Chris Badami

Chris Badami is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the EMS (Electronic Music and Recording Studio) at Lafayette College.  He is also the founder and owner of Portrait Recording Studios in Pompton Plains, NJ. Badami is recognized for his contributions as a producer, engineer, mixer, accomplished drummer, and educator, as well as for his ability to authentically capture and convey an artist’s musical intent to recording media. His distinguished client roster includes Madonna, Janina Gavankar, Jennifer Rostock, The Starting Line, Adam Melchor, The Early November, and The Dillinger Escape Plan, among others, spanning multiple genres.  Whether cutting pop/punk or country, indie rock or metal, Badami focuses on finding the heart of the music and bringing it to life.

Badami’s formal training includes earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Technology/Percussion from New York University and graduating with honors from Southern Utah University with a Master of Music in Music Technology. He further distinguished himself through mentorship from acclaimed producer-engineers Andy Wallace and Jason Corsaro, and by earning certification as an Avid Pro Tools Specialist. His career achievements include four RIAA-certified gold records, multiple Grammy nominations/considerations, Billboard #1 chart placements, and over 298 million worldwide streams on major platforms.

Aside from his studio work, Badami continues to perform with notable artists and remains deeply involved in the NY/NJ/PA music scene.  Balancing his academic, technical, and performance backgrounds, he adopts an interdisciplinary approach to music production that emphasizes critical listening, collaborative pre-production, and the nuanced application of recording technology—supporting his commitment to translating artists’ expressive goals into impactful recorded works of art.