Has anyone had good/bad experiences here?

I took a 3 month recording class at Santa Fe. The studio itself is really hi quality. Doug, one of the owners and my instructor, once told me that the studio cost around $6 million to build.

There are several different rooms with all types of different sounds, etc. The studio has won numerous awards...including a grammy, I believe. However, it's f'in expensive. I'd say, for a local recording, you could probably save money and produce a quality product elsewhere...however, if you're itchin to spend$$$ and want the luxury of a professional studio, SF may be a good bet.

Honestly, I've never heard anything recorded there that I was overly impressed with. Don't know if that's just because the bands lacked a producer or if there were playability issues... Also a little over-priced, but then again - I'm a little biased.

Sid

http://www.sight16studios.com

Santa Fe Center is cheaper than Stepbridge. I am certain with a producer, you could get great results. Doug has top notch equipment, and I honestly have never set foot in a more acoustically sound studio in NM. I interned there for 2 years...your money is well spent as long as you know what you want to come out with. I recommend at least going and looking inside the studio. They are always happy to give tours.

i heard something from there recently. gotta say..for the money. go buy your own shit, and do it yourself.

the days of $6m (really? damn..) studios are going the way of the dinosaur.

The place is killer, and can offer a whole world of stuff that a standalone or PC can't touch. Every time I've been there, I've been reminded how good drums and guitars can sound if they're in space designed to let them breathe.

A post above mentioned a producer, and that's more important than most people realize. It's the studio's job to record you and/or your band however the paying customer says...but not really to produce. All studios end up producing somewhat, but someone that's studied the music and really has a strong idea how it should sound needs to be in the booth with Doug.

The capibility to get what ever sound you want is there, it's who you've got engineering and producing that will make the big difference. I don't know who Doug has over there right now, but, as talented as he is, I wouldn't use Doug for most of the bands that post to the board. Also, in the past, they've had some really good young engineers in there who are hungary and were great with getting edgier sounds. But it's been quite awhile since I was there so I can't be too much help.

PS you should pay a visit if nothing else but to check out their reverb chamber.

We recorded our first album there. and like everyone said its top notch. We also had a great engineer (Eric Larson R.I.P. we miss ya man) who really helped us out and made us sound simply awesome. Though it is true, u gotta throw down a damn pretty penny to record there. But if you got the money to spend, there is no other top notch facility here in alb quite like SFC.