One constant in a musician's life is the never ending search for heavenly tone, and the proper recording technology and methods to capture it. Like the mythical unicorn, it may seem as though that "perfect" sound is just beyond being captured.
Just like the search for the best tone is a life-long endeavor, so is the search for the "perfect" recording studio. Frankly, there is no one "perfect" studio. If there was, it would be booked for the next 100 years straight and cost $6 million per hour, engineer not included.
There are tons of variables that go into selecting the recording space that's best for you. Really it comes down to how much you can afford to spend, and what type of music you're recording.
If you try to cut a gospel album in a spot where they really only do metal, it may won't work out so well.
That being said, part of the magic and mystery of audio recording is in the chemistry and combination between artist, the room, gear, and engineers. The gear can change, the engineers can change, but the rooms mainly stay the same with the exception of relatively basic rearranging of course.
So let's take a look, in no particular order besides alphabetical, at some of New York City's top recording studios, and who has recorded there.
1. Avatar Studios (441 West 53rd Street)
bongioviacoustics In the early seventies, while producing hit records at Media Sound in New York City, Tony Bongiovi recognized the need for a new, radically different approach to hit-making. In 1977 he conceived, designed and built the world-renowned Power Station Studio Complex in Midtown Manhattan. The Power Station received every major award that the industry has to offer including Mix Magazine’s prestigious TEC Award (Technical Excellence and Creativity) as Studio of the Year for an unprecedented 6 years, the maximum number permitted. Power Station was also the first recipient of the recording industry’s highest honor: The Les Paul Award. This is a special achievement award that was bestowed upon Power Station for its consistent contributions to audio excellence and creativity. Power Station is part of a world-class, award winning facility that includes film production facilities, shooting stages and an animation center. Today, the Bongiovi Acoustics team continues the traditions of Power Station Studios bringing unique, cutting edge design and high-quality sound to consumers all over the world. #bongioviacoustics #comingsoon #november #dps #digitalpowerstation #recordingstudio #tonybongiovi #soundofrock #motown #powerstationa #lespaulaward #mixmagazine #tecawards #nyc
Avatar Studios, wow. Everybody from Ozzy Osbourne, to P.Diddy has recorded there. Everybody from Madonna to Iggy Pop, and let's not forget Meatloaf and Dr. John. Oh, and let's not forget Kanye West and Celine Dion. Talk about variety, eh?
Avatar Studios sports a ton of recording rooms: seven right now, to be exact, and a bunch of techs and engineers in residence to ensure mint recording. Not too shabby.
2. Bunker Studios (400 South 2nd Street)
Owned and operated by Nerve bassist John Davis and partner musician/producer Aaron Nevezie, Bunker Studios, also just called "The Bunker," is a hotbed of recording in Williamsburg. Sure, there are other Brooklyn-ish recording studios in the area, but this one has the right stuff.
If the abominable snowman was a funk band, it would be Lettuce, and they're just one band that hits the Bunker to record. Who else? Well, there's Danger Mouse, Pretty Lights, The Roots, The Black Keys, Punch Brothers and Moby just to name, uh, eight.
3. Continental Recording Studio (10-10 44th Avenue - Queens)
continental_lic Upgraded our vintage #SoundWorkshop Console with these two channel strips custom-built by Richie Vee
Continental has been livening up Long Island City since 2011, giving something of a personal touch to every project-- something which larger studios like to say they do, but don't necessarily actually do.
Killer Brooklyn outfit Teddy Midnight recorded their first EP at Continental. You may have seen them on our recent list of NYC artists not to sleep on, but Consider the Source is one notable group to grace Continental's boards.
Cousin Earth has even recorded video content in there, including a crossover with Consider the Source. Dope
4. The Cutting Room (14 East 4th Street)
thecuttingroomstudios Tune in to @johnwmrichards on @KEXP to hear @jsbx2015 recording live from the cutting room studios! #live #recording
First, you need to know that this is where Prince recorded and mastered Musicology. Also, The Cutting Room has quite a hip-hop roster. Not just a flashy list of big-name garbage, rather, storied artists at the top of their game.
Mos Def's The Danger and Black on Both Sides were recorded here, The Roots' Things Fall Apart, as well as Wu-Tang Clan's A Better Tomorrow and Keep Watch.
More recently, The Cutting Room has recorded Chromeo's White Women and Lana Del Rey's Born to Die.
,5. Electric Lady Studios (52 West 8th Street)
electricladystudios the kills cooking up new tunes at @electricladystudios #thekills #electricladystudios 📷: the one and only @marksquires
Almost all you need to know about Electric Lady is that it was Jimi Hendrix's brain child. Almost. Unfortunately, Hendrix passed away not too long after the studio opened, but the place oozes with his magic. And it's the oldest recording studio in NYC that's operational. Groovy, man.
Colossal recording artists like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and Patti Smith have recorded there in the past. Contemporary artists who've loved the Electric Lady include U2, The Kills, Daft Punk, and Beck.
6. Jambox Studio (352 7th Avenue)
jamboxent Behind the scenes look at out 3 Hour Intro To Music Production workshop going on now at JAMBOX. Call us at 212-979-8324 to learn how you can sign up!
Jambox Studios is headed up by founder, CEO, and studio director Lee Evans. He's a producer, songwriter, engineer, and musician with 30 years of experience in the music industry. They offer three rooms and all manner of mastering services as well.
They've done a lot of commercial recording, including a McDonald's commercial and work for BET. Labels and other companies that have chosen Jambox include MTV, Verizon Wireless, Columbia Records, Motown, Vibe, and ESPN.
7. Smash Studios (307 West 36th Street #18)
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Smash is a bit different in that they offer way more than recording services. There are rehearsal spaces, showcase suites, film and TV production/editing, and dance studios. It's kind of a creative space one stop shop.
Since 1989, the list of artists who've recorded at Smash includes My Morning Jacket, Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, Incubus, Jay-Z, D'Angelo, The B-52's, Kid Cudi, and The Misfits. Whoa.
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[Feature Image Courtesy MusicofOurHeart]