Paul Special

Paul Special is an Adjunct Professor of Music at City College of New York (CCNY), where he has contributed to the design and operation of the Sonic Arts Center. His professional career spans over three decades in audio engineering, live sound, and studio production. He is a Gold & Platinum award-winning music mixer, renowned for his work with artists like Jeff Beck, Stone Temple Pilots, and Billy Joel, as well as high-profile TV broadcasts such as ABC’s Good Morning America Summer Concert Series and the Nashville Star.

As Chief Engineer of the Manhattan Producer’s Alliance (MPA), Paul pioneered innovative workflows for multi-platform studios and led the "OS X Project" to transition pro audio systems to modern operating systems. His company, Special Audio Services, has designed studios for Masterdisk, Record Plant Remote, and Oxygen Media. Paul’s technical expertise includes fiber-optic audio systems (e.g., LightViper), 96kHz live recording, and complex multi-channel setups for venues like Bryant Park and Times Square.

He has taught workshops on digital audio workstations (DAWs) and post-production techniques at the MPA, emphasizing collaboration and cutting-edge technology. His Grammy-nominated work on Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Honoring Les Paul highlights his ability to blend live performance with studio precision. Paul’s contributions to both academic audio education and commercial music production have made him a pivotal figure in New York’s music industry.