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James P. Nichols

  • Sound Department
  • Music Department
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
James P. Nichols, an American recording industry executive producer and master engineer, embarked on his journey in the music world in 1973 after studying recording at The New School for Social Research. His career took off as an Assistant Engineer at A1 Studios in New York City under the mentor ship of Herb Abramson, a co-founder of Atlantic Records. Over the years, Nichols honed his skills at various studios, including Electric Lady Studios, Sound Mixers, and A&R Studios, where he contributed to projects like The Clash's "Sandinista!" album.

Nichols furthered his education at New York Technical College, focusing on Electronics for Communications, Prototype Fabrications, and Microprocessors. His passion for innovation led him to TimeLine Inc., where he played a pivotal role in developing The Lynx Time Code Module, a renowned device in the music industry.

In 1984, Nichols joined RCA Recording Studios, where he rose to prominence as a Master Engineer, contributing to numerous jazz, Broadway, and classical recordings. His notable achievements include his work on the audio for Spike Lee's film "Malcolm X," which showcased his expertise in recording, mixing, and mastering.

Throughout his career, Nichols garnered accolades, including a Grammy Award for "Best Historical Recording" for "The Jascha Heifetz Collection." He continued to excel in various roles, from producer/engineer at Manhattan Center Studios to off-Broadway producer of innovative performances like "Madwoman: A Contemporary Opera."

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Nichols is committed to nurturing the next generation of sound engineers and musicians. He has dedicated himself to teaching and supporting artists worldwide through initiatives like "HIS "Not for profit artist support organization "Commercial Free Jazz" ,his role as a Film Applications Engineer for Dolby Laboratories and his years as a Professor with Berklee College of Music.

James P. Nichols' unwavering dedication to excellence and innovation has left an indelible mark on the recording industry, cementing his legacy as a visionary leader and master of his craft.
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    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Known for

    Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
    Assault on Precinct 13
    7.3
    • Second Unit or Assistant Director(as James Nichols)
    • 1976
    Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sharon Stone in Sphere (1998)
    Sphere
    6.1
    • Music Department
    • 1998
    Brit Marling in Another Earth (2011)
    Another Earth
    6.9
    • Sound Department(as James Nichols)
    • 2011
    Tupac Shakur, Omar Epps, Jermaine Hopkins, and Khalil Kain in Juice (1992)
    Juice
    7.0
    • Music Department
    • 1992

    Credits

    IMDbPro

    Sound Department



    • 4 Clones Alone
      • post-production sound mixer
      • Post-production



    • Jonathan D. Bucari in No Letting Go (2015)
      No Letting Go
      6.3
      • Dolby sound consultant (as James Nichols)
      • 2015
    • The Visit (2015)
      The Visit
      6.3
      • Dolby sound consultant (as James Nichols)
      • 2015
    • The Metropolitan Opera HD Live (2006)
      The Metropolitan Opera HD Live
      8.9
      TV Series
      • audio (as James Nichols)
      • 2014–2015
    • Clown (2014)
      Clown
      5.7
      • Dolby consultant (as James Nichols)
      • 2014
    • Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, and Jessica Alba in Some Kind of Beautiful (2014)
      Some Kind of Beautiful
      5.7
      • Dolby sound consultant (as James Nichols)
      • 2014
    • Jeremy Renner in Kill the Messenger (2014)
      Kill the Messenger
      6.9
      • Dolby sound consultant (as James Nichols)
      • 2014
    • John Cusack, Julianne Moore, Robert Pattinson, and Mia Wasikowska in Maps to the Stars (2014)
      Maps to the Stars
      6.2
      • Dolby sound consultant (as James Nichols)
      • 2014
    • Indelible (2014)
      Indelible
      • sound mixer (as James Nichols)
      • 2014
    • Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo in Begin Again (2013)
      Begin Again
      7.4
      • Dolby engineer (as James Nichols)
      • 2013
    • Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston in Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)
      Only Lovers Left Alive
      7.2
      • Dolby sound consultant (as James Nichols)
      • 2013
    • We Steal Secrets (2013)
      We Steal Secrets
      6.9
      • Dolby engineer (as James Nichols)
      • 2013
    • Robin Weigert in Concussion (2013)
      Concussion
      5.6
      • Dolby engineer (as James Nichols)
      • 2013
    • Bill Sage, Ambyr Childers, and Julia Garner in We Are What We Are (2013)
      We Are What We Are
      5.9
      • Dolby engineer (as James Nichols)
      • 2013
    • Jason Bateman, Alexander Skarsgård, Hope Davis, Michael Nyqvist, Max Thieriot, and Andrea Riseborough in Disconnect (2012)
      Disconnect
      7.5
      • Dolby sound consultant (uncredited)
      • 2012
    • Tim Robbins, Gwyneth Paltrow, P!nk, Mark Ruffalo, and Josh Gad in Thanks for Sharing (2012)
      Thanks for Sharing
      6.4
      • sound consultant: Dolby (as James Nichols)
      • 2012

    Music Department



    • Indelible (2014)
      Indelible
      • score mixer (as James Nichols)
      • 2014
    • Faith Hill: Joy to the World (2008)
      Faith Hill: Joy to the World
      8.6
      TV Special
      • musician (as James Nichols)
      • 2008
    • Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Affleck in Changing Lanes (2002)
      Changing Lanes
      6.5
      • music recordist (uncredited)
      • 2002
    • Three Seasons (1999)
      Three Seasons
      7.2
      • music mixer (as James Nichols)
      • 1999
    • 2007 USA theatrical release
      The Other Conquest
      6.6
      • sound engineer (as James Nichols)
      • 1998
    • Dustin Hoffman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sharon Stone in Sphere (1998)
      Sphere
      6.1
      • music mixer
      • music recordist
      • 1998
    • Daniel Day-Lewis and Emily Watson in The Boxer (1997)
      The Boxer
      7.0
      • music engineer
      • 1997
    • The Butcher Boy (1997)
      The Butcher Boy
      7.1
      • additional music recordist (as James Nichols)
      • 1997
    • Cosi (1996)
      Cosi
      6.7
      • recording engineer: additional music (as James Nichols)
      • 1996
    • Patricia Arquette, Téa Leoni, and Ben Stiller in Flirting with Disaster (1996)
      Flirting with Disaster
      6.7
      • score recordist
      • 1996
    • Ed (1996)
      Ed
      2.8
      • score recordist
      • 1996
    • Brad Renfro and Jonathan Taylor Thomas in Tom and Huck (1995)
      Tom and Huck
      5.5
      • score engineer
      • 1995
    • Voices from a Locked Room (1995)
      Voices from a Locked Room
      6.2
      • music recording engineer
      • 1995
    • Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald in The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain (1995)
      The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain
      6.6
      • score recordist
      • 1995
    • Fairuza Balk, Harvey Keitel, and Elisabeth Moss in Imaginary Crimes (1994)
      Imaginary Crimes
      6.4
      • score recordist
      • 1994

    Writer



    • Deuce Coupe (1992)
      Deuce Coupe
      5.6
      • screenplay
      • story (as James Nichols, as James Nichols)
      • 1992

    Personal details

    • Alternative names
      • James P. Nicholas

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