AfterHours
studios
After Hours Sessions With
Top-Flight Musicians

Rafa Sardina with Alejandro Sanz at After Hours

For Eleven-time Grammy Winner mixer, engineer Rafa Sardina (Stevie Wonder, Dr. Dre, Alejandro Sanz) work and play always happen after hours.

"Having my own place helps to offer my services to a wider group of artists and labels. I've been collecting cool gear for many years now and most of it is parked at After Hours," says Sardina who wanted a comfortable and musician-friendly environment to bring projects and be able to accommodate wide range of budgets. "It allows me to get more involved with a wider range of artists/bands or music that I love," says Sardina.

With Phil Ramone

The After Hours Studios is designed by Clayt Hudson, principal architect of COMPOS/IT/E with design credits to include: O'Henry Studio C, artist home studios, and NRG Recording Services.

"The design evolved from a very basic 'home studio' to one on par with commercial facilities. Rafa and I worked together to develop a working studio that would satisfy his Grammy-worthy demands and were able to maximize the existing spaces to become a dedicated recording/mixing environment experience," says the architect.


Poking fun with Cheche Alera

Sardina was one of the first Los Angeles-based independent producer to choose the SSL AWS 900+. Analogue Workstation System which also includes an SSL XLogic X-Rack packed with eight Dynamics modules.

More fun in the studio with Karina Ricco

The control room houses the ProTools HD system fully loaded with Apogee converters and plug-ins. "I wanted to have a tool that would help me mix to the level I'm used to.
I find that mixing 'in the box' doesn't satisfy my requirements, sonically speaking, especially in recording basic tracks," says Sardina.

The studios are booked for tracking, mixing, overdubs and MIDI sessions. After Hours Control rooms is generously appointed with well-maintained vintage and contemporary outboard equipment including an impressive microphone collection like a matched pair of the new Telefunken Ela M12 which is the recreation of the classic microhone manufactured in the 60s and considered one of the most desirable of the classic condenser tube microphones.


With Quincy Jones

"I'm also a huge fan of AT mics. What I love about these mics is their performance and versatility. Last year I found myself renting the mics on almost every session. So, finally I have a pair of my own," says Sardina. According to the engineer/mixer who has works with major artists at some of the worlds' top studios (Abbey Road, Chalice and Record Plant) he uses the mics for Drums and strings to vox and everything in between.

Sardina's eclectic credits include chart topping artists like Macy Gray, Jessy Moss, Dr. Dre, Luis Miguel, Sheryl Crow, Angie Stone and Alejandro Sanz.


Gregg Bissonette at After Hours

The main studio at After Hours can comfortably accommodate rhythm track sessions. After Hours has hosted Gregg Bissonette (Don Henley, Duran Duran, Ray Charles, and Carlos Santana) on drums and songwriter Matt Bissonette on bass.

"Your hospitality and engagement with our music was perfect. The boys had lot of fun cutting over ten songs in two days," says another band member, Joseph Bialik of Detroit Mutant Radio

With Maria Ochua and pirate/son, Xavier

"I'm producing songs for an upcoming new artist, Local Kid. I'm really excited about this band. They have a lot of soul and they're good story tellers," says Sardina.

Photo: Ed Freeman Courtesy of AT


Artist who have recorded at After Hours include:

Some of the new studio toys are:

Yup, clients are getting younger all the time!

Bookings or Private Studio Tours
Contact: studioexpresso