Geoff Tanner’s journey in audio engineering is an inspiring story of passion, expertise, and resilience. Born in 1946 in Watford, Hertfordshire, Tanner has devoted over five decades to advancing the world of professional sound. His career took off with Rupert Neve & Co. Ltd., where, for 15 formative years, he was instrumental in designing and developing custom broadcast and recording consoles that became benchmarks for audio quality and innovation. After leaving Neve in 1986, Tanner continued to dedicate his expertise to the audio community, offering custom design, maintenance, and repair services to an impressive roster of clients around the world, including industry icons like CBS Records in Aylesbury and Audio Productions in Croydon. His work reached a new pinnacle in 1994 with the creation of a 56-channel, 24-track recording console for Great Linford Manor, a facility renowned for its quality. This impressive console now resides at Steakhouse Recording Studios in North Hollywood, California, still supporting artists in their creative pursuits—a living testament to Tanner’s enduring impact on the industry.

In 1996, Tanner’s career took another pivotal turn when he reconnected with David Langford, a former Neve colleague. The two were presented with a unique challenge by Alan Dickson, owner of Grandmaster Recorders Ltd. in Hollywood. Dickson had encountered major issues with a classic Neve console, one that the new Neve Corporation showed little interest in repairing, as their focus had shifted to newer models. Determined to restore the beloved vintage sound, Langford suggested that Dickson call on Tanner, whose expertise in vintage gear was unparalleled. Tanner accepted the challenge, bringing the console back to life and rekindling the legendary Class-A sound that had defined Neve consoles. This successful project not only saved Dickson’s console but also reawakened Tanner’s dedication to preserving the unique tonal quality that had made these consoles famous.

The success of this collaboration led to a new chapter for Tanner. Inspired by the project’s success, Tanner, Langford, and Dickson founded Phoenix Audio with a mission to bring back the classic Class-A sound that had become rare and coveted in the audio world. Phoenix Audio quickly gained a reputation for its dedication to high-quality, vintage-inspired sound in a modern, reliable format. When Langford retired, Tanner and Dickson carried forward their shared passion, rebranding the company as Aurora Audio. They focused on designing and manufacturing professional audio gear that brought the unique Class-A experience to a new generation of artists and engineers. Although Alan Dickson passed away in 2016, Tanner has continued the Aurora Audio legacy from its home in North Hollywood, California. Through Aurora Audio, Tanner remains committed to his lifelong vision, blending innovation with tradition to uphold the high standards and rich, warm sounds that have made his work a cornerstone in the world of audio engineering.