We recently connected with Gavin Hammond and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gavin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Music has always been the driving force in my life. I grew up in Albuquerque surrounded by live performances because my parents ran a café with a small stage and weekly open mics. I was constantly around real musicians, and that atmosphere shaped everything about who I became. My parents started me in piano lessons when I was four years old, and I had to practice every day before I could do anything else. What started as routine discipline quickly became passion. I joined orchestra on violin, played in jazz band, and even jammed in garage bands on guitar.

I always had an entrepreneurial streak — I started my first business mowing lawns at age eleven, then taught piano, ran cooking classes, and took on any creative hustle I could find. But when I turned eighteen, I started recording my own music, and that’s what sparked something much bigger. I got fascinated with sound, microphones, and production — and that led me to study Music Production and Engineering at The Los Angeles Film School.

After graduating, I became the head engineer at Audio-Shine Studio. I wasn’t planning to start a business at first — I just loved recording. But I began working with local artists out of their homes, and word spread quickly. I started to notice how much people loved the experience, how passionate they were about their songs, and how few professional recording options existed in Albuquerque.

That realization changed everything. I saw a clear gap in the market — there wasn’t a place where artists could get top-tier vocal production, mixing, and mastering without leaving the city. So, I started small: a laptop, a microphone, a preamp, and the skills I had learned through years of practice and study. I began recording wherever I could — mobile setups, home studios, even makeshift spaces — and slowly built a client base.

Once I started treating it like a real business, things took off fast. I reinvested every dollar back into gear, space, and branding. Before long, I outgrew my home setup and found the building that became Checkmark Audio. From there, everything started to scale — more clients, better equipment, more engineers, and a professional space that artists love to create in.

Today, Checkmark Audio has become a central hub for recording, mixing, and mastering in Albuquerque — a studio built from the ground up on passion, hard work, and the belief that world-class music can come from anywhere. And now, through Checkmark Audio School, we’re training the next generation of engineers and producers to continue growing the local music scene, creating job opportunities, and building the kind of music industry infrastructure you’d expect to see in larger cities — right here at home.

Gavin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Gavin Hammond, and I’m a professional audio engineer, producer, pianist, and educator based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’m the founder of Checkmark Audio, a full-service recording studio specializing in vocal production, mixing, and mastering. I’ve worked on thousands of projects over the years, everything from hip hop and R&B to pop, jazz, and film music.

What sets Checkmark Audio apart is our approach. We don’t just record artists, we help them sound like professionals. Every session is personalized. We guide clients through vocal technique, arrangement, and tone; we help them understand how their sound fits into the industry. We’re not just a studio; we’re a development space for artists who want to take their craft seriously.

Beyond the studio, I founded Checkmark Audio School, a hands-on training program for aspiring engineers and producers. The goal is to build up Albuquerque’s local talent pool, create real career pathways, and keep creativity and opportunity in our city. We’re training engineers who will not only work in our studios but also go on to shape the future of the New Mexico music industry.

At the core of it all is passion. I truly love this work, both the art and the science of sound. I love helping artists bring their vision to life, and I think that genuine care shows in the results. I take pride in knowing that when people record at Checkmark Audio, they’re getting world-class quality and an experience built on trust, respect, and creativity.

What I want people to know about Checkmark Audio is that it’s not just a business — it’s a movement. We’re showing that you can build something exceptional here in Albuquerque, without having to move to L.A. or New York. You can stay home, make incredible records, and be part of a growing creative community that’s putting our city on the map.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

In the very beginning, I had the most basic gear imaginable: a cheap microphone, a low-cost compressor and preamp, and a laptop. But what I did have was a deep understanding of acoustics and recording technique, thanks to the training I received from my amazing instructors at The Los Angeles Film School. I learned how to make even the simplest setup sound professional.

Every time I made money from a session, I reinvested it, upgrading one piece of gear at a time. I’d buy a better mic, a better preamp, better monitors, and eventually, furniture and acoustic treatment. It was slow, but it was steady. I didn’t take shortcuts, and I didn’t take on debt. I built the studio from the ground up, one project at a time, using nothing but the income I earned doing what I loved.

That approach gave me full control and ownership. It also kept me grounded, I appreciated every upgrade because I worked for it. Looking back, I’m proud that Checkmark Audio was built on skill, integrity, and discipline rather than outside funding. It’s proof that with enough consistency and passion, you can build something substantial from scratch.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think my reputation grew because people could feel that I genuinely care about the music, and about them.

Every artist who walks into Checkmark Audio gets treated with the same level of attention and respect, whether they’re a beginner recording their first demo or a seasoned performer working on an album. I take the time to listen, to understand their sound, and to help them get the best possible result. That kind of care builds trust.

Beyond that, I’ve worked hard to deliver consistently professional results. I treat every mix, every vocal, every project like it’s going to be heard by the whole world. That attention to detail, combined with genuine love for the craft, is what I think people connect with most.

At the end of the day, reputation comes from consistency and authenticity. People can tell when you love what you do. And I truly, deeply love what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.checkmarkaudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkmark_audio/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CheckmarkTV
• Yelp: https://www.youtube.com/@CheckmarkTV
• Other: https://www.checkmarkaudioschool.com

Image Credits

Country Medicine – Ave
NEH -Sitting on couch from left to right Gabe(Bass Player)Tye(Drummer),Cristian(Singer) , Alex(Guitar)
Gregorio and The Unknown – from left to right Javi and Gregorio
Diego with the guitar and the sunglasses
Richard Baca – black and white photo