Sweetwater Sound Reviews

[Al Quandt]

Post experiences and Reviews here.

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[bassjones]

I know some people have a very negative view of Sweetwater - both studio and retail - but I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with both. As to the studio:

I've not been a paying customer there, but I have been hired as a session player there (one of few local musicians to have been and I consider it an honor). At any rate, I always feel like I am treated like a professional when I do a session there, and I'm always very pleased with the work they've done. Very professional.

I've recorded at a couple of the "local" studios as well, and of those the best is Monastic Chambers. That said, the most "pro" studio in Fort Wayne is Sweetwater. The entire experience is not much different than working as a session player in Nashville - at least in my experience that's the case.

That said, I have enjoyed my limited experience with Jon at Monastic as well. I definitely don't consider him second rate at all. NoRA is very pleased.

Next time, I might push to go to Sweetwater though. Day rates are kind of high, but the night rates are great.

Also, if you've had a negative experience there in the past, and haven't been in over a year, Chris Liepe who now handles a majority of the engineering/producing duties for local bands is absolutely great. He'll work with you and give you the sound you want.

[DropListBass]

We have a session the 26th there. .

[bassjones]

I'm sure Chris will be there. The new guy is a recent Ball State grad, so he knows his stuff.

[DropListBass]

Yeah ..I hung out with him and zellars the other day....he seemed to know his stuff, but thats coming from someeone who doesnt. LOL...It was some pretty good stuff seeing him and JZ do some drunken "hit me baby one more time" at the bar Sat. night.

[Thakid2u]

I went in there twice. Was treated like I was amish. No offense to Amish, but I was treated like I didnt know what I was talking about. So, easy to say, I havent and wont go back in there.

This also goes for the Retail side too....lol

[Max Forbing]

i recorded a e.p there. cost the band 800$....simply put, it wasnt the sound for that genre of music...very dry sounding

[7WetCigarettes]

...(edited) thought I was in the retail section. sorry.

[Massage...Bored]

I've heard of people spending ridiculous amounts of cash for their recordings at that place and everytime they tell me how much they spent and then I hear the final product.......yeesh! What the Hell did they just pay for? At least Sturm was bright enough to bring in a guy that could run the boards properly. I've honestly heard better sounding recordings from a four track analog deck.

[bassjones]

Give it a try with Chris running the boards. That's all I'll say. He's very good.

Also, Mastering has allot to do with the final sound. More in fact than the recording and mixing. I've always prefered and recommend sending the final mixdown out to another facility for mastering. Fresh set of ears, plus mastering is an art unto itself and requires a different skillset than mixing. It also takes years of experience to get it right.

I would record at Sweetwater and send the final mix, pre-master out to a mastering facility. Then you'd see a completely different product. A vastly superior product in my opinion.

[flapjacks]

I've heard of people spending ridiculous amounts of cash for their recordings at that place and everytime they tell me how much they spent and then I hear the final product.......yeesh! What the Hell did they just pay for? At least Sturm was bright enough to bring in a guy that could run the boards properly. I've honestly heard better sounding recordings from a four track analog deck.

harsh

[Massage...Bored]

I calls 'em like I see's 'em.

[ObieRiot]

sweetwater studios is a total joke. who cares if they got every mic in the planet? every recording comes out over compressed and bland as a creed album.
check out the ensomberoom instead for some real character in your recording.