You Wrote It! Now Where to Cut that Record when in Arizona!
by MichaelJon - April 16, 2008
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All bands know that practicing and writing songs as well as playing them out to live audiences is only half the picture. The other half is in getting your band into a good recording studio to cut those tracks to a CD master and being able to share your sound with the world. Having a sellable and high-quality CD these days is absolutely essential to making it in the music industry. The better quality of an audio recording that you have, the more likely that you are to attract new fans, industry insiders and an A&R scouts who can ultimately get you signed to a recording contract with a record company. After being in several bands in the Phoenix area, I have learned where the best recording studios are located and what they have to offer. This guide will take you on a tour of the best audio recording places to be found in the Valley of the Sun.
More than likely the best recording studio in the state of Arizona lays nestled inside of the small city of Mesa. If you know who to call and have a rather hefty budget, you can get your band in to cut tracks at this world famous recording hub. Huge is an understatement when it comes to the size and grander of this place. It is a palace amongst recording studios and boosts the best trained staff and some of most amazing gear that you will ever lay your eyes, or ears on.
The main feature is their lauded “Vintage” Neve 6235 Console which offers a total of 48 Inboard Channels of Discrete Neve Mic Pre/EQ’s; it is without a doubt the biggest and most expensive recording console board in the state. Piles of gear surround this console included four, count them, four full racks of amps, digital gadgets and just about everything under the sun that could ever possibly be used for recording a record. All of their rooms are very large and the studio features five isolation rooms and three live rooms, including the largest live room in the state. Furthermore, all of their rooms are decorated very nicely and they all have wooden floors.
If you want to cut a CD at the Saltmine you had better be prepared to pay out handsomely for it. Typically, and depending on what sort of a deal or package rate you work out, you will spend about $200 per hour to make use of all of their facilities; which also include the best instruments that money can buy. Most often you will have to book your slots months in advance as many major label bands come out to AZ just to cut their record at this amazing recording studio. But if you can stomach the hefty bill, you will have one of the better sounding recordings for your money.
The Live Room at The Saltmine
This world-class studio boasts some of the nicest gear and rooms in the state. This is a shot of their live room, which is simply put, freaking huge. You will not get a better drum track anywhere in the state.
A brand new recording studio and rehearsal studio facility located in Chandler, Arizona, this place has only been open for about six months or so. They do have much to offer the budget-minded and sound-conscious band however. They feature six rehearsal rooms that are outfitted with some of the best gear and instruments that money can buy. They also feature a 24 track mixing console that is digitally plugged to an XP supercomputer using Pro Tools for sessions.
Basically all of their rehearsal rooms also double as live recording rooms and isolation booths. All the members of the band take one room each and plug their instruments in. They slap headphones on everybody and you start cutting tracks. The end result is actually a pretty damn good sound. They also mix it all down for you and ready it for mastering for free. Their rates are pretty good and they do offer package deals on songs for CDs.
Isolation Room at SER Soundworks
A very nicely decorated live sound recording isolation room at SER Soundworks in Chandler depicts just how high-end their place and their recording gear are.
Prodigit West Inc
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Need a good quality recording for cheap? Great rates and friendly staff await you here.
Need a good quality recording for cheap? Great rates and friendly staff await you here.
Castle Productions
6837 E Sweetwater Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Known for their high quality audio recordings and great rates, give them a call if you are looking to cut a record.
Known for their high quality audio recordings and great rates, give them a call if you are looking to cut a record.
Soundtech Studios
Phoenix, AZ 85003
A centrally located recording studio that has ample gear, a knowledgeable staff and a great final product.
A centrally located recording studio that has ample gear, a knowledgeable staff and a great final product.
This place has churned out some great Rap and Hip-Hop records over the past few years, but they also record just about everything else too.
This place has churned out some great Rap and Hip-Hop records over the past few years, but they also record just about everything else too.
Hunnicutt Recording
737 W Lynwood St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
You may have trouble getting a slot at this popular recording studio, but if you are able to get one it will be well worth your time and money.
You may have trouble getting a slot at this popular recording studio, but if you are able to get one it will be well worth your time and money.
Lamont Audio Llc
Gilbert, AZ 85296
One of the best studios that the town of Gilbert has to offer. They have great gear, great service and very reasonable prices; they offer package deals as well.
One of the best studios that the town of Gilbert has to offer. They have great gear, great service and very reasonable prices; they offer package deals as well.
ProAction Media
9014 N 23RD AVE PHOENIX, AZ 85021
I have used Pro Action Media a number of times in the past. They offer fast turnaround, very professional and friendly service and some of best prices around. You can currently get 1000 CDs pressed and sealed, with inserts for $450.00.
Cd-Lab
Glendale, AZ 85301
Another great production and duplication center in Glendale that offers some great deals from time to on duplication. Currently they are not hosting any specials but just ask them for a deal and they will happily offer some very competitive prices for your business.
Another great production and duplication center in Glendale that offers some great deals from time to on duplication. Currently they are not hosting any specials but just ask them for a deal and they will happily offer some very competitive prices for your business.
The newest recording studio to open in Arizona is located in North Scottsdale and boy is it nice. This place is an all-around musician’s paradise. They do everything here that has to do with live music and production; and I mean everything. One of my favorite things about this place is that they happen to offer some of the better prices around town, and you would not think that they do because of where they are located and how nice their setup is.
Scottsdale Studios has it all. They have ten fully equipped and soundproofed rehearsal rooms that you can rent by the hour. They also have the only studio Green Room in the state—where you can shoot a music video with computer generate backdrops and screens, and they have all the gear and the engineers to edit it with; out of this world.
They also have a main stage that is fully equipped like an arena stage and is very large. You can rent this studio out hourly and cut live tracks or practice for that really big show. Almost every other weekend very famous bands will book this stage for their pre-show rehearsal in a more quiet and private environment. Bands like Kansas and The Atomic Punks to name a few.
Their recording studio is state-of-the-art and features a 64 channel Mackey mixing console adorned with all of the goodies. They also have a mastering lab to put the finishing touch and polish on your tracks once they are cut. Of course all of these goodies and high-tech gear will cost you but they are more than willing to offer deals and packages. All you have to do is call them up.
The Green Room at Scottsdale Studios
Bands can shoot their Music Videos in the Green Room Studio at Scottsdale Studios, which offers a state-of-the-art Green Room and they have all the top notch gear to edit your music video with too.
The city of Tempe has many recording studios, but many pale in comparison to the smaller but higher quality Desert Vista Recording Studios. Owned and operated by an audio engineering master that only uses a 24 channel mixing board plugged digitally into Pro Tools, the sound speaks for itself. But that is not the only thing that rocks about this place. They have some of the best prices that you will ever find at any recording studio in the state, period. And the sound that you get is freaking smooth, sweet and tasty.
Their studio is small but comfortable. Their gear is pretty good and does not scream major label studio, but has enough power to get the job done nicely. They feature a large waiting room with a couch and plenty of chairs, and a very large live room that also doubles as an isolation room for tracks. They do provide instruments but I recommend that you bring you own as their instruments are only so-so. If you want a great sound at a great price all mixed down, this place is the place to go in Tempe.
Waiting Room at Desert Vista Studios
When you are not the one whose turn it is to get behind that microphone in the studio, you can hang out here in the waiting room and wait for your turn.
Zia Record Exchange
105 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281
This local CD store has been in the valley forever. They sell used and new CDs and they even buy your old CDs. The always let local bands sell their CDs on consignment in their store. All you have to do is speak with the manager and drop some CDs off. They also have ten other locations all over the valley.
This local CD store has been in the valley forever. They sell used and new CDs and they even buy your old CDs. The always let local bands sell their CDs on consignment in their store. All you have to do is speak with the manager and drop some CDs off. They also have ten other locations all over the valley.
Tower Records-Video-Books
21001 N Tatum Blvd Ste 1630, Phoenix, AZ 85050
This is a huge record store located in North Phoenix. What separates them from the other guys is that you can actually get your local CD in here under their “Local Artists” section. You need a professional CD that has a barcode on it with sound scan in order to do so.
This is a huge record store located in North Phoenix. What separates them from the other guys is that you can actually get your local CD in here under their “Local Artists” section. You need a professional CD that has a barcode on it with sound scan in order to do so.
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