In an age where everyone has a home recording studio, Ice House reminds us the difference between…read morean amateur sounding recording and one that is ready for the radio. After an exhaustive search for a great studio to create my first full length, I came across producer/engineer Joey Muller and Ice House, and it was probably the easiest and best decision I made. We spent several months making a great sounding record ... and despite the great studio, everyone knows it's really the person behind the gear that all makes it come together. Anyway, the highlights of the experience really need a bullet point list: - The live room sounds incredible. Drums and guitar were flat out amazing. - The gear at the studio is great - a very quiet chain using great preamps, converters, and other outboard gear. - Joey was extremely passionate and into the project, very responsible, and easy to work with. - Joey's musical talents and ear are amazing. Besides being a great piano player, his ear for pitch, melody, and song structure is very finely tuned. - The resources near the studio are expansive; there is a large music store within walking distance, as well as great healthy places to eat. - The network of professional musicians to help out on projects is huge; Joey knows many of the top musicians in the Bay Area, and they all love coming in and working at Ice House. Needless to say, if you want to make a great recording, this is the place to go. And it's actually quite reasonably priced as well. What more could you ask for?

My band, The Sound Field, just finished up day 4 of a 6-day recording stint for our new LP…read more There is nothing about this studio that doesn't rock. The ownership is wonderful, our engineer is brilliant and intuitive, the climate and comfort levels are exactly what I need (I have multiple sclerosis and a room with climate control is vital if I'm doing eight-hour days), and the tech is as fantastic as the rates. Highly, HIGHLY recommended.

I grew up sounding like Michael Jackson when I talked. Things changed when I turned 16. Since that…read moretime my voice has been commented on incessantly! Think James Earl Jones, Barry White, etc... Today was my graduation into the Voice Over world! I recorded Narration & Commercial demos. I was nervous as hell but Erin the engineer, put my mind at ease. In the end, things couldn't have gone any smoother. He's a consummate professional. The info he shared has me excited for my next chapter! The studio's been around for 30yrs. Top notch facility w/a comfortable booth. #GoSee

As I'm entering college audition season, I want to thank Laughing Tiger and sound engineer Erin…read moreTadena for my wonderful prescreening recordings. The video and audio were extremely professional and Erin was an immensely kind presence in the studio. He was super knowledgeable and helpful throughout our sessions. Thanks to these recordings, I got invitations to audition at top music schools. The quality of work at this studio set me apart from other applicants, and working with Erin was a great experience. We'll have to find an excuse to come and record again!

Saved By The Magic Flute!…read more My newish Nord Electro 6 took a major tumble and several of the lower keys were mangled, ugh..I thought I needed to plan a keyboard funeral. Needless to say, I was DEVASTATED when I discovered my baby at the beginning of a gig.. The Magic Flute repair rep didn't guarantee a successful fix, BUT TOTALLY DELIVERED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK!! My keyboard funeral was canceled. THANKS MAGIC FLUTE!

The Magic Flute has been providing solid instruction for a myriad of instruments for decades…read more Currently, Chris Collins is an insanely talented musician who is a wonderful piano teacher. He is able to tailor his lessons so the material is relevant and age-appropriate and engaging. His ability to not only play music by ear but to create sheet music from that is brilliant. Highly recommend!

I feel so fortunate to work with Strawberry Hill Music…read more I'm a singer / songwriter in the Bay Area and have been so frustrated with many disingenuous producers. When I started working with Raj and the Strawberry Hill Music team, everything changed. He really listens to what I want, is respectful, honest, and authentic. And, he has a great ear. He makes me feel at home in the studio; I'm never rushed or pressured. And, the production is top quality. I highly recommend Strawberry Hill Music.

I know negative about guitars. I have a nephew graduating from high school this spring and I…read morewanted to get him something meaningful and useful. He plays bass in one of those School of Rock type places and is passionate about it. I called my sister to see if there was anything he could use and she sent me a blurry photo of some kind of board he uses and told me he needs a carrying case. I went to Bananas at Large because of their reputation for being kind and knowledgeable. Their reputation is well deserved. I was greeted right when I walked in, I decided to look around a bit before asking for help because while I don't know anything about guitars, some of the instruments they had on the wall were works of art and I enjoy looking at art. When I was ready, I found the first employee, showed him the photo and explained the situation. He knew exactly what it was and where to find what I was looking for. He then took the case over to where they had the exact thing in the photo to show me how well it fit and other features of the case. He explained the 14-day return policy if it turned out to be the wrong thing and let me decide what I wanted to do. I wound up purchasing the case. I loved that I was nicely greeted when I walked in but left alone to browse. I loved that I didn't have to hunt down someone to help me when I was ready. I loved the general vibe of the place. I loved that they had what I needed and clearly a ton of things I might need if I ever decide to get into playing. I loved that parking was easy. I loved that they were excited to help someone who had no idea what they were doing in a guitar shop, were in no hurry to get me out of the store and patient enough to answer all my questions. I even loved that they accept Venmo for payments. Great place to go if you don't know anything about guitars but love someone who does.

My son who lives in Australia asked me if I would find a guitar for him to play when he comes home…read morefor visits. After a few people suggested I try this establishment, I walked in to this store knowing absolutely nothing about guitars. The staff were extremely helpful and I was impressed with their knowledge and patience. I purchased a reasonably priced Gibson guitar and case. My son was very pleased!

I produce a political podcast here and Anthony is my engineer of choice. He's a perfectionist with…read moregreat level of detail for every element of audio tech. Anthony will polish and sharpen until I am absolutely happy with the product. If you're looking to work with a professional, organized and patient engineer, I strongly recommend working with Anthony at The Grill. The staff is attentive and accommodating to my needs and requests as a client. Oscar, the studio host, goes above and beyond to make sure that my team and guests are always taken care of. The facilities are clean and parking is readily available. It's a good spot and it's decently priced. Book your next project here - preferably with Anthony- you'll be glad you did.

I've had 8 sessions at this studio and while the equipment in studio A is great, I believe that for…read morethe price point, some of the engineers lack professionalism. For example, agreeing to mix & master a song for me and then not having the required plug ins or even pro tools on their laptop to do so... thus not sending me revisions as requested in time for my drop date , or ever. Pretty lackluster & disappointing when I consistently have spent $400-600 each session at this studio. Hire better professionals

If you're looking for bright lights, shiny new guitars and pushy sales staff, skip Player's…read moreGuitars. If you're looking to find a hidden gem or a solid used piece of gear, come visit Jim at Player's Guitars. He's helped me and my son find instruments to learn on (guitar, mandolin, bass), as well as instruments to grow into (12 string acoustic) and with numerous small repairs.

Rob D. reviews this place accurately. It's a cluttered rummage sale for guitar players. I've…read morestopped in 4 times. Unfortunately nothing in the shop is particularly high quality or collectible. I've been playing guitar for 47 years., been in the pro leagues. There's never anything in this shop that I want to purchase.

This store is a treasure. A small business with people who care deeply about guitars. I got to try…read moremany older guitars, and was helped by a very patient and kind person. Unfortunately the model I had come in to try was not in stock, so I did not end up purchasing a guitar, despite wanting to support their business. I hope others support this shop - we are lucky to have them in our region.

It's a great store with tons of vintage acoustic guitars. Also, the owners are super friendly. Was…read moregreeted by Nicolas and had a great conversation about the guitars they have in stock as well as the custom Schoenberg acoustic Definitely coming back!