Fantasy Studios at Zaentz Media Center in Berkeley, Calif. announces that it has just completed major renovations. During the renovations, architects and technicians were careful to preserve the studio’s history and heritage, which includes Platinum records by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, Journey, Green Day, En Vogue, Aerosmith and others. More recently, Fantasy Studios has also hosted sessions for Counting Crows, The Donnas, AFI, Ozomatli and the Kronos Quartet.
In January 2007, Wareham Development purchased the Zaentz Media Center, the building that houses the studios, from Saul Zaentz. Reportedly, the new owners of the Zaentz Media Center have invested more than 4 million dollars in the building and the studio. The new owners have been careful not to disturb the sound quality for which the studios are famous. The owners have also preserved the entire Zaentz Media Center for a thriving community of independent filmmakers and tenants in all forms of media including film, new media, television and production.
Fantasy’s staff includes studio director Jeffrey Wood, chief technician James Gangwer, and in-house engineers James Willetts and Jesse Nichols. The facility offers a large selection of vintage and new microphones and outboard gear. All three studios are equipped with Studer analog as well as Pro Tools HD. Furthermore, the facility provides complete ISDN services for linking to studios worldwide.
“The goal for Fantasy Studios is to be an accessible place for artists at every stage of their careers,” says Wood. “Having a great sounding record or film should not be reserved for the privileged few. We work with bands, managers and film productions to craft the best studio packages possible working within individual budget constraints. Every big-name artist that has recorded at Fantasy was once a developing artist. We strive to provide the best experience for both the stars of today and the stars of tomorrow.”
Fantasy Studios opened in 1971 as the in-house studio for artists on the Fantasy Records label, such as Dave Brubeck, Vince Guaraldi and Sonny Rollins.
For more information, visit www.fantasystudios.com.
