LA Studio Location?

[SLS]

Hi all,

I may be building a recording studio in the LA area some time in the near future. This studio is for basically one client, and is not dependant on outside work.

My question is, if you were in my situation, what would be your ideal location? Hopefully it would be within an hour or two of LA.

It would be a high end studio (funded by the client ) but again, not in competition with other studios. And not being familiar with the area, I was hoping I could get some suggestions on areas to look into.

Thanks!
Adam

[blackcatdigi]

I really like Malibu..
I seem to remember YAZ or YELLO, (or something like that) having a studio on the colony. And didn't Sylvia Massey do a tool record somewhere out there before she moved?

Actually, anything on the coast would make for a nice control room view... Sure beats the black-hole of a cave I live in. fuuck

[smoothmoniker]

If you take the 118 Freeway all the way West until it goes 2 lane, there is a little valley in Ventura county called Somis. The valley is beautiful, and the 118 takes you back into burbank in an hour.

There are massive houses built into these little twists of the valley, surrounded by citrus trees and flower fields. Property is cheaper than in LA, and you can build on the back lot. County Property, so zoning is easy. Noise floor is practically zero, totally isolated.

Anyway, that's my pick.

-sm

[RKrizman]

Originally posted by blackcatdigi
[
Actually, anything on the coast would make for a nice control room view... ]

I used to work at a beachside studio in Malibu and remember the owners complaining about the moisture and salty air compromising the equipment. Something to think about, anyway.

One big factor in choosing a location is how much your client needs access to the L.A. music culture, in terms of other musicians, engineers, support services, (rentals, technicians, etc.) and so forth.

-R

[fifthcircle]

I've got a colleague who lives near the water in Long Beach... Stuff in his studio is *always* dying... The salt in the air destroys all rubber, plastic and any reactive metal (silver is included in that).

I'd think twice before locating near the ocean. Or, if you do, make sure you have a good air filter to protect your gear.

--Ben

[imacgreg]

Santa Barbara is hard to beat. I work at a commercial facility here in the city and we have not had any problems with moisture or anything. My boss used to build studios in the area, and does technical and wiring support for most of the facilities in the Goleta, SB, and Montecito areas. Feel free to PM me for more info on the "scene". Oh yeah, it takes us about a hour and a half to get to Studio City/Hollywood.

ian

[Bob Olhsson]

I'd want the location to be extremely convenient for session musicians with seriously good parking. This could make all the difference in the world to the quality of your client's projects even if, like most, your client doesn't really want to admit it would.

[SLS]

Hey great suggestions! Hmm, salt content in the air....darn, and I was getting excited about ocean views

The reason for basing it in LA is to tap into the vast music industry and culture in the area. Session musicians, producers, etc. Hopefully we can find a place that is both convenient, yet comfortable.

Someone suggested I look into Santa Monica. Any thoughts there? We of course have considered putting it in a location like Burbank or similar. Those are still options.

[Berolzheimer]

I've got a nice hillside lot in Glendale, maybe we can work something out...

[tunesmith]

For something closer to L.A. I would also have to mention Manhattan Beach. Or anything, for that matter, on the whole Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo beach stretch.

Further north, not easily or quickly accessed, is the beautiful and more resonalby priced Manadalay Bay section of Oxnard. A lot of SoCal charm in Ventura county.

Tunes

[Dave Martin]

Originally posted by Bob Olhsson
I'd want the location to be extremely convenient for session musicians with seriously good parking.

Is there ANY place in LA that's seriously convenient fot anyone?

[Cornvalley]

Interesting prediciment....I've been here 30 years since age 20 (i guess that makes me 50...yeah that's right) and the way things are evolving here I think the Somis Valley idea mentioned previously off the 118 sounds like a great area. Still close to the coast but not on it (you really would regret that, equipment wise), there's Santa Barbra close by for get aways, and close enough to the city (LA) proper to snag good players on occasion. Land and house prices are somewhat less too.
The town of Ojai is a wonderful locale (just SE of Santa Barbra, inland) that still is within reach of pro players for sessions. No direct freeway access has left it very secluded from the LA rat race vibe. (pic included)
For the closest to the city and players, Burbank still has some great charm with housing plus all kind of studios are within miles of each other. Smog is quite bad there though.
Investigate Somis Valley, sounds like I might drive out there today just for the hell of it.
Good luck searching....

[Bob Olhsson]

Originally posted by Dave Martin
Is there ANY place in LA that's seriously convenient for anyone?

There are several studio "neighborhoods" dedicated to particular kinds of work and clients. A lot of musicians, actors, producers, ad agencies and gear rental companies travel regular routes between studios every day.

[RKrizman]

Originally posted by AdamONE

Someone suggested I look into Santa Monica. Any thoughts there? We of course have considered putting it in a location like Burbank or similar. Those are still options. [/B]

Santa Monica would be my first choice. (I live there, but my studio's in Venice). There is industrial space available, you're in a beach community but won't be right on the ocean. It's an immensely liveable town with it's own little vibe, but is very accessible to L.A./Hollywood. There is an increasing entertainment industry presence here, there are world class restaurants, and it's not too far away to call anyone for a session. Once you get past Venice (also an interesting option--funkier, more earthy), to Manhattan Beach or beyond, it becomes an extra long commute, more like the outer valley or Santa Barbara.

Santa Monica is expensive, but I think it's one of the greatest places on the planet. I own real estate here (nothing you'd be interested in) and can connect you with someone reliable who knows the market if you're interested. Can we do PM's on this forum? Well, you can e-mail me at RKrizman@aol.com if you need further info.

Good luck,
-R

[Fletcher]

Man o man does that look lovely... insure the shit out it, it also looks like one of those 'wild fires' from hell' waiting to happen.

[Cornvalley]

Man o man does that look lovely

Yeah they even have motorcycles out there. As to the fire concern...some areas are more risky than others....even just by an arcre away. Brush clearing, tile roofs...you know, ya gotta be smart about it. Ojai is a special place for me.

[SLS]

Yeah, nice view! This has been real educational for me. I can't wait to get out there to scout things out for myself. I would like to spend about two weeks looking around, meeting with realtors, etc.

[smoothmoniker]

a lot of the agricultural land in Ventura County is locked into green belt preserves, meaning the owner hasn't paid property taxes for years, but if anyone wants to buy it and use for anything other than agriculture, they have to pay all of the back property taxes from the date it went into the preserve.

That's gonna be millions of dollars per acre, on top of purchase price and development price. The whole place is gonna stay green for a long, long time.

-sm [missing his youth in VC]

[Oldone]

I would vote for Santa Barabara. Lot's of ex-music stars in this city.

Just over from Somis is the Santa Paul valley, another nice location.