January 7th 2026: A lifelong passion for sound has shaped the career of German engineer and producer Ralf Christian Mayer, whose journey began with cassette recorders at just 13 years old.
By the mid-1980s he was already recording his own band and quickly became the person friends turned to when they wanted their music captured.
His professional break came when he met Wolfgang Schmidt, who invited him to work in his studio. This opportunity allowed Mayer to develop his craft, first as a recording engineer and later as a producer. In 1990 he secured his first major production with Sony Music, a milestone that paved the way for collaborations with some of Germany’s most recognisable artists including Herbert Grönemeyer, Michael Patrick Kelly, Mark Forster, and Clueso.
“I had heard about Prism Sound’s quality early on, but always hesitated a little because of the price,” Mayer recalls. “Then I borrowed an ADA8 and realized that it was absolutely worth the investment.”
Today, Prism Sound converters are central to his workflow. He uses them for both recording and integrating analogue equipment during mixing. The Prism Sound DREAM-ADA has become a trusted part of his setup, delivering exceptional results across a wide variety of projects, from classical recordings to full pop and rock productions.
“It gives me confidence that nothing is lost in conversion. I work very hard to shape sound the way I want it, and I do not want to make compromises,” he explains.
Mayer divides his time between his own workspace and well-known studios such as Hansa Studio in Berlin. His career has been filled with memorable moments, including a production in Spain with Clueso, where recordings were unexpectedly interrupted by the sound of turkeys in the background. “There are countless stories like that,” he laughs.
As an engineer and producer who has seen audio technology evolve dramatically, Mayer has adapted while maintaining his focus on quality and emotion. “I used to process everything purely analogue. It took me a long time to adjust to the idea that almost everything can now be done digitally. The emotion, however, still comes from sound quality. Today I am glad that I can offer both worlds,” he says.
Looking ahead, Mayer is restructuring his studio to create a more streamlined setup that allows for faster and more intuitive work. Before tackling this project, however, he is taking some well-earned time off with a three-week holiday in Corsica.
For Mayer, Prism Sound remains an essential partner in his creative process, ensuring accuracy, transparency and reliability at every stage.
