EastWest Studios

Overview

EastWest Studios occupies a building at 6000 Sunset Blvd that has been at the center of recorded music history for over six decades. The facility opened as Western Recorders in 1958 and was folded into Bill Putnam Sr.'s United Western Recorders complex in 1961. Putnam (widely regarded as the father of modern recording) operated the rooms through their golden era. The building later became Ocean Way Recording under Allen Sides (1984–1999), then Cello Studios, before being acquired in the mid-2000s by Doug Rogers and restored as EastWest Studios.

The list of recordings made in this building reads like an encyclopedia of popular music. The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds — regularly cited as the greatest album ever made — was tracked here. Frank Sinatra recorded some of his most celebrated sessions in these rooms. The Mamas & the Papas, Ray Charles, Dean Martin, and Nat King Cole all worked here during its Western Recorders era. More recently, the studio has been a hub for film scoring, with composers like Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman using the legendary rooms for their orchestral recordings.

What sets EastWest apart from other historic studios is the sheer scale of its main rooms. Studio 1 is one of the largest purpose-built recording spaces in Los Angeles, capable of comfortably accommodating a full symphony orchestra. The room's acoustic design, refined by Putnam and subsequent owners, produces a natural reverb and frequency response that engineers describe as almost magically balanced.

Notable Recent Activity

EastWest remains one of the busiest legacy studios in Los Angeles. Recent documented projects include:

• Michael Jackson Biopic: A significant portion of the MJ biographical film was shot at EastWest, which served as a period-accurate stand-in for the recording environments where Jackson worked. The studio's authentic connection to the era made it a natural choice.
• Linkin Park — KROQ acoustic showcase: On September 12, 2025, members of Linkin Park performed a private acoustic set at EastWest for KROQ, underscoring the building's continued role as a destination room for marquee artists.
• Ongoing film & orchestral scoring: Studio 1 is regularly booked for major film score sessions by composers including Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman, who return to the room for its scale and natural acoustic.

These sessions underscore the point that even in an era of home recording and AI production tools, certain artists at certain moments still reach for the rooms that have produced the music they grew up with. EastWest's continued activity at this level is a strong signal about its place in the current studio landscape.

The Rooms

Studio 1

The main tracking room and the facility's centerpiece. This massive space can hold a 100-piece orchestra and features the acoustic design that has made it one of the most sought-after recording rooms in the world. The natural reverb is rich and musical without being overwhelming, and the room handles dynamics — from the quietest pianissimo to the loudest fortissimo — with remarkable fidelity.

Studio 2

A large tracking room that works beautifully for band recording, ensemble sessions, and projects that need space but not the full scale of Studio 1. Many pop and rock records have been made in this room, and it offers a warmer, more intimate character than the main room.

Studios 3 & 5

Smaller rooms designed for overdubs, mixing, vocal tracking, and production work. These rooms complement the larger spaces and allow multiple aspects of a project to be worked on simultaneously. (Studio 4 is no longer in active service.)

Pricing & Practical Considerations

EastWest Studios charges daily rates ranging from approximately $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the room and project requirements. Engineer fees, instrument rentals, and other production costs are typically additional. The studio works with a wide range of clients, from major film studios and record labels to independent artists with the budget to access these historic rooms.

From a Santa Monica perspective, EastWest is located in Hollywood — roughly a 30 to 60 minute drive depending on traffic and time of day. While the commute is manageable for a dedicated recording block, it is not practical for artists who want regular, spontaneous access to a studio.

The studio is best suited for projects that specifically require its unique acoustic characteristics — large ensemble recordings, orchestral sessions, and productions where the room sound is a critical element of the final product. For everyday tracking, production, and mixing, there are more accessible and cost-effective options closer to Santa Monica. See how costs compare in our LA studio pricing guide.

Who It Is Best For

• Film composers and orchestral projects
• Artists seeking large-format acoustic tracking
• Productions where room ambience is a defining element
• Engineers who need one of LA's finest large live rooms

Who Should Consider Alternatives

• Solo artists and small production teams
• Artists who record frequently on a regular basis
• Budget-conscious independent musicians
• Anyone who values proximity to Santa Monica