LOS ANGELES — Pro Audio veteran Michael Stahl, 68, died Sept. 20, 2014 after an extended illness. Stahl played a key role at ATK Audiotek, serving as its general manager for nine years, then acquiring the company together with partners Scott Harmala and Mikael Stewart and serving as its president before retiring in 2012. Prior to ATK Audiotek, Stahl held key positions with Maryland Sound International (MSI), Mountain Productions and Clair Brothers.
A Fascination with Sound, and Lifelong Love of Music
Stahl was raised around music from an early age growing up in the greater Washington DC area. He was fascinated as a child by sound and how every “noise” has its own unique and distinct collection of frequencies. “When I was growing up, I had no idea as to how these sounds could be changed or modified. I think my fascination was due, at least in part, to being surrounded by glorious classical music,” Stahl said last year.
Stahl’s mother was the co-principal cellist of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and many string quartet rehearsals were held in the living room of the Stahl home. What Stahl did not realize at the time was that a string quartet was composed of superior musicians who were playing on extremely high-caliber instruments. It was experiences like these that gave Stahl his foundations in both music and sound.
Stahl got his start in production while performing in bands throughout high school, and college. After graduation he was employed briefly as a Middle School history and math teacher. But the pull to use his musical and audio talents together lead him to opening a small recording studio in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It was from these modest beginnings that Stahl launched a career in the professional audio business that would span more than four decades.
The studio Stahl owned began to specialize in producing and recording advertising jingles for local businesses and also provided sound gear for live events on the side. When the early ‘70s gasoline crisis limited the ability of clients to travel to the studio, business dropped precipitously and Stahl chose to close the studio. While this was not what Stahl had planned, it set up the next important step in his career.
Stahl was then hired by Clair Brothers Audio, located in nearby Lititz Pennsylvania, which was (and still is) the largest live sound company in the world. Stahl worked for Clair for more than a dozen years, serving as one of the chief sound engineers on the company’s road staff. During that time Stahl traveled across the US and around the world providing the highest level of sound quality for some of the most demanding rock n’ roll acts of the day, including mega artists like Michael Jackson, Queen, Chicago and Kenny Rogers.
In the early 1980’s, Stahl was eager to get off the road and spend more time with his family. It was during this time that he accepted the position of general manager for Mountain Productions, one of the leading staging/production companies in the US. But it was sound, not staging that was in Stahl’s blood and not long after, Stahl was back in the audio business, this time with Maryland Sound International (MSI).
At the time, Baltimore based MSI was growing rapidly and was poised to open a new office on the West Coast. Stahl was challenged to open and operate MSI’s West Coast Division and was appointed General Manager of MSI, remaining there for several years.
Stahl was next offered the position of General Manager at ATK Audiotek. After serving nine years in that role, Stahl along with partners Scott Harmala and Mikael Stewart acquired ATK and he was named President. Stahl finished his successful career at ATK in the fall of 2012.
Under Stahl’s tenure, ATK grew from six employees to currently having more than 70 full time employees, revenue grew during that period 10 fold, a testament to Stahl’s drive and management expertise. ATK is recognized as one of the premiere audio companies in the U.S., counting The Super Bowl, Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, Academy Awards, American Idol, The X Factor, The Voice and Dancing with the Stars among its many clients. After 21 years at the helm, as well as 20 previous years of live audio experience, Stahl chose to retire and pursue both recreational and professional interests.
Stahl had kept up his lifelong love of music that began as a child. He was an avid guitar player and collector and had amassed an impressive collection of vintage electric guitars. He was also a prolific writer.
Stahl is survived by his wife of 31 years, Judy; his adult children, Michelle and Stephen; and his grandchildren, Samantha and Michelle. A memorial service will be held at Eden Memorial Park Sept. 26 at 1pm; it’s at 11500 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills, CA 91345. The family has requested that donations be made to The City of Hope in lieu of flowers.
