ilovefuzz.com

So I've got a couple of bands that might be ready to record by the end of the year. We're in the Bay Area but going up or down the coast might make for a nice change of scenery to record and maybe get some shows in. I'd like to get a list of quality studios to check out from people with either direct experience or with trusted friends that have actually used the studios and somewhat recently. So any place on or near the west coast would be great, big or small, cheap or high end.

What I'm looking for: good sounding large live room, preferably analog options (not ruling out digital but just about everyone has that), large mic/preamp selection, an engineer willing to try some unusual/creative methods to get good tracks, a general good vibe to the space to foster creativity.

Where I've recorded: Ear Hammer in West Oakland with Sal Raya. Nice large live room, not the nest ambience or the largest mic selection but Sal knows how to get the heavy stuff done right without turning things to mud. Sal had a lot of good mixing ideas and he really records bass well. It's an inexpensive studio but you'll get a high quality recording. I've a lot of other people that have used him and Greg (I forget his last name) also records there and they've all been really good.

I've also recorded with Tim Geeen but that was at his old studio in SF so I'm not sure how his new one relates.

Nobody has recorded at a studio on the west coast that they actually liked?

check out Antisleep. It's operated by Scott Evans from Kowloon Walled City. Dude knows his shit.

http://antisleep.com/

Many say the Red Room in Seattle is cool...

My house. Cause its cheap

I wonder how much Billy Anderson charges for studio time? I'd imagine he's not cheap, but who knows? If you don't already know, he's worked with The Melvins, Sleep, Mr. Bungle, Bongzilla, plus a dozen or so other bands.