Clear Lake Audio — Full Review

Overview

Clear Lake Audio is a well-established commercial recording studio located in North Hollywood. Known primarily for its Trident Series 80b console (Studio A) and spacious live room, it has been a go-to facility for bands, producers, and engineers who want a classic analog-meets-digital workflow in a room that sounds great for tracking live instruments.

Equipment & Facilities

The centerpiece of Clear Lake Audio's Studio A is its Trident Series 80b console — a British-built analog desk prized for its warm midrange, musical EQs, and the distinctive Trident sound used on countless classic records. Trident desks are scarce today and expensive to maintain, so having a well-kept one in regular operation is a genuine draw for engineers who know the platform.

The live room at Clear Lake is one of its best features. It is spacious enough for full-band tracking, with high ceilings and acoustic properties that work particularly well for drums, guitars, and ensemble recording. The room has a warm, natural sound that many producers prefer over tighter, more controlled environments.

Additional outboard gear, microphone selection, and monitoring are all at a professional level. This is a real working studio with real gear, not a bedroom setup with a fancy name.

Engineering

Clear Lake has experienced engineers on staff who know the room intimately. When you work with an engineer who understands every corner of their live room — where to place the drum kit, how the room reflections behave at different volumes, which mic positions work best for certain instruments — the results speak for themselves. This institutional knowledge is one of the genuine advantages of an established studio like Clear Lake.

The Distance Problem

For musicians based in Santa Monica, the biggest drawback is geography. North Hollywood is on the other side of Los Angeles — you are basically taking the 405 to the 101, and anyone who has done that commute knows the deal. On a good day, 35-45 minutes. During rush hour, easily 60-90 minutes each way. That means a 4-hour recording session can turn into a 6-7 hour commitment door to door. We have made this drive, and it is not fun with a trunk full of gear.

You are paying for studio time while your creative energy gets burned up on the 405 or the 101. For Santa Monica-based musicians who record regularly, this commute tax is significant. Studios in Santa Monica itself — like The Recording Club (24/7 member access) — eliminate this problem entirely.

Pricing

Clear Lake publishes hourly rates by room. Studio A (the Trident room) runs $95/hour or $700 for an 8-hour day. Studio B runs $75/hour or $575 for an 8-hour day. Both rooms have a 4-hour minimum and rates include engineer and gear. Block rates are available for multi-day projects. Like any hourly room, a full day of tracking adds up quickly.

Who Is Clear Lake Audio Best For?

Clear Lake is a good choice for producers and bands based in the Valley or East LA who want a professional analog tracking room. The live room is genuinely impressive, and the Trident console is a real draw for engineers who like to track and mix on the board. It makes less sense for Westside musicians who would spend 1-2 hours commuting each way.

The Bottom Line

Clear Lake Audio is a capable, professional studio with a rare Trident console and an excellent live room. If you are in the Valley, it is a solid option. But for Santa Monica musicians, the distance alone knocks it down in our rankings. Combined with hourly rates that punish frequent recording, it sits behind Santa Monica-based options like The Recording Club in our overall comparison. See the full rankings here.