Altamira Sound opened in 2021 to provide an inspiring and welcoming creative space to provide high-fidelity recording for affordable rates. Altamira consists of two separate studios, both designed by renowned Los Angeles studio builder F.C. Owens. The two studios contain an extensive and lovingly curated collection of modern and vintage recording equipment and instruments. Both rooms are wired to our basement echo chamber.
Studio A features a 23’ x 25’ tracking room with a sloped 11’ to 14’ ceiling. It has features a large iso booth and two pianos: a beautiful 1969 Yamaha C7 and a Fischer upright grand from 1900, completely restored including a felt damper bar. The control room has an all discrete 32 channel API Legacy console and a Studer A827 2” tape machine. We provide free house reels for anyone that wants to record to tape.
Studio B is a cozier space that’s perfect for overdubs or smaller sessions. The control room is computer-based but still boasts a good collection of outboard gear.
Owner-operators Carly Bond, Andrew Maguire, James Riotto and Rob Shelton have been making records together for over a decade as songwriters, producer/engineers, and session players. We know that recording an album can be an incredibly challenging process, and we’re here to make your experience as inspiring and supportive as possible.
Carly Bond
Carly Bond is an engineer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and composer. She’s worked with artists such as Luke Temple, Kacey Johansing, Jerry Paper, Zelma Stone, Suzanne Vallie and Ella. She has also composed & engineered music for various projects and podcast companies such as Dipsea, Pineapple Street Studios, Dustlight Productions and Crooked Media. Carly also records, writes and performs under the name Meernaa.
https://www.carlybond.net/
Rob Shelton
Engineer, Producer, Mixer and Keyboardist Rob Shelton has helped people make records for the better part of the past two decades. Rob spent 10 years as a staff engineer / producer at Tiny Telephone studios in the Bay Area, and has engineered/produced/mixed artists such as Luke Temple, Meernaa, Brijean, Jonny Kosmo, Suzanne Vallie, John Vanderslice, Dougie Stu, Night Heron, Ex Olympic, Halloweens, Paul Spring, and Sabriel. As a keyboardist, Rob has performed, toured and recorded with Marc Ford, Mohsen Namjoo, Samantha Crain, Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, Kacey Johansing and Strand of Oaks. www.robsheltonrecording.com
Andrew Maguire
Andrew is a freelance drummer/percussionist. He has been a drum sub on Hamilton since 2017, performing hundreds of shows in SF, LA, and on the first national tour. Before moving to LA in 2020, he lived in the Bay Area and was a house session musician at John Vanderslice's renowned Tiny Telephone Recording (SF/Oakland), collaborating on dozens of albums every year since 2010. He’s a member of the Magik*Magik Orchestra, with whom he's joined Gregory Porter, Gregory Alan Isakov, Pop Up Magazine, and the Dodos. He has played/recorded/toured with JV, Van Dyke Parks, the Kings of Convenience, Hand Habits, Mirah, Luke Temple, Vetiver, Meernaa, Boy Scouts, Madison McFerrin, and others. He has recorded for a number of films/TV/video games, including Harley Quinn (DC Universe/HBO Max) and Half Life VR (Valve Corp.). www.andrewmaguire.net
James Riotto
James Riotto is a producer, engineer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Before opening Altamira Sound, James spent 11 years as a staff producer/engineer at Tiny Telephone Studios in the Bay Area. He has made hundreds of records with artists such as Jamie xx, Alex Cameron, John Vanderslice, Astronauts etc., Shannon and the Clams, Geographer, Thao Nguyen, Ezra Furman, Zach Rogue, Kacey Johansing, Sophie Hunger, Samantha Crain, Mohsen Namjoo, Charlie Hunter, Strand of Oaks, Gem Club, and many others. In addition to his production work, James writes, records and performs music under his own name. He lives in Pasadena with his wife and two young children. www.jamesriotto.com