Meet Peter Munters: From Basement Band to Award-Winning Sound Engineer
“What could be more important than giving a stranger a shot of inspiration to do something that makes their life feel more complete and then in turn enriches the lives of others? That’s what being human is all about.”
Drumroll please for Peter Munters: award-winning recording engineer, dialogue mixer and songwriter—and of course, highly respected graduate of The Los Angeles Recording School, a division of The Los Angeles Film School.
When you meet someone like Peter you’re immediately struck not only by their natural talent but also by their sheer determination.
With his growth from playing in a student basement band to a successful name in the entertainment industry, Peter is the perfect example of what can happen with consistent hard work.
Graduating from The Los Angeles Recording School with an Audio Production degree in 2014 and then an Entertainment Business degree in 2015, Peter’s journey is truly inspiring.
As we celebrate Peter’s induction into the 5th Annual Spotlight Awards, we recognize his incredible journey.
How did Peter Achieve Success in the Industry?
Peter’s tale is one of music, heritage and a whole lot of dedication.
His grandparents—both musicians—had to flee Latvia during World War II. It was from here that they came to the US and their family began to grow.
Peter’s grandmother introduced him to music, singing to him and teaching him piano. And her teachings have left a lasting impression to this very day.
“My grandmother was an opera soprano and my grandfather a concert cellist,” Peter shares. “I didn’t get formal training in those areas and I never met my grandfather, but his life’s work fascinated me. It made me more open to my grandmother’s teachings.”
Growing up, Peter spoke both Latvian and English thanks to his parents. This mix of cultures and a history of overcoming adversity shaped his identity.
As a teenager in Virginia, Peter discovered the electric guitar and formed rock band Over It. They recorded their own tracks in their basements, made four-track demos and found a studio in Northern Virginia. Their efforts landed them a deal with Lobster Records in Santa Barbara. Later, the band relocated and became based in Orange County.
Over the next few years, they built valuable industry connections from the East Coast to California. “We gained a lot of useful resources—labels, booking agents, managers, music supervisors, show promoters—because we were in the right place at the right time.”
Peter’s curiosity for tone and sound led him to audio mixing, sound engineering and dialogue mixing, laying the foundation for his versatile career. His proudest accomplishment so far is working on the 2018 Disney Junior reboot of Muppet Babies.
Peter has also worked on The Empty Man (2020), Lego DC Batman: Family Matters (2019) and Close Enough (2020).
The L.A. Film School connection
“There was something about the L.A. Recording School that felt more authentic to what I had experienced in recording studios,” Peter recalls.
Peter’s time with us was marked by influential mentors, especially film sound lecturer Andrew Ing. So much so that Andrew even got Peter a career-changing internship with Atlas Oceanic Sound and Picture, an award-winning studio in California.
Another key mentor was Dr. Guy Langford. “Dr. Guy constantly brought an air of enthusiasm and possibility to the classroom,” Peter says. “He always made us feel like we were on the verge of discovering something groundbreaking.”
The internship he landed soon turned into a permanent position, leading to work as a sound effects editor on DreamWorks animations All Hail King Julien and The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show. From there, he went on to work on a wide buffet of animation series, features and other projects as a dialogue and ADR mixer.
Safe to say, Peter’s dedication has paid off. He’s the proud nominee of numerous Emmy and Golden Award nominations and winner of Best Sound Mixer for Lego DC Batman: Family Matters.
Peter’s advice to budding creatives
“Lose yourself completely in the writing process. If you want to be a songwriter, everything that you can know is already out there in the world.”
“Find confidence in uncertainty and don’t get too comfortable. And if you do try to find a way to shake things up a little bit, try something different because even if you think the world is not going to start changing, it’s moving along even as we speak.”
Welcoming Peter to the Spotlight Academy
We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of The L.A. Film School this year, and as part of the festivities the 5th Annual Spotlight Awards will be held from September 9-12. Be sure to make your calendars to join us!
This exciting event honors the exceptional talent, innovation and accomplishments of our L.A. Film School graduates. And Peter Munters, Spotlight Academy inductee, will be joining as part of the Class of 2024.
Keep an eye on your email for updates on all the thrilling Spotlight events, including expert panels, virtual demos, interactive experiences and more. Join the celebration on social media with the hashtag #LAFSSpotlight. We look forward to celebrating with you!