Kawari Sound Recording Studios, Wyncote PA

Kawari Sound Studios has a faculty that is great to work with, flexible and stocked with a huge assortment of gear. There faculty is super friendly, knowledgeable at what they do and extremely talented. The location is in a comfortable, inspiring setting. From our experience it felt like a comfy, vintage equipment museum. I can’t wait to come back, our band really enjoyed our experience at Kawari Sound Studios!

The single most terrible experience in two decades of recording.

I'm sincerely glad that other people have had a positive experience at Kawari and want to stress that there's no personal grudge or perceived slight on behalf of my band and myself, and perhaps it really was just a case of it just being "us, not them"- but our experience at Kawari (in March 2018) was beyond the pale in regards to unprofessionalism and disrespect.

Our session was to record basic backing tracks to take to NYC to be mixed by Mark Plati, a grammy-nominated producer who worked extensively with David Bowie, Prince, etc. - not that we name dropped or bragged about this by any means. We simply explained that we would be doing basic recording and were well versed in how to conduct ourselves in a studio for maximum efficiency. I am as wary of musicians who name drop their contacts or accomplishments as anyone- that being said, in a paid situation, an engineer should take into consideration what the point of your session is.

Zach Goldstein was our engineer. So, again- I must stress for context only that I have been going to recording studios literally around the world since I was a teenager and in every instance have carried myself as a professional. I've done everything from voice work for television to The Actor's Studio to BBC Radio and know how to carry myself. Zach Goldstein is the first engineer that ever provoked thoughts of violence from several in our group.

We won't get into personal judgment about the man but instead focus on his specific behavior. Besides being completely condescending, we told him early on we were a drug-free band. This invoked literal eye rolling and then Zach proceeded- extensively- to smoke marijuana the ENTIRE SESSION. One of our band members is extremely 420 friendly and even he was flabbergasted. It affected my ability to sing and was a massive distraction. Later that night, Zach reacted with surprise to hear that I had never drank alcohol. Then, in a dismissive tone, added "well, you should start. "

We broke for lunch and ordered some pizza and other items, and offered Zach to eat with us as a gesture of respect. Not only did Zach proceed to take over 5 slices of pizza- and eat in a disgusting, drooling manner by us- he then goes into my drummer's onion rings without asking, etc.etc. It was just awkward and entitled. Also, don't be a massive slob when you've got to work the mixing desk- even if it ain't ours.

The recording itself was a nightmare. I began to ask Zach if I could do something only to be interrupted no less than four times- and he explained to me that "no singer is going to get this is one or two takes, it never happens, we will do what is called a 'comp take'- without hearing what I wanted. It was a note of minor satisfaction that I did indeed do it in one take. Later, when I re-did the vox in Plati's studio even he credited me for being on point, on key, and doing the vocals in a fast and efficient manner. No comp take necessary.

Eventually, the bassist, who was upstairs in the control room, had to firmly ask Zach to simply let me do what I wanted on my song and to stop interrupting me with condescending advice. On more than one song he kept lecturing the guys and even stopped us once in the middle of a take because the bassist wasn't playing- he wasn't supposed to. We reminded Zach that we didn't ask for a producer- we didn't hire him for any creative contribution. He made a lot of sarcastic comments and sighed, exasperated.

I've had the pleasure of working at Kawari numerous times throughout the years, each session has been very relaxed and fun.
They run a tight ship and have a plethora of vintage and new instruments/ outboard gear. Head engineer Zach Goldstein is very friendly and knowledgable guy, both his technical and musical abilities are an incredible asset to the studio's operation. He is able to run efficient sessions while maintaining a relaxed atmosphere, a crucial part of the recording experience. I highly recommend working at Kawari!

(p.s. They have a keyboard called the "rap man" and it will surely blow your mind)