Dave Ryan: Music Recording Engineer/A1 for CBS Network

Jumping from rock guitar player to music studio recording engineer / producer is a jump.  Going from Music recording engineer to broadcast A1 and onto CBS network A1 is a HUGE LEAP. 

Dave Ryan has accomplished all those things. In this episode he shares how it all happened and what he had to learn along the way.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dave Ryan’s role as an A1 at CBS Mornings involves owning the full audio picture—managing music cuts, remote guests, and troubleshooting special issues like delays from remote setups.
  • His shift from musician to TV audio engineer was driven by a strong focus on sound quality and a desire to keep learning new, industry-relevant skills.
  • Mentorship mattered: Dave credits Rob Freeman with teaching him important lessons from the recording studio that carried into his later work.
  • His career path wasn’t linear—touring with a band and working at Bloomberg TV were stepping stones that helped him build experience before landing at CBS.
  • Networking and adaptability to different workplace cultures come up as key factors behind his professional growth and opportunities.
  • Joe highlights Dave’s noticeable growth, especially his ability to clearly explain technical audio concepts, reflecting Dave’s continuous learning mindset.