Welcome to
Black Rainbow
Studio
Deep in the heart of the San Fernando Valley lies a creative gold mine, free of distractions and interruptions. You’ll find classic analog goodness combined with modern digital sweeteners in a space reminiscent of a timeless mid century American recording studio. The space was designed by Jake Sinclair and George Augspurger.
The live room is home to a gorgeous 9’ 1915 Steinway Model D, Hammond B3, Baldwin Harpsichord, and classic analog synths to sweep your imagination up with. The WFL drum kit is happy to be in the live room, with guitars and amps available to build your next project.
The control room features an original 70’s MCI JH416 console with a 3M M79 24 track 2” tape machine along with an 8 track Otari MX5050 and an Ampex ATR 102, ProTools and outboard gear, and classic NS10’s with Augspurger designed mains.
George Augspurger Design
Augspurger’s mains are the stuff of legend. “The most popular configuration of the ones I did, which originated for the Village Recorder [in West Los Angeles], was two woofers in an inverted V with a high-power horn above. Of the ones I personally designed, there must be between 50 and 100, and no two are exactly alike. They’re all individually designed for particular clients.” ~George Augspurger
ANALOG+DIGITAL
EQUIPMENT
3M M79 24 track 2” tape machine
Otari mx5050 8 track tape machine
Ampex ATR 102
4 x Spectra STX 100 mic pres
2 x API 525 compressors
1 x Empirical Labs Fatso
Apogee Symphony MKii
PT HD Native
MICROPHONES
Neumann U67
Coles 4038
Audio Technica 4033
Shure SM7
Audix D6
Audix i5
2x Gefell M 930
2x Royer 101
3x AEA R84
3x Beyerdynamic MC 930
3x Shute SM57
4x Beyerdynamic M 88 TG
5x AKG D190
KEYBOARDS
1915 Steinway Model D concert grand piano
50’s Hammond B3
60’s Baldwin electric harpsichord
Juno 60
Moog Model D
Electrocomp 101
Mellotron 4000d
GUITARS
1945 Gibson LG2
1947 Epiphone Broadway
2006 Gibson Les Paul Special
Yamaha FG 180
Framus 12 string
Danelectro baritone
Washburn J7
Fender MIM 5 string Jazz bass
Fender 90’s MIM P Bass’s
Old Style Stella rubber bridge
Old Style tele
Old Style 12 elec 12 string
Many pedals
AMPS
1964 Ampeg B15
1969 Fender Princeton Reverb
70’s Mesa Boogie MK1
60’s Vox T60
Engineers
Nicole Schmidt
Nicole Schmidt is an engineer who enjoys working closely with musicians across genres, providing technical support in the studio to ensure artists can fully focus on their craft. Her role involves orchestrating the seamless integration of technology and creativity, crafting an environment where musical ideas can thrive.
Growing up in a highly musical family deeply influenced Nicole’s connection to music. With a father skilled in vocals, piano, and law, and a mother trained as a conductor, vocal coach, and piano teacher, she was immersed in a musical environment from an early age. Nicole began experimenting with the piano at just two years old and received classical training until college. Immersed in her parents’ choir, she cultivated her passion for singing throughout her life.
RACHEL WHITE
Rachel White is a Los Angeles native who has engineered for Panic! At The Disco, Luke Hemmings, Remi Wolf, NIKI, and Weezer. She has worked for Jake Sinclair, Ethan Gruska, John Congleton, and Rick Nowels . She has been a touring musician with Panic! At The Disco and Mike Viola. When not on the road she writes, produces, and engineers out of her studio in northeast Los Angeles.