Building Audio Futures: Greg’s Journey from Dubbing to Remote Innovation
When Greg first entered the world of post-production, he didn’t come from the traditional path of sound engineers or mixers. Instead, he arrived from the world of investment and finance, acquiring SPG Studios, a Los Angeles–based foreign-language dubbing company. What began as a business challenge soon became a passion project also. Over time, Greg expanded into new ventures, eventually founding Signature Post, a boutique audio post-production facility with studios in Santa Monica and Burbank.To the naked eye, SPG and Signature appear similar—both provide high-end audio services. Yet their work is distinct. SPG operates largely “Post-post” handling dubbing and localisation once a project is already locked. By contrast, Signature Post is deeply collaborative, with clients and creative teams often sitting in on mixes and ADR sessions. One company thrives on structured, predictable throughput; the other works in the volatile, deadline-driven world of finishing. Together, they gave Greg a panoramic view of how the industry functions—and where its bottlenecks lie.
The Origin of Remoto
That vantage point proved invaluable in 2020, when the pandemic suddenly disrupted workflows worldwide. Greg recalls dubbing Game of Thrones at the time, facing pressure from studios to keep recording while lockdowns made traditional sessions impossible. Remote tools existed, but most were “kluged”—cobbled together hybrids of dedicated audio tools and conferencing platforms like Zoom or WebEx, which were never designed for frame-accurate, secure audio collaboration. For high-stakes clients such as HBO, that simply wasn’t good enough.The limitations were clear. Traditional studios could patch into each other using professional gear, but the moment a director, HoD or producer joined from home, quality and sync broke down. Sessions that should have been about creative feedback became mired in technical troubleshooting. “The expectation now,” Greg explains, “is that work can meet you wherever you are. But the tools hadn’t caught up.”So, rather than waiting for an outsider solution, Greg and his colleagues decided to build one themselves. Out of this need, Remoto Playback was born: a collaboration platform created by audio people, for audio people.
Designed with Practitioners in Mind
What sets Remoto apart is not simply that it enables remote participation—that was already possible. It’s that it mirrors the way audio professionals actually work. Remoto’s host controls allow mixers to route sources with ultimate flexibility and precision, while its participant interface remains as simple as Zoom. That balance of sophistication and accessibility was intentional: clients shouldn’t have a technical barrier to their creative feedback.One standout feature is timecoded markers. Instead of scribbling notes or recording sessions to review later, observers can drop comments directly into the timeline. Those notes then export straight into Pro Tools, cutting down on wasted hours. Another innovation is per-participant sync control. Anyone who has run a remote spotting session knows the pain of someone being out of sync due to headphones or device delay. With Remoto, each viewer can adjust sync locally, eliminating one of the most common headaches.Other tools—like push-to-talk and session presets—further streamline collaboration. In Greg’s words, “We wanted to make the remote workflow familiar, almost like an appliance”. Something built for the job, not a Frankenstein’s monster of tools never designed to work together.
Democratising Access
Beyond features, Remoto’s business model reflects the realities of post-production. Instead of always locking users into subscriptions, the platform can run on a flexible, pay-as-you-go basis. A small team can purchase just a half-hour session for a few participants, while larger companies can opt for subscriptions if they need heavier usage and predictable costs.That flexibility matters not only for cost control but also for inclusivity. Independent supervisors, small studios, or even students can access the same professional-grade tool without prohibitive overhead. A welcome approach in an industry where opportunity is often gated by resources.
Looking Ahead: ADR and Beyond
Playback is the first manifestation of the Remoto platform, which was designed as an infrastructure to support multiple products. The next, currently in beta, is focused on ADR sessions – run remotely to picture. The goal is to recreate the dynamics of a live ADR session, with director, engineer, and talent in different locations but working together seamlessly. Whether for TV commercials, dubbing, or feature films, the ability to record securely from anywhere could dramatically expand creative possibilities.
Reflections on a Changing Industry
While Greg is optimistic about technology’s role, he acknowledges the broader challenges facing post-production. The past few years have brought disruption; from COVID to strikes to a glut of capacity in both facilities and personnel. Many professionals who once worked steadily year-round now struggle for consistency. “Some of the worst is behind us,” he says, “but I don’t think we’ll return to the heady days pre-COVID. The industry is right-sizing.”Part of that adjustment is generational. Today’s audiences – his own teenagers included – consume content in ever-fragmented ways, from streaming to podcasts to social platforms. Legacy television and film will remain dominant for some time, but their share of attention is slowly eroding. As Greg puts it, “We’re yelling in a more crowded marketplace. Breakout hits still happen, but they compete with more distractions than ever before.”His investor’s perspective shapes his outlook. Industries rise, plateau, and recalibrate. Entertainment is unique in its cultural impact, but it too must adapt to shifting economics and consumer behavior. For Greg, the lesson is not despair but pragmatism: focus on efficiency, embrace new tools, and meet creators where they are.
Conclusion
Greg’s journey from financier to dubbing entrepreneur to technology innovator illustrates how fresh perspectives can spark change. SPG Studios taught him the global complexities of localisation; Signature Post grounded him in the immediacy of creative collaboration. Together, they exposed the pain points that led to Remoto.More than just another remote-work tool, Remoto embodies an ethos: purpose-built solutions, designed by practitioners, that make workflows more efficient and inclusive. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, Greg’s story is a reminder that innovation often comes not from tradition, but from those willing to reimagine it.
