Studio in the Texas Hill Country. Mobile Recording Anywhere.
Based in Wimberley, TX. Our mobile Neve rig travels to Austin, Fredericksburg, Dallas, Houston and beyond.
7x Grammy-nominated recording & mixing services — worldwide delivery
Book a SessionWhat We Bring to the Session.
Premium recording, mixing, and mastering services crafted with decades of experience
Mobile Recording
Capture authentic performances in your preferred environment. Portable studio setup with professional-grade recording systems.
32 channels of Rupert Neve Designs RMP-D8 Class A preamps with mastering-grade converters — at your location, on your terms.
Stereo Mixing & Mastering
Precision stereo mixing with hybrid hi-fi analog/digital chain along with atomic clocking.
Dolby Atmos Mixing
Immersive spatial audio mixing for next-generation listening experiences. Create dimensional mixes that translate across platforms.
Start Your Atmos Mix →Every project is quoted individually. Tell us about yours.
The Studio. The Engineer.
Recording Studio in Wimberley & Austin, TX — We Come to You
Mercenary Magnetics is a recording studio based in Wimberley, Texas — just outside Austin — built around one idea: artists make their best work in the spaces where they feel most comfortable. Whether that's your home studio, rehearsal room, living room, or a venue stage anywhere in the Austin area, we bring world-class recording gear and decades of experience directly to you.
Chris Bell — Founder & Lead Engineer
Chris Bell is a Grammy-nominated recording and mixing engineer with over 30 years of experience in professional audio. He has worked with some of the industry's most respected artists, from Grammy-nominated songwriters to multi-platinum acts. A longtime member of the Recording Academy, Chris understands what it takes to deliver award-worthy recordings. At the core of what we do is a simple commitment: your music deserves the best.
Behind the Glass.
An ongoing series from our sessions. Pick a record to see how it was made.
Katrina Cain Session
Uncle Lucius Session
Dylan Gossett Session
What Our Clients Say
5.0 ★★★★★ on Google · 5 Reviews
★★★★★Chris Bell is AMAZING & I plan to use him again and again. This is now my second time working with him and he never lets me down. Super thorough, cares about the overall productive and goes above and beyond to make the overall sound exceed my expectations. Def work w him if you can!!Lauren Diamond
★★★★★Mercenary Magnetics is now on my list of favorites! Chris has such an amazing ear. He also has the gift of listening to the artist and their intentions. It was great working with him, he brought out little things that elevated the songs more. His presence is also so peaceful. I'll definitely be working with him again.Lisa Morales
★★★★★I've recorded several musical projects with Chris Bell from vintage jazz and western to hard rock. Everything sounds great after he has captured the sound and the vibe. His attitude is very positive and supportive but he is also patient and thorough in his approach to every session.Whit Smith
★★★★★One of the most professional, down to earth and knowledgeable, mixing engineers I've had the pleasure to work with. Chris has handled all the Atmos mixing for my last two releases and he will be doing any of my future releases. Highly recommend.Nakia
★★★★★Chris is very easy to work with and extremely professional. Can't wait to do more projects together.Jordan Young
Recognition
- 2 Grammy-Winning RecordsKirk Franklin "The Nu Nation Project" · Kirk Franklin "Hello Fear"
- 7 Grammy NominationsKirk Franklin · Eagles · Brian Blade and The Fellowship · Don Henley & Merle Haggard · Luther Dickinson · Sue Foley
- Gold & PlatinumEagles · Destiny's Child · Kirk Franklin · Erykah Badu · Reba McEntire
Full list
- Best Engineered Album — Non-ClassicalKirk Franklin "The Nu Nation Project" · 1999
- Best Pop Vocal AlbumEagles "Long Road Out of Eden"
- Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalsEagles "Waiting in the Weeds"
- Best Jazz Instrumental AlbumBrian Blade and The Fellowship "Landmarks"
- Best American Roots SongDon Henley & Merle Haggard "The Cost of Living"
- Best Traditional Blues AlbumLuther Dickinson "Blues and Ballads"
- Best Traditional Blues AlbumSue Foley "One Guitar Woman"
- Grammy win: Best Contemporary Soul Gospel AlbumKirk Franklin "The Nu Nation Project"
- Grammy win: Best Gospel AlbumKirk Franklin "Hello Fear"
- The Eagles "Long Road Out of Eden"7× Multi-Platinum
- Destiny's Child "The Writing's On The Wall"8× Multi-Platinum
- Kirk Franklin "The Nu Nation Project"2× Multi-Platinum
- Erykah Badu "Mama's Gun"Platinum
- Reba McEntire "Duets"Platinum
- Kirk Franklin "Hello Fear"Platinum
Let's Make a Record.
Located in the Texas Hill Country, serving Wimberley, Austin, and Central Texas. Book a session at our studio or we come to your space.
By Appointment · Studio sessions available year-round