The future of music

10 Best Recording Studios in Los Angeles

December 29, 2023
Best Recording Studios in Los Angeles

Ah, Los Angeles, that star-studded landscape where dreams take flight – who wouldn’t want to get their pop culture start in such a legendary place

Los Angeles is not all cinema, celebrities, and traffic jams – they have a buzzing and diverse music scene that rivals anything you’d find in London, New York, or indeed, Seattle. 

With almost a century of creative heritage to its name, Los Angeles boasts some notable recording studios where you can take the raw material of your talent and vision and mold it into a hot commodity. 

Check out our picks of the best recording studios in Los Angeles.

1. Paramount Recording Studio

Paramount Recording Studio

With a glittering, storied history to its name, Paramount has the legendary status of old Hollywood to back up its engineering expertise and technical prowess.

Not exaggerating about the storied history thing either: Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Valens, Guns and Roses, and Bob Dylan were all clients.

Oh, and the carpenter for their famed Studio C tracking room in the mid-70s was unknown actor Harrison Ford.

With seven creatively-appointed recording studios and an engineering roster with over a century of experience between them, you’re in the best hands in the business here.

They have the best brands stocked in their equipment room like Neumann, UAD Apollo, and AKG. Oh, and a Fender electric piano.

Prices and individual quotes are available upon request for this killer L.A. recording studio.

The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 323 465 4000
Website: https://paramountrecording.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 6245 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038 

2. EastWest Studios

EastWest Studios

If it’s good enough for The Beach Boys, Madonna, Frank Sinatra, and eighty-plus years of other famous recording artists, it is good enough for you.

They have had 171 Grammy-nominated songs in the past 11 years alone. 

It is hard to find a recording studio with the vibrant and iconic history of EastWest.

They are a veritable landmark on the Los Angeles creative map.

Heck, they’ve even created a short documentary about their historical roots.

They offer artists four recording studios stocked with grand pianos and high-ceilinged, acoustically-treated rooms.

They also have on hand the 80-channel Neve 8078 Console, the largest such console in the world.

They cultivate a full-service experience with room to lounge, write, create, and have one on one sessions with their engineering and mixing team. 

If you want to be treated like a musical legend before you’ve even recorded your first song, this is the place to do it. Reach out to the recording studio for a quote. 

The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 323 957 6969 ext #2
Website: https://www.eastweststudios.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 6000 West Sunset Boulevard, CA 90028

3. Sunset Sound

Sunset Sound recording studio

With an evocative name and an experience to match, Sunset Sound has borne witness to the sonic magic of Whitney Houston, Genesis, The Doors, Janis Joplin, and Kenny Loggins.

Founded in 1958 by Walt Disney’s director of recording, Tutti Camarata, Sunset Sound has been a key fixture in the various musical movements that have swept Los Angeles in the past six decades.

They’ve been behind 300 gold albums during their tenure and are one of the best music studios in L.A. to this day.  

They have a catalog of unreal vintage equipment and three echo chambers, a “lost art” that modern studios have largely overlooked since the turn of the century.

Their motto holds true in all that they do musically and stylistically: “High Quality In a Historical Custom Setting”.

This is an experience that any retro enthusiast needs to see to believe. Contact them directly for a quote.  

The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 323 469 1186
Website: https://www.sunsetsound.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 6650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 

4. Henson Recording Studio

Henson Recording Studio

Want a world-renowned blend of vintage character and modern tech? Henson’s L.A. recording studio is here and it’s calling your name.

Their engineering team was hand-selected for their detail-oriented approach, visionary mixing, and professionalism.

Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, and The Carpenters have all recorded at the studio. 

With four luxuriously appointed recording studios, you’ll easily find your voice at Henson. Each of their studios has a grand piano and vast floor space to capture every wisp of sound.

They also have an aquatic lounge that will make you feel like you’re underwater for lounging between sessions.  

They are one of the top-rated Los Angeles recording studios and are a go-to for the most professional names in the business. Reach out to them directly for a project quote. 

The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 323 856 6680
Website: http://www.hensonrecording.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1416 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

5. The Village

The Village recording studio

A world-class recording studio located in a 1920s masonic temple – how is that for eclectic street cred? The Village has a star-studded fan base including Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, Nick Cave, and Elton John.

They don’t discriminate either: they’ve recorded film scores, rock quartets, voice-overs, orchestras, and soloists. Their tagline? Recording Music, Recording History.

They will record in any format you request, from Mono to Dolby Atmos.

They have Antares autotune on hand, along with the best equipment from Avid, Soundtoys, Softube, and Waves. 

They offer four uniquely-appointed studios, an opulent and sultry Moroccan Room, and a sweeping auditorium for larger-than-life performances. They are open 24 hours for all you nightbirds out there.  

Contact their Los Angeles recording studio directly for a quote. 

The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 310 478 8227
Website: https://www.villagestudios.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1616 Butler Avenue, West Los Angeles, CA 90025

6. Golden Impala Recording Studio

Golden Impala Recording Studio

In everything they do, Golden Impala puts the artist first. Their passion is working with up-and-coming and unsigned artists and they focus on bringing out originality and personal vision.

There is proof in the pudding: they host monthly open mic shows that allow artists to jam out and grow their fanbase. The winner of the show wins free studio time.

At the end of every session, you will have a Spotify-ready track to release. They have expertise across genres, including rap, EDM, pop, rock, reggaeton, and soul.

Their studio uses a handful of high-end plugins, including Universal Audio, Antares Autotune, Fab-Filter, Sound Toys, Slate Digital, and Ozone. 

Keeping it real and relaxed at every turn, their rates are newcomer friendly. The rate is $49/per hour with a sound engineer and $30/per hour without a sound engineer.

The Nitty Gritty :

Telephone: 310 595 4578
Website: https://goldenimpala.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 3311 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004

7. MIX Recording Studio

MIX Recording Studio

Lauded by some musicians as their second home, MIX is a veritable musical ecosystem, one that focuses on cultivating warm, creative energy.

Moody shades of red, blue, and pink create a luxe, sensual atmosphere.

Along with a gear list that would make the most hardened rocker shed a tear, they also have a solid roster of engineers on hand.

Their engineers are skilled in rock, pop, and hip-hop, and can mix and master to your heart’s content.

Some have even been nominated for Grammy Awards, so you know they know their stuff.

Their recording studio is open 24 hours for late-night creativity, and they also have self-recording technology for those who want some enhanced privacy and creative control. 

Prices start at $19 an hour, making this an approachable choice indeed. 

The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 323 218 7475
Website: https://mixrecordingstudio.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 539 S Rampart Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

8. Ice Cream Sound Studios

Ice Cream Sound Studios

A cheeky name with the musical chops to back it up, Ice Cream is a prime, stylized urban L.A. recording experience.

They focus on experimentation, playfulness, creative audacity, and modern sounds.

They offer three atmospheric penthouse suites and sweeping views of the urban jungle to inspire the senses.

They have a bespoke and motivational team who will offer you pep talks and emotional support at every leg of the journey.

In their own words, their mission is to “help those passionate about music achieve industry quality recording without breaking the bank.”

If you have the vague contours of a song they offer instrumental services and will help you construct a beat from the ground up.

They also offer marketing and management services and will use their broad range of connections to get your songs heard by the right people. 

They are currently offering 50% off track recorded in-house. 

The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 323 760 7557
Website: https://www.icecreamsound.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

9. The Room Recording Studios

The Room Recording Studios

The Room is notorious for producing high-quality music in a luxe, expertly-designed environment.

Their Hollywood SSL 9000J Mixing Room is considered one of the best in the city.

They offer five studios around the greater Los Angeles area, and they are open 24 hours so you can call them whenever inspiration strikes. 

They can arrange practically any instrument or piece of tech you want at the studio and their list of preamps, compressors, microphones, and amplifiers will give you a well-earned headache.

Their moody blue lighting will make you feel like you’re a retro lounge icon. The owner of this L.A. music studio has been behind 11 Grammy-winning tracks. Maybe yours will be the next one?

With an emphasis on technical mastery and meticulous mastering, they won’t quit until your song sounds bulletproof.  

 The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 310 895 8553
Website: https://theroomstudios.us/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 7449 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046

10. Mad Muse Studios

Mad Muse Studios

With 4,000 sq ft of studio space, you can’t go wrong with a bit of Mad Muse. Their core belief is that a warm, inviting, creative space can take a song from A to Z.

No talent is an island and every creator needs a passionate and knowledgeable team behind them.  

Expertly-designed and acoustically-proofed rooms ensure that every beat and melody will sound its professional best.

They have a veritable zoo of vintage instruments, high-tech soundboards and amps, and an eclectic collection of mics on hand.

Their musical studio features a vintage SSL 8064 G+ console, one of the best in class.  

You will have to contact them for a quote but they have a nifty option that lets you share your estimated budget with them so they can best help you. 

The Nitty Gritty:

Telephone: 323 685 2054
Website: https://madmusestudios.com/
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1015 E 14th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Best Recording Studios in Los Angeles – Final Thoughts

Are you ready to appropriate the glitz, glamor, and illusion of Los Angeles for yourself? Amidst the freeways, beaches, and canyons, your creative opportunity is waiting for you.

Whether you want to cut your first single or record a multi-act symphonic epic, there is an L.A. recording studio fit for you.

With approachable prices and luxe full-service experiences on offer, you can choose the place that best suits both your budget and your vision.   

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Complete Guide to Music Production

Will Fenton

Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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