Lenise Bent

Lenise Diane Bent is an American audio engineer who has worked in both the music and film industry. She was one of a handful of women working in the Hollywood recording studio business in a technical role during the 1970s, and was the first woman to receive an RIAA Platinum album for her engineering of AutoAmerican by Blondie.

Early years Bent grew up in Los Angeles. At age 8, Bent and her brother were in the Screen Children's Guild and worked as an extra for tv and film. She later recalled being "more fascinated with the process and the production [...] as opposed to the acting." Her family was musical, and her eldest brother often brought home gear to repair from his job at an electronics store. which was one of the only recording schools at the time.

Music career Bent worked as an assistant engineer at The Village Recorders studio in Los Angeles. Her credits included Aja by Steely Dan; Breakfast in America by Supertramp; Tusk by Fleetwood Mac. She worked her way up to engineer (her first session in April 1977) Bent is also recognized for being one of a handful of women working in the Hollywood recording studio business (in a technical role) during the 1970s.

Bent moved into post-production (for film and television) but continues to work on music. In 2016, she recorded an all analog album with the band The Barrelhouse Kings. 2018, she recorded Primal King's self-titled album at United Recordings using all analog equipment.

When asked, "What is the key to recording a great sound?" Bent replied, "Capturing the performance the best way you possibly can, meaning using the right mic for that instrument or voice, put in the right place. And I prefer to work quickly while the energy is up."

Her favorite pre-amps are Neve 1073 and Neumann U67 is her favorite mic. The Blues Foundation P&E Wing of the Recording Academy Women in Music; Los Angeles Chapter Bent was a presenter at the 2020 NAMM "SoundGirls Mentoring in Recording Arts With Leslie Ann Jones" (alongside Jett Galindo, Fela Davis and Catharine Wood)