Pete Reiniger, 1949–2022

Pete Reiniger passed away last week at the age of 73.

He was the longtime audio engineer and sound supervisor for Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and a colleague and friend to many in the field.

Folkways wrote in tribute:

When you listen to nearly any recording released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings over the past quarter-century, you are listening to Pete’s work. If he was a stickler for anything, it was crafting pristine, transparent, balanced, and gorgeous sound using his discerning ear and the tools of his trade. He always favored the “real thing” over artificial processing that could be used to gloss over imperfections or detract from the beauty inherent in the source of the sounds. Pete labored hand-in-hand with artists, producers, and other engineers to ensure the highest possible quality of sound. With more than 200 credits for his Folkways efforts, he earned multiple Grammys and other industry awards – though the joy in his work didn’t rely on external recognition. He was an artist and craftsman of the first order.

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Image: Smithsonian Folkways Recordings