I can honestly say that Panda Studios was a HORRIBLE fucking LET-down on ALL levels.. a nightmare of epic proportions. Mind-boggling unprofessionalism from 'producer' douche-bag named Sam Pura. There were times when he we would berate me to tears and fistfights would almost break out; not out of efforts to push us for better tracks/takes, but out of what seemed to be his outwardly psychotic, intoxicated, twisted episodes.. obviously taking his personal/relationship/girlfriend/life problems and frustrations out on us: the PAYING clients/musicians.. strangers in his studio who chose to come to him to make a potentially magical record. I can't speak for my fellow bandmates, as I know that only 2 out of 3 of them would agree with me, but we soon came to realize that we were living under the roof a maniacal madman with an itchy trigger finger, pre-determined to persecute a member of our band at random to become his session whipping boy. We entered Pura's controlling, troubled world of insecurity. Firstly, we lingered around for 4-5 days while he underwent 'construction'/upgrades of his studio, on OUR dime, rather than doing any kind of pre-production work on our batch of songs. (At some point we were just wondering what the hell was going on.. why were we even there. The session cost roughly $10,000 after all.) Not once did he have us play our songs acoustically during that time or discuss timeline of how the session will ensue. He would smoke huge amounts of weed morning, noon, and night.. re-wiring some new board gear and troubleshooting all day while we would kind of mill around aimlessly, anxious to get to work whenever he would be ready. In a non-abrasive manner, and as little as once a day or so, I would ask him questions, trying to be super courteous about the subject, humbly knowing I was in HIS studio and was willing to work with him and his rules/schedule.. just merely curious of what amp cabinet to use/set up, or of when we might actually be starting the tracking process, since we were all 4 adults living there in the studio quarters. He would literally respond with 'FUCK you, dude.. i told you not to ask me your stupid fucking questions. Get the fuck out of here'. Or 'are you seriously asking me that right now?', or something equally sarcastic, ignorant, or confrontational, as if I had no place whatsoever asking such a thing. And he wasn't joking like I thought he must be at first. That was his real personality. I tried my best to stay out of his way 100%, not set him off like the ticking bomb he seemed to be, and to adapt into a patient/passive person there at Panda, while we waited.. and waited.. and days and days went by, while we waited some more, and spent money on food/drinks/etc for about a week until he was 'ready' to finally start making the record we were paying ten thousand dollars to make. Pura's brutally demeaning attitude certainly didn't get any better as we set up mics and got further into the process. In fact, it got significantly worse, almost as if he was just warming me up for the REAL display of 'who's the boss' and 'who's who in this studio' or whatnot. It got to the point where I felt so individually degraded and cast out of his presence for no reason that I started secretly recording him cussing me out LITERALLY hundreds (no exaggeration) of times over 20 minute yelling spouts, mid-tracking, in front of my bandmates (and sometimes their guests and family members who stopped by to check out the 'magic happening inside a real recording studio.. wow!'). He would be physically spitting in my face from one foot away, red-faced and fucking enraged, and frankly embarrassing himself. As you can probably imagine, this cast a huge cloud of negativity upon the whole day.. and the whole session overall. Nobody wanted to be musical.. nobody wanted to be in the same room as him. I would retreat to my bunk or car, trying to channel the feelings into something productive, like a new song I would plink around on my acoustic guitar with. Pura's selfish behavior of making me feel unfairly isolated truly hurt my feelings almost like they've never been. I'm man enough to say that, mostly because I feel that his actions came from a cold, cowardly, inhumane place.. the over-worked, frustrated place of a lost human who lacks heart and compassion towards his fellow man, and whom probably shouldn't be involved in the career that he ended up in. In summary, there are so many better places I wish we would've gone to record. (SO. MANY. Or just ANY, really.) But there's no going back.. it happened.. it sucked ass, but I can't change it now. The good news is that for every fuck-tard producer there are 100 incredible music producers & engineers who DO care about their craft & the artists they work with and I can't wait to give them my business. read more

I had an amazing experience working at The Panda Studios and I genuinely can't recommend this place enough. From the moment I started working with their team, it was clear that they truly care about music, creativity, and the artists they work with. I've been working closely with Theresa, who is currently helping produce and develop music for me, and she has been incredible throughout the entire process. She is extremely helpful, attentive, and thoughtful in every session. What really stands out about her is how knowledgeable she is about every aspect of music production. Whether it's songwriting, vocal performance, arrangement, or the technical side of recording, she always has insightful suggestions that genuinely make the music better. She also creates a really comfortable environment where you feel supported and confident experimenting with ideas. That kind of encouragement is so important when you're creating something personal, and she handles it with professionalism and kindness. Another thing I appreciate about Theresa is how attentive she is to the artist's vision. She doesn't try to force a direction on you--she really listens and helps shape your ideas into something stronger. She's patient, creative, and incredibly skilled, and you can tell she genuinely cares about helping artists grow and succeed. Sam, who runs the studio, is also more than incredible. His talent and professionalism are immediately obvious when you meet him. He runs everything smoothly and makes sure the environment is respectful, welcoming, and focused on making great music. Sam clearly has a deep understanding of production and sound, and you can tell he has years of experience behind him. At the same time, he's incredibly respectful and down-to-earth, which makes the whole studio experience feel collaborative rather than intimidating. The studio itself is fantastic as well. The space is professional, comfortable, and clearly designed for serious music creation. Everything is set up so artists can focus on their work and bring their ideas to life without distractions. You can tell the studio was built by people who truly understand music and what artists need in order to do their best work. Overall, my experience at Panda Studios has been nothing but positive. Between Theresa's knowledge, creativity, and support, and Sam's leadership and talent running the studio, it's an environment where artists can genuinely grow and create something meaningful. If you're looking for a place to record, develop songs, or work with people who actually care about your music, I would absolutely recommend Panda Studios. read more

Making a record is intense. It can be emotional, chaotic, and full of moments where you second guess everything. But with RJ and Theresa involved, it became something else entirely. Fun, collaborative, transformative. This record would not exist in the way it does without them. RJ was my absolute right hand during bass tracking. From the moment we got into the room, he made the entire process feel effortless. He was locked in, honest, and genuinely cared about pulling the best performance out of me. We laughed, we dialed tones for hours, and we built something that felt alive. He treated this record like his own. And then, when we thought we were done, RJ picked up a saxophone and delivered one of the most unexpectedly emotional moments on the entire EP. That was his idea. That is who he is. Someone who listens deeper, cares more, and always finds a way to make it better. Theresa is the kind of person who can walk into a session and immediately make everything feel more intentional. She shaped entire sections of the songs through pure instinct. She was never afraid to speak up, adjust phrasing, reimagine a part, or build something new from scratch. Her vocal production, songwriting input, and engineering were all essential. She brought a level of depth and precision that elevated the entire project. Every time I was unsure about a vocal or lyric, she helped me unlock what the song actually needed. Together, RJ and Theresa brought this thing to life. Not just as engineers, but as artists, collaborators, and friends. They gave this record heart, and I cannot imagine it without them. If you are lucky enough to work with either of them, do it. And if you get both? You are in for something special. read more

After taking about two years away from recording, I woke up feeling inspired to get back in the studio. I found The Panda Studios online and texted Sam to see if there was any availability. He responded quickly and told me he could meet me there in about 30 minutes. When I arrived, Theresa met me at my car, welcomed me in, and gave me a quick tour of the studio. The environment was professional, clean, and very comfortable. Theresa recorded me and was able to mix and master my track within about three hours. She was really kind and made the space feel safe for creativity. Sam was also great and very accommodating. Payment was easy through Zelle, and Theresa sent me my finished track through an iMessage drive link. Overall, it was a smooth and professional experience. I'd definitely recommend The Panda Studios to anyone looking for a great place to record! read more

Tried to reach out to this producer guy Sam for a quote and he sounded like he didnt have any time to take my call. tried back a few days Later and he said 'I need to stop calling, cuz he is way too fucking busy for this shit' and then aplogized, almost as if he snapped on me and was very angry for some reason. I could not believe how he said that, especially when I have been working with my family friends music group to try to help them record with a good studio person this year, one of the kid's mentioned Sam Pura. He also said he has been known to call people slurs from other online reviews, derogatory remarks and such. so maybe the rumors are true and this guy really is the worst! wow, well i will move onto other options now. thanks for nothing, Panda studios! read more

I've been saying for years that Panda Studios is one of the best studios and Sam Pura is one of the best producers in the Bay Area. The thought and care that Sam & Theresa put into their craft is unmatched. Panda puts a lot of thought into the process and final product of any song or record that comes out of here. It is a blast to work at Panda as well as Sam keeps the process fun/exciting the whole time. I can tell Sam cares about cultivating relationships over basic professionalism. Working on a record at Panda was probably the best studio experience I've ever had. Grateful to be there and happy to come back. read more

I'm admittedly a little biased as I write this because I've mastered a few Panda records that Sam and Rings mixed recently. BUT I think that makes me very qualified to write a review as I have heard positive feedback from their clients and worked on their productions--which are very well-engineered and well-rounded recordings. Their mixes are top-notch; impactful, balanced, and interesting. Sam, Rings, and Jonny are all professional and passionate about putting out their best work and taking care of their clients. If you're into the kind of music they produce, check them out. You won't be disappointed. read more

Sam at Panda Studios did an absolutely incredible job mixing and mastering my EP. From collaborating in person to working through remote sessions, Sam really gives you a clear window into the entire process. He's open to feedback, communicative, and genuinely passionate about getting the sound right. The turnaround was fast, the attention to detail was next level, and the final mix and master is hands down the best I've ever been a part of. Highly recommend Sam and Panda Studios to any artist looking for professional, thoughtful, and high-quality work. read more

Being at Panda Studios was one of the best experiences I've had recording my bands album. I was thoroughly impressed with the level of hospitality I was met with day in and day out, from the room and board all the way down to the generosity of the people both working and recording there. My time spent with the producers and various artists at Panda Studios was something I never thought I would experience especially when it comes to the care and attentiveness my music was given. Panda Studios was the right choice for our music. read more

You're probably sitting at home because you are a loser, a nobody, and because you have not recorded with Sam Pura. Sam's new studio is state of the art and he'll make your band sound like the man. He's as interested in making your band sound great as you are, he'll push you for your best performance, and you'll be best friends by the end of your recording experience. To summarize, Sam's the man and his studio provides a professional experience and record worth your money. Record at Panda, record at Panda, record at Panda. read more

Incredible Experience Every Time! I've worked in many studios over the years, and I can confidently say The Panda Studios is at the top of the list. The environment is welcoming, the gear is top-notch, and the attention to detail in every session is unmatched. Whether it's recording, mixing, or mastering, the team goes above and beyond to ensure the best possible outcome. If you want professional results and a creative space to bring your vision to life, The Panda Studios is where you need to be. Highly recommend! read more

Owner/Engineer Sam Pura, Audio Geek to the max! Sam's dedication to achieving awesome sounds guarantees quality audio production. His enthusiasm about all things audio creates an energetic and positive recording atmosphere. He is committed to making recordings worth bragging about, which his clients usually do. If you're looking for an engineer who will give your project his undivided attention and enthusiasm, and will produce an excellent sounding recording, I highly recommend Sam Pura at The Panda Studios! read more

Panda Studios was incredibly accommodating during my photo and video session for my friend's band this past June. The staff was friendly and professional, ensuring we had everything we needed. I loved the seller on tap. The studio's setup was perfect, with excellent lighting and acoustics, making it easy to capture high-quality shots and footage. They even provided some helpful tips and extra equipment. Overall, Panda Studios made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable. Highly recommended! read more

I've worked with other producers before, but this process was on another level. I had no idea the songs would turn out this well. I was pushed harder than ever on each instrument, wrote some amazing parts, and I sang better than I ever have thanks to the help of Theresa. In fact, people I've looked up to for years say my songs are impressive. If I get the chance, I'd work with Sam, Theresa, and the rest of the team again in a heartbeat. There's no one better at the wheel than Sam. read more

World class studio with a welcoming vibe and endless equipment. Sam and Charles are killer engineers and awesome people!