While in sixth grade, he won a science fair for building a radio transmitter with parts from a war surplus store.
In high school, Rudolph played the drums in a rock band and also designed and built a PA system for their use.
Simultaneously, Rudolph worked for various Southern California aerospace and computer companies as a digital test technician.
Rudolph started cutting demo acetate discs and later assisted recording engineers during sessions.
He was first engineer and mixer on his first #1 record, Al Wilson's album "Show and Tell" that received an RIAA gold certification in December 1973.