Studio West

News and Events

5/1/2009 Local Film Mix Wraps at Studio West - "Well Done" hits the Festival Circuit

Local San Diego film producers Amy Boles and Kyle Wagner recently finished their second film "Well Done" at Studio West of San Diego. Shot and edited locally, it seemed a good fit to have them stay in the area for the audio post and the final mix.

Much of the film takes place in a working restaurant's kitchen. With hood and fan noise present almost all the time, as well as periodic kitchen noises happening in the background during the shoot, it was nearly impossible to use production dialog for about 60% of the film. Because of this, we decided early on to replace all dialog from the kitchen scenes, and this eventually led to replacing all the dialog in the film. "I think there may have been two or three lines that we used from original production sound", say Mark Kirchner, the film mixer. The actors came into the studio over a period of 3 weeks and all the principal actors parts were re-recorded. Most of the background audio was also replaced though-out the film. In all, we spent close to 150 hours in audio post.

We're very happy with the final mix and we think the client is too. "It's really amazing what artful sound design can do for a film. I had read that before, but now I'm a believer", says Amy Boles of the finished mix.

Primary dialog recording (ADR), Foley and Sound Design were completed by Gary Miranda and the mix was done by Mark Kirchner. Interns of the studio and a few students from The Recording Arts Center (located at Studio West) helped with the Foley recording on the three month project. Thanks to Brandon Puda, Edgar Robledo and Craig Nelson for their help.

For more on the film "Well Done", check out...
http://www.bluegradient.org/movies/WellDone/production.html

4/24/2009 Happy Spring!

Typical of the season, we are bursting forth in all our glory! Internationally re-nowned producers Kiko Cibrian and Alan sanderson have both done work here over the last few months with various clients. Tim pyles, DJ for The Local Show on 94/9 stopped by to do a "Pyles Session" with local band Worthy Gubbins. He airs the recordings on his show, Sunday nights at 8pm. Local artists: Allegra, bluesman Johnny V, and Josh Damigo with producer Jeremy Rubilino were in studio recently. Plus, Actress Susanna Thompson from the NBC series Kings has been in studio to do dialog for a handful of episodes.

3/20/09 LOVE-IN, the theatrical musical celebration of the "Summer of Love" was recorded by Studio West at the Birch North Park Theater in San Diego over four evenings in September of 08.

The HD show is now released in DVD format and features electrifying live performances by legendary artists interwoven with rare historic footage. 128 tracks were required to capture the show each night. While the visual element of the show was edited in LA, the massive audio project was assembled at Studio West and premixed for ADR, vocal and instrumental overdubs. Editing and overdubs took the better part of 3 months. The show is mixed in Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound.Tony Award-winning Broadway star, BEN VEREEN takes his guests on an exciting musical journey through the explosive 1960's. The DVD contains performances featuring the likes of Grammy Award-winning guitarist, ERIC JOHNSON, JESSE COLIN YOUNG, PETER & GORDON, STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK, VINCE MARTELL, EARL THOMAS, KARTIK SESHADRI, and the late, great BUDDY MILES in his final recorded performance.

http://loveinthemusical.com/

3/16/09

Don't miss SD's very first Pro Tools user group (SDPTUG) meeting here at StudioWest on Tues. 3/24 at 6:30pm in Studio A: "What's New and Great in Pro Tools 8" + Elastic Audio & Elastic Pitch. Call to R.S.V.P.

Congratulations to the SD6 Songwriting competition winner!

Pullman Standard with their song, "Our Town"

12/5/08 Also serving your audio production needs for video games, film, TV and radio!

We recently finished sound design and 7.1 Surround Sound mixing for 13 minutes of in-game movie for a major video game developer. The cut scenes were designed and animated by a local San Diego animation studio. With Mark Kirchner supervising the audio project at Studio West, intern Brandon Papsldero took the lead with help from intern Gary Miranda on Foley. During the seven week project we maxed out the HD 5 system in Studio C on several of the sequences ending up well over 150 tracks of sounds design and Foley. We were also asked to complete editing and mixing of dialog stems for localization in Russian, Spanish, French, German and Italian. In the end, the animation turned out looking fantastic and the client was very happy with our sound design and final mixes.

We've got two more film projects in the pipeline. If you're based in the San Diego area and you produce video games, television, film or radio spots, we'd love to have you stop by for a tour of our recently upgraded facilities. Ask for Astra, Peter or Mark for more on our audio post production facilities and audio to picture.

11/2/08 SONG WRITING CONTEST!

Studiowest has partnered with San Diego 6 – New Home of the CW, 91X, KPRI Radio and San Diego CityBeat Co-Sponsor San Diego Song Contest, Offer Local Musicians Chance to Write About America’s Finest City!

San Diego – XETV San Diego 6 – New Home of the CW; Studio West, a local recording studio, and San Diego City Beat, a weekly alternative newspaper, are partnering with KPRI Radio/The Homegrown Hour and 91X Radio to promote a city-wide music contest for an original song about San Diego – the “Your Song for San Diego Contest.”  The winning song will be used by XETV as a Theme Song for San Diego 6  (SD 6) and the prize package for winning writer(s) includes $2500 of recording studio time, radio air-play and appearances on SD 6 TV.  Original songs may be submitted in person or by mail, on a CD, between 5:00 am, October 27th, 2008 and 5:00 pm, January 30th, 2009 (PST).  Winner will be announced in February, 2009.  For more details or to download an official registration form, visit: www.SanDiego6.com.

10/15/08 Despite the failing economy we are still rocking!

A true testament to the value of music and the entertainment business. Historically, music has thrived in times of war and crisis. Hopefully, we are in the beginning of an even bigger boom!

Freedom Sessions winner, Circa Now, have finished their latest track to be included on the next Staring at the Sun local San Diego artist compilation.

L.A. rock band Sturgeon just mixed their record with on staff engineer Kellogg Boynton. Young up and coming songwriter, Luke Walton, is back recording some more tracks, and the horn section from local heroes Slightly Stoopid were here recording tracks for Apollo 8.

9/10/08 The Latest!

We have recently begun an ongoing relationship with the folks from The X List, a TV show soon to launch on CBS.

The Jazz Ensemble, a project showcasing San Diego's most gifted youth, finished their album project with engineer Caleb Keiter. Local pop/punk band Radio Racer finished their latest single here and is planning on coming back soon.

Studo owner and drummer, Peter Dyson, finally found some time to record some tracks with his English buddies. Congratulations Peter!

8/15/08 San Diego Music Awards!

Congratulations to all nominees including our own studio manager, Astra Kelly, who's nomintaed in the "Best Acoustic" category! Vote for all your favorite local talents now. Click their logo to vote.

8/7/08 Congratulations!

San Diego rock band CircaNow will be coming in soon to record after winning two days of studiotime from local band competition, "The Freedom Sessions." Bands performed and the winner was chosen by a panel of judges at Canes on August 6th. Staff enginner Kellogg Boynton was one of those judges...they even drug him up on stage!

8/1/08 Recent Sessions!

Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, Olivia Harrison, engineer Paul Hicks and crew locked out two days in Studio C for a listening session. Keep an eye out for their upcoming live DVD release in surround sound!

We finished four local records this week! Songwriters Nathan James and Erick Macek, metal band Mordium, and punk band Seenless. Thanx for choosing Studio west guys! We had a blast.

Other sessions of note include voiceover sessions for NPR, upcoming film My Life in Ruins (Richard Dreyfuss) and Trading Spaces (Paige Davis).

7/9/08 Knowledge is Power!

Musicians and music lovers...you don't want to miss this! San Diego's first annual Music Conference and Showcase happens Saturday, August 2nd. Music industry panel discussions during the day and join StudioWest at Claire De lune in Normal Heights in the evening as we record acoustic acts on two stages. Pre-registration is only $12.50 and gets you into ALL of the panel discussions and all of the venues. It even includes shuttle service to all venues! Visit northbynorthpark,com for all details.

6/12/08

NBC along with Mickey Holden Productions booked Studio West's post room, Studio C to voice and mix The US Open Challenge, a celebrity golf event played at Torrey Pines a week prior to the US Open beginning. Celebs included Tony Romo, Justin Timberlake and Matt Lauer of the Today Show. The marathon 26 hour session started with NBC announcers Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller coming in early to add prerecorded commentary for the event. An evening of mixing followed and the final mixes were driven back to the NBC compound at Torrey Pines, laid back to tape and flown to New York to get into the broadcast cue. The hour long show aired on NBC in HD one hour before the opening of the final round of the US Open.

3/25/08

We just keep on rocking!

Studio A is seeing lots of action! Local Artists: Nathan James and Erick Macek have both recently begun album projects. Dayton Hicks continues laying down tracks for his upcoming release. Local band Christopher, Cole and Campbell start their demo this evening with production assistance from our own studio manager, Astra Kelly.

Christina Einsel, an upcoming singer/songwriter from Nashville finished her record with in-house producer Marti Amado and a band of pro San Diego session musicians. We can hook you up with some great local players for your project as well. Just ask!

Richard Dreyfuss is in Studio C recording voiceover to play the role of Moses for a forthcoming audio release of the Bible. Other sessions in C include VO for Comedy Central and BBC, ADR for Paramount Pics/Marvel Comics forthcoming Iron Man film, and editing for episodes of Blue Planet.

2/15/08

It's been a busy year so far

Dion Graham (Wired) was in recording voiceover for The First 48 Also in Studio C, post sessions for Starship Dave a film out soon via 20th Century Fox, and Cartel. Plus, Mayor Sanders stopped by to do a session just today!

Studio A is rocking as well! Local artists DJ Marx, Candice Graham, Goodnight Caulfield, Chris Fitzsimmons, and Josh Franks are all working on record projects right now.

The Recording Arts Center, now open a year, is thriving. Stop by our downtown campus and see us for Evenings in East Village on Feb. 29th from 5-9pm.

Thanx to all our customers and friends! Your success is our success.

1/15/08 Happy New year!

May all your audio endeavors be realized and may we have the opportunity to assist you!

12/01/07 Give the Gift of Music!

If you're having trouble figuring out what to get the musically inclined person on your xmas list, how about a few hours of Studio time? We promise, he or she will love you forever! Gift certificates available. Call for more information.

11/13/07 Out and About

Studiowest and The Recording Arts Center are sponsoring the KPRI Homegrown Live concert series. The first concert was a smash success! Congratulations to Ken Rahn for winning the studiotime and to Chris Leyva from the band Blizzard who won the Pro Tools plug ins and discounted Pro Audio class! The next Homegrown Live concert happens Friday, December 7th at Brick By Brick/Lot 81. Stop by, visit and hear some excellent local rock bands....our own studio manager, Astra Kelly, Fight the Fear Acoustic, War Stories, Dynamite Walls, and Pete Stewart and the Plastic Saviors!

11/05/07 NEWS!

Orange County rock band Using Gray finshed tracking their record after two weeks of lock-outs in Studio A, they'll be back to mix soon. We are proud to have A Way With Words in Studio C every friday recording their radio show for KPBS. Local producer and musician Jeff Pekarek is working on two large projects presently.

Local bands: Broke on Friday will be back to mix their record, Bill stopped by to record some piano tracks, and Abigails Attic performed and recorded with a live audience!.

10/25/07: FIRE UPDATE!

It has obviously been tough few days here in San Diego in general and specifically our home community of Rancho Bernardo. Over 200 houses have been destroyed by wild fires within a mile or two of the studio and our thoughts go out to all those affected. Luckily the studio itself was not directly in the path of the fires and we escaped without damage, although we were closed for 5 days and have some cleaning up to complete.

Some staff members live in areas that were under mandatory evacuation, but again all our families and homes are OK.

Thanks for all the messages of concern from clients and friends of the studio and we look forward to working with you in the near future.

8/27/07

Studiowest welcomes singer songwriter and radio personality, Astra Kelly, as our new studio manager. Give her a ring to introduce yourself or swing on by! As always we're here for all your recording needs. True to the diversity we are accustomed to here, recent clients have included: WWE superstar, Rey Mysterio, Last Comic Standing, another successful Live Lunchtime Jazz Series, and local bands, The Orange Velvets, Maddox Revolution, and Jennifer Lee.

Press 7/27/07

Live Lunchtime Jazz Series with Ruby Blue, aired LIVE on Jazz 88! Another successful performance today! See Ruby's interview in The Pomerado Newspaper! CLICK HERE
These concerts are free but you must register in advance, visit Jazz 88 Online for registration details. The next Live lunchtime jazz Series will be on Friday, August 24th.

The Recording Arts Center

Studio West is on TRAC! The Recording Arts Center, formerly Studio West Training, now has two Digidesign-certified locations to serve you: North County in Rancho Bernardo and downtown on 9th Avenue. Visit tracsd.com for more info.

May 7, 2007

Wolfmother was in Studio A this week, taking a short break from their American tour.

Live Lunchtime Jazz Series

Studio West, in partnership with San Diego's Jazz 88 radio station is pleased to be hosting a series of Live Lunch Jazz Concerts, that will be broadcast live on air. The first concert is scheduled for June 30th and will feature the Sue Palmer Quartet. It's a free concert but seats are limited, so go to Jazz 88's web site (http://jazz88online.org/) for registration details.

June 6th, 2006

Studio West is happy to be hosting the San Diego Songwriters Guild for the 2006 Performing Songwriters Contest. On Wednesday, June 7th, a panel of judges will be reviewing entries and narrowing the field down to 8 acts who will perform at the Belly Up in Solana beach on July 5th. Got to www.sdsongwriters.org for more information.

Coming Soon!

Studio West is pleased to announce that we will be hosting the San Diego leg of the Pro ToolsŪ Go Mobile Tour on June 1st and 2nd. This unique event offers free one-hour training sessions that provide an in-depth introduction to Pro Tools systems and focus on the creative power of Pro Tools 7 software. Go to www.digidesign.com and look under the 'Events' tab for more details and registration info.

May 1st, 2006

May is shaping up to be an exciting month at Studio West. We are putting the finishing touches to the completely renovated Studio B. It should be on line by the end of the month and will be a truly amazing room. With the 56 input SSL 4000 series console attached to a huge Protools HD-3 Accel rig and a world class array of outboard gear, we will have the perfect complement to Studio A's live space. One of the most exciting aspects of the new room is the ability to do world class surround mixing. The Dynaudio 7.1 monitoring will enable Studio West's experienced engineers to deliver outstanding mixes in surround, and we believe we are the first commerically available 7.1 DTS surround room in San Diego. As soon as pictures of Studio B become available we will be posting them on this site, so stay tuned.

10th April, 2006

Studio A is a unique place to record live drums. The variable acoustic design of the room combined with our world class SSL console, Pro Tools HD-3 rig and wide range of outboard gear are all critical elements to capturing 'that' sound. But maybe the single most important factor in recording great drums is how the kit itself sounds. No amount of tweaking with software or hardware can make up for poorly tuned drums, cracked cymbals or beat up heads, so we are happy to offer drum tech and tuning services for clients. For details, call the studio on 858 592 9497 and ask for Peter or Ari.

3rd April, 2006

Clients in Studio A and C are now able to enjoy the complete Waves Platinum Bundle of audio processing plug ins. This bundle includes Clone, Tune LT, L3 Multimaximizer, and IR-L Convolution Reverb as well as all the plug-ins found in Platinum, Restoration and Transform bundles. Something for everyone!

March 20th, 2006

The writers, producers, cast and band of "Too Old For The Chorus" will be recording with us this week.

March 7th, 2006

A busy start to March... Years Around The Sun tracked material for an upcoming release in Studio A, Southwest Airlines ISDN session with Digital Domain Studios in Austi, TX (Studio C), Undecided (Studio A).

March 6th, 2006

Welcome to the new Studio West website! We hope that it gives you a clear idea of what Studio West is all about and that you will find it informative and easy to use. If you have any suggestions or comments, please send them to record@studiowest.com. Thanks!

Feb 3rd, 2006

This week saw P.O.D. at Studio West engineered by Travis Wyrick from Knoxville, TN.