Sound City Studios facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sound City Studios

Address	15452 Cabrito Road, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, 91406
Location	Los Angeles, California
Opened	1969

Sound City Studios is a famous recording studio in Los Angeles, California. For decades, it was known as one of the best places in the world to record popular music, especially rock and roll.

The studio opened in 1969 in a building that used to be a factory for Vox musical instruments. It quickly became famous for its unique sound. Bands loved recording there because it made their drums and live performances sound amazing.

Hundreds of famous artists have recorded music at Sound City. This includes legends like Johnny Cash, Neil Young, and Fleetwood Mac. Rock bands like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Metallica also made classic albums there. More than 100 albums recorded at Sound City have sold millions of copies, earning gold and platinum awards.

In 2011, the studio closed to the public and sold some of its famous equipment. Musician Dave Grohl, who played drums for Nirvana, bought the studio's special mixing board. He even made a documentary film about the studio called Sound City. In 2017, Sound City reopened and is once again a place where artists can record music.

The Story of Sound City

How It All Began

Sound City Studios was started in 1969 by two friends, Joe Gottfried and Tom Skeeter. They wanted to manage artists and start their own record company. To make their studio the best, they bought a very special piece of equipment. It was a custom-made recording console from a famous engineer named Rupert Neve.

This mixing board, called the Neve 8028 console, cost over $75,000. It was one of only four like it in the world. This console was the secret to the studio's incredible sound. The first song recorded on it was by a duo called Buckingham Nicks. Their music was so good that they were asked to join the band Fleetwood Mac.

A Hub for Music Legends

During the 1970s, Sound City became a popular spot for many great musicians. Artists like Neil Young, Dr. John, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers recorded hit songs there. In 1976, Fleetwood Mac recorded part of their album Rumours at the studio. This album went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the studio was busier than ever. It was the place to be for rock bands. Producer Rick Rubin brought many artists to Sound City. He recorded the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the legendary Johnny Cash there. He also recorded Metallica's album Death Magnetic, which went straight to number one on the charts.

One of the most famous albums recorded at Sound City was Nevermind by Nirvana in 1991. This album changed rock music forever and made the studio even more famous.

Changes and a Comeback

After many successful years, the studio closed to the public in 2011. Much of the equipment was sold. Dave Grohl, the drummer from Nirvana and singer for Foo Fighters, bought the famous Neve console. He moved it to his own studio, Studio 606.

From 2011 to 2016, a record label called Fairfax Recordings used the studio for its own artists. They kept the main recording room the same but updated some of the equipment.

In 2017, Sound City reopened to the public. The new owners made sure to keep the classic feel of the studio. While they added some modern technology, the main studio room has not been changed since 1969. This helps preserve the amazing sound that made it a legend.

What Makes the Sound City Sound Special?

Sound City is most famous for its amazing drum sound. Musicians said you could just set up a drum kit in the room and it would sound perfect. The shape and materials of the room created a powerful, punchy sound that was hard to find anywhere else.

Producer Rick Rubin once said that while guitars sound good in most studios, the drum sound at Sound City was one of the best. When Metallica was looking for a place to record their album Death Magnetic, their producer played them a recording of a bass drum. The band loved the sound and chose Sound City without even knowing where it was from.

Dave Grohl also loved the studio's sound. When the band Nine Inch Nails asked him to play drums on some of their songs, he agreed on one condition: they had to record at Sound City.

To protect this special sound, the owners have been very careful. They have never repainted the walls or changed the floor tiles in the main studio. They worried that even a small change could alter the room's unique sound quality.

Famous Albums Recorded at Sound City

Here is a short list of some of the many hit albums recorded at the studio.

See also

• Comparison of analog and digital recording