24 February 16-22, 2023 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Track Minds 10 of the best recording studios in Dallas-Fort Worth. BY MOLLY MOLLOTOVA I n the music industry, few people are more important that the producers and engineers. The right kind of pro- duction of your record can really make or break you. That’s why finding a pro- duction team that fits your needs is so im- portant. Sure, it’s easy to see flashy equipment, big names and trendy Instagram photos and think that’s what you need to make it big, but you’d be wrong. Producers are one part musician, one part therapist and one part guidance counselor, and it’s their special brand of magic that can take a good project to even greater heights. The Dallas area has become a hub for production studios over the years, attracting big artists, massive productions and a lot of clout. Here are some of the studios that are getting it done: Audio Dallas (Garland) Artists who dig it: Willie Nelson, Alessia Cara, Migos Primary genres: Everything Audio Dallas has been a staple of Dallas’ music scene since the ’80s, and it doesn’t look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. Founded by chief engineer and pro- ducer Paul Osborn, this studio has the dis- tinction of being the first 24-track studio in Texas. Numerous Gold and Platinum, Grammy-nominated projects have been re- corded and mixed here, including Willie Nelson’s iconic album, Red Headed Stranger. Audio Dallas has a four-room setup that includes a control room and a space for tracking, allowing for plenty of room to spread out and get comfortable. The equip- ment and design is exactly what you’d ex- pect from an studio like AD — loads of vintage microphones and instruments, a Neve VR-60 console, digital and analog tracking machines. Osborn and his team are known for their flexibility, both in their willingness to work within artists’ budgets and the type of work needed for a project. So, if you’re looking for a studio that’s got a lengthy résumé of excel- lence and is committed to helping you find your sound, Audio Dallas might be the one for you. Denim Diablo Sound (East Dallas) Artists who dig it: Kirk Holloway, King Clam, izzy ded Primary genres: Americana, Rock, Country Nestled in an East Dallas neighborhood, Denim Diablo Sound is one of the coolest home production studios you probably never heard of. Built within a fully con- verted, oversized garage space, Denim Dia- blo offers clients high-quality production, vintage equipment and the occasional rub- ber chicken, all in a more intimate, low- stress environment. The studio’s founder, The Roomsounds frontman Ryan Michael, began his produc- tion journey at the age of 15, when his pop- punk band Dead Legends needed to record a demo. Since then, he’s become absolutely “nutty” about it. Michael went from rudi- mentary recordings out of his bedroom to recording tracks in his band’s old jam pad and finally investing in a more elevated, high-quality space that allows him the free- dom to produce his way. “At the end of the day,” he said, “you re- ally want [your producer] to be a good hang — someone who you can sit in a room with for 10+ hours, and who won’t turn into an asshole when things get stressful — a little bit like Yoda or Beau Bedford [Modern Elec- tric Sound Recorders].” Element Sound (Richardson) Artists who dig it: Kaash Paige, Rafa, Loren Cole Primary genres: R&B, Hip-Hop, Experimental Engineering wizard O.Z. Billik joined the legendary Kitchen Studios in 2003 and has made quite a name for himself within the hip-hop, pop and experimental space. By April 2021, he knew it was time to strike out on his own, and that’s when Element Sound was born. Element Sound prides itself on offering top-tier equipment, instruments and pro- duction tools, but aesthetically speaking, Billik says he had a vision for something bit different. “[It’s a] fully commercial space, complete with all the amenities you’d normally expect, but in terms of aes- thetic, it’s more of a home studio vibe, be- cause when you’re working all night long, you want it to be cozy,” he said. Keeping things more intentional and minimal al- lows his clients to interject more of them- selves into their work, rather than be subconsciously influenced or feel pres- sured to perform a certain way—or, as Bil- lik puts it, “It’s like the little black dress of production studios.” His approach seems to be working. Since opening its doors almost two years ago, Element Sound has been fully booked, at least one month out, and his clients range from pop singers to church groups, vocal coaches and hip-hop artists. “Like, 90% of this business is similar to a tattoo artist or hair stylist. It’s not really about the facility anymore, as much as it is the person you’ll work with,” he said. “We all have equipment. We all have our tools, but the difference between a good experience and a bad experience nowadays is really how you vibe with the person.” The Kitchen Studios (Lakewood) Artists who dig it: Erykah Badu, Wiz Khalifa, Andre 3000 Primary genres: Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B The Kitchen really doesn’t need an intro- duction, but we’ll do one anyway. This Dal- las studio has been around for more than 30 years and has a track record of attracting some of the biggest names in hip-hop and rap to its humble Garland Road location. In fact, the Kitchen is mentioned by name on the Pimp C track “I Know Ya Strapped,” an ode to one particularly “wild” night at the studio, back in the ’90s. The Kitchen’s not just another big-name hit factory. The studio’s owner, J.P. Painter, is all about giving back to Dallas’ music scene and loves helping new, local artists navigate the world of production. That makes sense, as a lot of Painter’s A-list connections are a byproduct of his working relationship with Erykah Badu. “She’s been a real blessing,” Painter says. Badu’s interest in the studio led to more industry connections, more major- label work and even a spot on Universal Mu- sic Group’s studio vendor list. Klearlight Studio (Mesquite) Artists who dig it: Anderson .Paak, RC &The Gritz, Tyler, The Creator Primary genres: Hip-Hop, Experimental, Indie Klearlight Studio was founded in 2007 by Jay Jernigan and Jimi Bowman, two friends who had been recording and making music together since the ‘90s. Back then, Bowman was a hardcore metalhead and Jernigan was an avant-garde, synth superfan. Together, they’ve created a unique, intimate recording space that speaks to the inner gear-nerd and offers clients access to rare, sometimes one- of-a-kind equipment that adds a level of depth most producers can only dream about. This studio has made a name for itself for its next-level professionalism, extreme dis- cretion and impressive collection of gear. Here, artists can come and go as they please, without worrying about outside interrup- tions or fanboys lurking around the corner. And it’s a big part of why artists such as Erykah Badu, James Poyser of the Roots and Ariel Pink head to the off-the-radar location just outside of Dallas. Luminous Sound (Addison) Artists who dig it: Lady Gaga, Kirk Franklin, Blake Shelton Primary genres: Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop For more than 20 years, Luminous Sound has been one of Dallas’ premier audio re- cording and production studios and for good reason: The studio was founded by Grammy-nominated composer and musi- cian Paul Loomis and co-operated by three- time Grammy Award-winning engineer, mixer and producer Tre Nagella. Loomis built a reputation as one of the country’s leading experts in advertising by L. Shaefer/Getty Images North Texas recording artists have plenty of choices when looking for a studio and producer to help create their sound. ▼ Music
