Overview
Clear Lake Audio is a well-established commercial recording studio located in North Hollywood. Known primarily for its SSL console 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 is its SSL console — a mixing desk that is considered an industry standard for its punchy sound, reliable channel strips, and built-in bus compression. SSL consoles are expensive to maintain and calibrate, so having one in a well-kept studio 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.
At $100 to $200 per hour, 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 like Lime Studios (in Santa Monica) or The Recording Club (also in Santa Monica, with 24/7 access) eliminate this problem entirely.
Pricing
Rates at Clear Lake Audio generally range from $100 to $200 per hour, depending on the room and whether you need the house engineer or are bringing your own. Block rates may be available for multi-day projects. While the rates are competitive for the quality of the room, they add up quickly — a full day of tracking can run $800 to $1,600.
Pros
- SSL console — industry standard
- Spacious, great-sounding live room
- Experienced engineers who know the room
- Professional outboard gear and microphones
- Good for full-band and drum tracking
Cons
- Far from Santa Monica (North Hollywood)
- 45-90 minute commute each way in traffic
- Hourly rates ($100-$200) add up fast
- Appointment only — limited flexibility
- No amenities beyond the studio
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 SSL room for tracking live instruments. The live room is genuinely impressive, and the SSL console is a draw for engineers who 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 great SSL 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 and Lime Studios in our overall comparison. See the full rankings here.