Right Track Studio

Right Track Studio was a commercial recording studio complex located in Manhattan that operated from the 1980s into the early 21st century. The facility served as a production hub for major record label projects, soundtrack sessions for film and television, and high-profile sessions by popular recording artists and music producers. It was known for accommodating diverse genres including pop music, R&B, hip hop, and rock music.

History

Right Track Studio opened in Manhattan during a period of expansion for New York City recording facilities, contemporaneous with studios like Electric Lady Studios, The Hit Factory (New York City), and Record Plant (New York City). Over its early years it attracted sessions from artists associated with labels such as Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Columbia Records. The studio's operations intersected with major industry events including the rise of MTV and the digital shift marked by the adoption of Pro Tools and other digital audio workstations. During the 1990s and 2000s Right Track hosted sessions tied to soundtrack recordings for films produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and television projects for networks like NBC and ABC. Economic pressures and the changing landscape of studio recording paralleled developments at Capitol Studios and Abbey Road Studios, eventually leading to the studio's conversion or closure in line with broader trends in the industry.

Facilities and Equipment

The complex featured multiple tracking rooms and isolation booths designed for large-ensemble tracking akin to layouts at AIR Studios and Sunset Sound Recorders. Control rooms housed mixing consoles from manufacturers like Neve, SSL and outboard gear from Universal Audio, Teletronix, and Lexicon. Monitoring systems included models by Genelec and Yamaha. The studio integrated analog tape machines such as the Studer A800 with digital editing using Digidesign systems. Acoustic treatments and room designs followed practices associated with studios like Ocean Way Recording and speakers tuned to standards used at Abbey Road Studios for orchestral and vocal work. The facility also supported MIDI sequencing and sampling with instruments from Akai Professional and Roland Corporation, and housed a selection of vintage instruments comparable to collections at Electric Lady Studios.

Programs and Services

Right Track offered full-service recording, mixing, and mastering services similar to those provided by Jungle City Studios and Gotham Recording Studios. The studio provided production support for major-label projects and independent releases linked with distribution through entities like Atlantic Records and Island Records. Services included remote recording for live events, voice-over sessions for productions by DreamWorks Pictures and Fox Broadcasting Company, and pre-production arrangements for tours involving artists on Live Nation Entertainment rosters. The facility also rented space for rehearsal sessions used by touring acts associated with promoters such as AEG Presents and for scoring sessions coordinated with orchestras connected to institutions like the New York Philharmonic.

Notable Artists and Recordings

Right Track hosted sessions with a broad array of prominent performers and producers who also worked at locations such as Electric Lady Studios, The Hit Factory (New York City), and Capitol Studios. High-profile recording artists who used the studio included Madonna, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, U2, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Adele, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Patti Smith, Sting, David Bowie, Billy Joel, Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra (sessions with contemporary producers), Lorde, Shakira, Kendrick Lamar, Sia, Sade, Norah Jones, OutKast, The Weeknd, Whitney Houston, Snoop Dogg, Green Day, Foo Fighters, The Black Keys, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Jon Bon Jovi, Beck, Pharrell Williams, Tom Petty, Diana Ross, Björk, Elton John, Gwen Stefani, Santana, The Who, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, R.E.M., The Police, Public Enemy, Run–D.M.C. and LL Cool J. Notable producers and engineers connected to sessions included Rick Rubin, Timbaland, Max Martin, Quincy Jones, Dr. Luke, Babyface, Mark Ronson, Nigel Godrich, Butch Vig and Chris Lord-Alge.

Ownership and Management

Founding and ownership ties connected the studio with industry figures and production companies working alongside labels like Epic Records and Republic Records. Management relationships mirrored those of other New York studios that engaged executives from Sony Music Entertainment and independent production houses. Facility operations involved studio managers, chief engineers, and business directors comparable to personnel at Electric Lady Studios and The Hit Factory (New York City), coordinating bookings for artists represented by agencies such as William Morris Endeavor and Creative Artists Agency.

Category:Recording studios in New York City