse McCartney, Tatayana Ali, Teddy Pendergrass, Ray Charles, Jennifer Paige and The Corrs.
As a songwriter his work has appeared on Erin Boheme (Concord Records), Sunz of Man (BMG/SONY) and on the motion picture soundtrack of Love Stinks, a 1999 comedy starring French Stewart, Bridgette Wilson, Bill Bellamy and Tyra Banks.

### Publishing

In 2009, Chiarelli's first book The Electric Bass Bible: Volume 1 Dexterity Exercises was published by Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc., a division of Hal Leonard.

### Clinician and speaker

Chiarelli has been a featured speaker & clinician at Berklee College of Music, University of Illinois, NAMM, TAXI, ASCAP, The Grammy Museum, FSU (Florida State University), MEIEA (Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association), NXNE (North by Northeast Music Convention), Los Angeles Recording School, The International Digital Rights Foundation, Hank Shocklee's Remix Hotel, California Lawyers for the Arts, The Trebas Institute & The Sacramento Music Conference.

## Societies and guilds

* NARAS
* Audio Engineering Society
* AFM Local 47 Musicians Union
* Guitar Center Pro Advisory Board
* Commissioner (2010-2011 Westlake Pony Baseball)
* Board of Director for The Great Leap Foundation

## Selected discography

* 1989: No Borders by Keiko Matsui - Engineer
* 1990: Wake Up by Shalamar - Mixing
* 1991: Night Waltz by Keiko Matsui - Engineer
* 1992: Cherry Blossom by Keiko Matsui - Engineer, Mixing, Programming, Drum Programming
* 1993: A Little More Magic by Teddy Pendergrass - Drum Programming, Engineer
* 1993: My World by Ray Charles - Drum Programming, Mixing, Drums
* 1993: Runaway Love (EP) by En Vogue - Mixing, Engineer
* 1993: Lethal Injection by Ice Cube - Mixing
* 1993: Doll by Keiko Matsui - Drum Programming, Programming
* 1994: The Lead and How to Swing It by Tom Jones - Mixing
* 1994: Mind, Body & Song by Jade - Engineer, Mixing, Remixing
* 1995: Do You Wanna Ride? by Adina Howard - Mixing
* 1995: For Lovers Only by The Temptations - Mixing
* 1996: 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New) by Coolio - Mixing
* 1996: Dream Walk by Keiko Matsui - Drum Programming
* 1996: Mouse House: Disney's Dance Mixes by Disney - Programming, Arranger, Mixing, Engineer, Producer for "Colors of the Wind," "So This Is Love," and "Under the Sea"
* 1996: Most Requested Songs by Benny Mardones - Mixing, Drum Programming
* 1996: I'm Movin' On by CeCe Peniston - Mixing
* 1997: Waterbed Hev by Heavy D - Engineer, Mixing
* 1997: Greatest Hits by Ambrosia - Mixing
* 1997: Love Always by K-Ci & JoJo - Mixing
* 1997: Much Love by Shola Ama - Mixing
* 1997: Forever by Bobby Brown - Mixing
* 1997: "Men in Black" by Will Smith - writing/arrangement
* 1997: Big Willie Style by Will Smith - Mixing, Drum Programming
* 1998: Talk on Corners by The Corrs - Mixing
* 1998: The Last Shall Be First" [Clean] by Sunz of Man - Engineer, Producer, Mixing
* 1998: Jennifer Paige by Jennifer Paige - Drum Programming, Remixing
* 1998: Kiss the Sky by Tatyana Ali - Programming, Keyboards, Mixing
* 1998: Naked Without You by Taylor Dayne - Mixing
* 1998: Mi Respuesta by Laura Pausini - Mixing
* 1998: They Never Saw Me Coming' by TQ - Mixing
* 1999: Willennium by Will Smith - Engineer, Mixing
* 1999: Christina Aguilera by Christina Aguilera
* 1999: "Ricky Martin" by Ricky Martin - Engineer
* 1999: Ghetto Hymns by Dave Hollister - Mixing, Engineer
* 1999: "It's Real" by K-Ci & JoJo - Mixing
* 1999: "Wild Wild West" [US CD Single]" by Will Smith - Mixing, Engineer
* 2000: "Aijuswanaseing" by Musiq Soulchild - Mixing
* 2000: "Love & Freedom" by BeBe Winans - Mixing
* 2000: "Remix Plus" by Christina Aguilera - Mixing
* 2000: "Sooner or Later" by BBMak - Mixing
* 2001: "Best of the Corrs" by The Corrs - Mixing, Remixing
* 2001: "Take You Out" by Luther Vandross - Mixing
* 2002: "Black Suits/Nod Ya Head" by Will Smith - Producer, Remix Producer, Mixing, Engineer
* 2002: "Born to Reign" by Will Smith - Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Guitar, Bass
* 2002: "Emotional" by K-Ci & JoJo - Mixing
* 2002: "From the Inside" by Laura Pausini - Mixing
* 2002: "Greatest Hits" by Will Smith - Producer, Remix Producer, Engineer, Mixing
* 2002: "Twisted Angel" by LeAnn Rimes - Mixing, Engineer
* 2003: "American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs" by Various Artists - Mixing
* 2003: "Best of the Corrs/Unplugged" by The Corrs - Remixing, Mixing
* 2003: "Metamorphosis" by Hilary Duff - Mixing
* 2003: "Soulful" by Ruben Studdard - Mixing
* 2003: Cherry Blossom by Keiko Matsui - writing/arranging
* 2004: "American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics" by Various Artists - Mixing
* 2004: "Come Clean" by Hilary Duff - Mixing
* 2004: "Little Voice" by Hilary Duff - Mixing, Remixing
* 2004: "You Made Me" by Josh Todd - Mixing
* 2005: "20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection" by The Four Tops - Engineer
* 2005: "Any Other Girl" by Temmora - Mixing
* 2005: "Live: Beautiful Soul Tour" by Jesse McCartney - Mixing
* 2005: "Ultimate Aaliyah" by Aaliyah - Mixing
* 2006: "Christina Aguilera/Stripped" by Christina Aguilera - Mixing
* 2006: "What Love Is" by Erin Boheme - Composer
* 2007: "Collaborations" by Jill Scott - Mixing
* 2007: "Naked Brothers Band [Bonus Tracks]" by The Naked Brothers Band - Mixing
* 2007: The Best of Me by Yolanda Adams
* 2007: Moyo by Keiko Matsui
* 2008: The Sound by Mary Mary
* 2008: Bold Right Life by Kierra "Kiki” Sheard
* 2008: Best of Hilary Duff by Hilary Duff
* 2008: "In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2" by Various Artists - Mixing
* 2009: "Skinny Jeanz and a Mic" by New Boyz - Mixing
* 2009: "We Can Work It Out"
* 2010: "Big Time Rush" by Big Time Rush - Vocal Engineer, Mixing
* 2010: "Charice" by Charice - Mixing
* 2010: "Just Charlie" by Charlie Wilson - Mixing
* 2010: Too Cool To Care by New Boyz
* 2010: The Road by Keiko Matsui
* 2010: Kinanda by Stella Mwangi
* 2011: Hello Fear by Kirk Franklin - Mixing
* 2011: HurtLoveBox by Mark Ballas - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
* 2011: "Stereo Typical" by Rizzle Kicks - Mixing
* 2011: Something Big by Mary Mary
* 2011: Shine On! Volume One
* 2011: "American Idol: 10th Anniversary: The Hits, Vol. 1" by Various Artists - Mixing
* 2011: "Road..." by Keiko Matsui - Mixing, Engineer
* 2011: "Too Cool to Care" by New Boyz - Guitar (Bass), Pro-Tools, Mixing, Producer
* 2011: Stereo Typical by Rizzle Kicks - Mixing
* 2012: "Chasing Tigers" by Mim Grey - Mixing
* 2012: "Classics of My Soul" by Waldemar Bastos - Mixing
* 2012: "FYI" by Stefanie Scott - Producer
* 2012: "Go Get It" by Mary Mary - Mixing
* 2012: "Michael Lynche" by Michael Lynche - Composer, Engineer, Instrumentation, Mixing, Producer
* 2013: "Love, Charlie" by Charlie Wilson - Mixing
* 2013: "Roaring 20s" by Rizzle Kicks - Mixing
* 2013: "The Best Man" by Holiday - Mixing
* 2013: "Roaring 20s" by Rizzle Kicks - Mixing
* 2014: "Jazz Funk & Soul by Lorber Loeb & Hart" - Mixing
* 2014: "Foreign Land by 3 Winans Brothers" Winans family - Mixing
* 2014: Unconditional Love by Ruben Studdard - Mixing
* 2014: Chicago Winds...The Saga Continues by Dave Hollister - Mixing, Engineer
* 2014: "Game Changer" by Johnny Gill - Mixing
* 2014: "Fast Forward" by The Walls Group - Mixing
* 2014: "Help" by Erica Campbell (musician) - Mixing
* 2015: "Say Hep Hep by Dessy Di Lauro" - Mixing
* 2015: "Summer Time Feeling (Single)" by Jermaine Jackson - Mixing
* 2015: Life Music: Stage Two by Jonathan McReynolds - Mixing
* 2015: Losing My Religion by Kirk Franklin - Mixing
* 2015: Help 2.0 by Erica Campbell (musician) - Mixing
* 2016: Think About These Things by Charles Jenkins - Mixing
* 2017: In It to Win It by Charlie Wilson - Composer, Mixing, Producer
* 2017: Introducing Stokley by Stokley - Mixing
* 2017: Koryn Hawthorne by Koryn Hawthorne - Mixing
* 2017: Well Done by Erica Campbell - Mixing
* 2018: Hiding Place by Tori Kelly - Mixing
* 2018: Make Room by Jonathan McReynolds - Mixing
* 2019: Long Live Love by Kirk Franklin - Mixing
* 2021: Mother Nature by Angélique Kidjo - Mixing
* 2021: Finished by Tamela Mann - Mixing
* 2021: Live in LA by Jonny X Mali - Mixing
* 2022: New Day by Blanca feat. Jekalyn Carr - Mixing
* 2022: Kingdom Book One by Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music - Mixing
* 2022: Kingdom Book One (Deluxe) by Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music - Mixing
* 2022: Clarity by DOE - Mixing
* 2022: Reasons by Lindsey Webster - Mixing
* 2022: I Need You Now (Remix) by Smokie Norful - Mixing
* 2023: All Things by Kirk Franklin - Mixing
* 2023: My Truth by Jonathan McReynolds - Mixing
* 2023: Praise Jah In The Moonlight by YG Marley - Mixing
* 2023: Father’s Day by Kirk Franklin - Mixing
* 2024: Note to Self by DOE - Mixing
* 2024: Blue Eclipse by Blue Lab Beats - Mixing

### Soundtracks

* 1992: "Menace II Society" - Original soundtrack - Engineer, Mixing
* 1992: "Deep Cover" - Original soundtrack - Engineer, Mixing
* 1994: "Above the Rim" - Original soundtrack - Mixing, Mixing Engineer
* 1994: "Street Fighter" - Original soundtrack - Engineer
* 1994: "Mi Vida Loca" - Original soundtrack - Mixing
* 1996: "Sunset Park" - Original soundtrack - Mixing
* 1999: "Love Stinks" - Original soundtrack - Producer
* 2000: "Love & Basketball" - Original soundtrack - Mixing
* 2002: "All About the Benjamins" - Original soundtrack - Mixing
* 2002: "Men in Black II" - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Mixing, Producer
* 2002: American Idol (season 1)
* 2003: American Idol (season 2)
* 2004: "Cinderella Story" - Original soundtrack - Mixing
* 2006: "MTV Presents Laguna Beach: Summer Can Last Forever" - Original soundtrack - Mixing
* 2011: "American Idol: 10th Anniversary: The Hits, Vol. 1" by Various Artists - Mixing
* 2011: "The Best Man (Motion Picture)" by Holiday - Mixing

## Grammy Awards

| Year | Category | Song/Album | Field | Result |
| 1996 | Best Engineered Album (non-classical) | Q's Jook Joint | Production & Engineering | Won (Quincy Jones) |
| 1997 | Best Rap Solo Performance | Men In Black | Rap | Won (Will Smith) |
| 2000 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Mountain High, Valley Low | R&B | Won (Yolanda Adams) |
| 2000 | Best New Artist | Christina Aguilera | General | Won (Christina Aguilera) |
| 2009 | Best Gospel Album | The Sound | R&B | Nominated (Mary Mary) |
| 2009 | Best Gospel Song | Mary Mary | R&B | Won (Mary Mary) |
| 2009 | Best Gospel Album | Bold Right Life | R&B | Nominated (Kierra Sheard) |
| 2010 | Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album | Let It Be Me: Mathis in Nashville | R&B | Nominated (Johnny Mathis) |
| 2011 | Best Gospel Album | Something Big (album) | R&B | Nominated (Mary Mary) |
| 2012 | Best Gospel Album | Hello Fear | R&B | Won (Kirk Franklin) |
| 2013 | Best Gospel Song | Go Get It (album) | R&B | Won (Mary Mary) |
| 2014 | Best Gospel Song | A Little More Jesus | R&B | Nominated (Mary Mary) |
| 2014 | Best Gospel Song | I Believe | R&B | Nominated (Charlie Wilson) |
| 2015 | Best Gospel Song | Help | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Mary Mary) |
| 2015 | Best Contemporary Instrumental Album | Jazz, Funk, Soul | Contemporary Instrumental | Nominated (Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb, Everette Harp) |
| 2015 | Best Gospel Album | Help | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Mary Mary) |
| 2016 | Best Gospel Song | Wanna Be Happy | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Kirk Franklin) |
| 2016 | Best Gospel Album | Life Music: Stage Two | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Jonathan McReynolds) |
| 2017 | Best Gospel Album | Losing My Religion | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Kirk Franklin) |
| 2018 | Best Gospel Song | Too Hard Not To | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Tina Campbell (musician)) |
| 2018 | Best Gospel Song | My Life | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (The Walls Group) |
| 2019 | Best R&B Song | Made For Love | R&B | Nominated (Charlie Wilson (singer)) (Lalah Hathaway) |
| 2019 | Best Gospel Song | Cycles | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Jonathan McReynolds) |
| 2019 | Best Gospel Song | Never Alone | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Tori Kelly) |
| 2019 | Best Gospel Album | A Great Work | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Brian Courtney Wilson) |
| 2019 | Best Gospel Album | The Other Side | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (The Walls Group) |
| 2019 | Best Gospel Album | Make Room | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Jonathan McReynolds) |
| 2019 | Best Gospel Album | Hiding Place | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Tori Kelly) |
| 2020 | Best Gospel Song | Love Theory | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Kirk Franklin) |
| 2020 | Best Gospel Album | Long, Live, Love | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Kirk Franklin) |
| 2021 | Best Gospel Song | Movin' On | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Jonathan McReynolds) |
| 2022 | Best Gospel Album | Live In LA | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Jonny X Mali) |
| 2022 | Best Global Music Album | Mother Nature | Global Music | Won (Angélique Kidjo) |
| 2023 | Best Contemporary Christian Song | So Good | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (DOE) |
| 2023 | Best Gospel Album | Clarity | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (DOE) |
| 2023 | Best Gospel Song | When I Pray | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (DOE) |
| 2023 | Best Gospel Song | Kingdom | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin) |
| 2023 | Best Contemporary Christian Song | Fear Is Not My Future | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin) |
| 2023 | Best Gospel Album | Kingdom: Book One Deluxe | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin) |
| 2024 | Best Gospel Song | All Things | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Kirk Franklin) |
| 2024 | Best Gospel Album | My Truth | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Jonathan McReynolds) |
| 2024 | Best Gospel Song | All Things | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (Kirk Franklin) |
| 2025 | Best Contemporary Christian Song | Holy Hands | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (DOE) |
| 2025 | Best Contemporary Christian Album | Heart of a Human | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Won (DOE) |
| 2025 | Best Gospel Album | Father's Day | Gospel & Contemporary Christian | Nominated (Kirk Franklin) |

## Publishing history

* The Electric Bass Bible: Volume 1 Dexterity Exercises (2009)