San Diego's Own Chanauk Records Their debut EP in Studio A

San Diego-based heavy rock band Chanauk recorded their debut EP at Studio West across December 16-18, 2010. The band chose Kellogg Boynton IV as their recording engineer, based on his reputation and extensive Pro Tools expertise. Here’s what the band had to say about the recording process:

“While most engineers use a direct signal for recording, Kellogg utilized a collection of microphones that gave me a great sound - big, growly and thick, it really provides a solid foundation for our songs.” -Rob Jones, bassist

“The best equipment combined with Kellogg’s knowledge at the helm enabled me to really dial in great clean and overdriven tones. This was definitely the most comfortable and non-intrusive recording experience I’ve ever had.”  -Tyler Alvord, guitarist

“Kellogg was a very compassionate and welcoming engineer. It really helped having an engineer that understands the difficulty of having to record first out of the whole band. I also didn’t expect to be able to get such a great sound from my kit, which is optimized more toward a live setting.” -Nic Gentilella, drummer

“I love recording guitars at Studio West because they always turn out professional, especially compared to recording at home. You know you’re at an awesome studio when the studio owner’s wife brings you pastries in the morning.” -Hunter Levy, singer/guitarist

Plain White T's Record in Studio A for Slacker Radio

Plain White T's and Studio West Staff in Studio A

This past Friday Slacker Radio brought Plain White T's into Studio A to do some voiceover recording for their personalized radio station.  The band performed a 3-song acoustic set for an intimate gathering of 40 fans, closing with their biggest hit "Hey There Delilah".  The session was also streamed live over Slacker Radio and recorded for a potential future broadcast.

The five-member band brought in three acoustic guitars and a ukulele, and shakers and tambourines for the percussionist.  All of the instruments and voices were recorded in to Pro Tools HD 8 at 24 bit/96Khz and returned to Studio A's SSL 4064E Console for mixdown.  Each vocalist sang through an SM7b microphone except for lead singer Tom Higgenson, who sang through a U87 into a Teletronix LA-2A.  Every microphone was routed through a Neve 1073 Preamp before being sent into Pro Tools. 

Check our site for more photos, and stay tuned to Slacker Radio to hear music from the session!  

(write up submitted by Kellogg Boynton, Studio West Staff Engineer)

We're Turning 40!

Next year, Studio West will celebrate 40 years of recording in San Diego!  A lot has changed since 1971, and original owner Lee Carroll put it all into perspective thusly:

"Let's see.. we opened in August 1971 on Ruffner Street.  I was 27 years old.  We started with 8 track 1 inch tape.  I saw 16 and 24 track invented, and we had them all.  Automation came in the 80s.  Then digital changed everything.  We were almost always doing commercials and movies.  Before I left, I had 39 Clio nominations and 3 first place statues....Cool."

Here's looking forward to the next 40!  Thanks, San Diego!

Studio West Works with Sprout/PBS and Pat Monahan of Train

You know him as the unmistakable voice of Train, and now your kids will know him as the voice of Driver Dan.  Monahan was picked to re-voice the lead character in Sprout's new kids show targeted at teaching preschoolers the values of sharing, listening, and singing. The show was originally produced in the UK, and the folks at Sprout decided they wanted to replace the British voice of Driver Dan with an American voice. When asked how he was picked for the lead, Pat replied that the producers really loved the connection between the train in the show and his band Train.

Train was playing shows in San Diego just prior to leaving the country for Spain and their current European tour. The folks from Sprout/PBS contacted us about arranging time for the weekend sessions but we were completely booked. It was critical that they get Pat into the studio while he was in in San Diego. To solve the problem, we actually ended up booking time at another studio in town and brought all the equipment needed for the two days of looping sessions. The hardware consisted of adding an Avid Mojo to the studios existing Pro Tools system. We setup viewing monitors for both Pat in the booth and the engineer & producer in the control room. The sessions were sent out from Philadelphia earlier in the week and prepped ahead of time at Studio West. In all, it was a very productive weekend for Pat and Driver Dan.

Click here for more on Pat and Driver Dan.

Matt Costa Records for Slacker Radio

Singer/songwriter Matt Costa was in Studio C recently, telling stories and talking about his musical influences.  We captured every word for Slacker Radio , so now Matt's fans can listen to his songs and hear about their origins, too!

This Year's Primo Post Projects (so far!)

Olivia - Nickelodeon
RED  - DC Entertainment
MTV’s Made reality series
Driver Dan - Sprout, PBS TV
Dora the Explorer - Nickelodeon
Star Wars, The Clone Wars - Lucas Arts
Star Wars, The Old Republic - Lucas Arts 

Into the Wormhole - Science Channel
Terriers - FX Network
The Big C - Showtime TV
Iron Man 2 video game trailer
Richard Dreyfuss in Piranha 3D
Olympic Snowboarder Mason Aguirre for Nike  
NBA Hall of Fame Announcer, Eddie Doucette
Dettol commercial series for Angel Sound Studios, London
A Way With Words (75 Episodes!) for NPR Radio 
Straw Dogs – Screen Gems; pre-production for musical score with composer Larry Groupe’

Olivia

Richard Dreyfuss in Piranha 3D

RED

Artist Paula Prophet Hits #7 on the UK Soul Chart

Pop/R&B artist and songwriter Paula Prophet recently finished a six song EP "From Me to You" at Studio West. Paula's label, Pacific Coast Jazz, released the EP's songs via digital distribution. Last month, the title cut was #7 on the UK Soul Chart, a radio program airing in the UK and hosted by James Lewis. Paula was also a featured artist in Tunisia! Congrats to Paula, the soulful songstress. Marti Amado arranged and produced the EP with arranging/production assistance from Allan Phillips. Engineer Caleb Keiter recorded the project and Kellogg Boynton mixed at Studio West. Mastering was done by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab.  Listen to Paula's music here.

Radio Airplay for Emerging Artist Eva Alexander

Emerging artist Eva Alexander finished a three-song EP of originals at Studio West in late August and she's already generating a buzz with her music.  Two of the tunes, "Let's Roll" and "Make My Day" have received airplay on San Diego Radio stations Sophie 103.7 and KPRI 102.1.  Click here to listen to an audio take of "Let's Roll".  Marti Amado arranged and produced the project, Caleb Keiter was tracking engineer and Kellogg Boynton was mixing engineer.  Eva has recently been invited to perform in a ReverbNation showcase in Florida later this year.