Stratosphere sounds cosmania
Stratosphere Sound is a former recording studio located in New York City. Previously known as "The Place", the studio was renamed Stratosphere Sound in 1999. Originally located in the Meatpacking District, the studio was relocated to Chelsea in 2001 after a fire damaged the original premises. The new location was designed by renowned studio architect Francis Manzella. The studio closed in 2012 due to economic changes in the music business, including decreased recording budgets and the rising cost of rent in Manhattan.
Contents
A
Studio A was a tracking and mixing room centered on a Neve console and a Studer 2" 24-track machine. The room also included a Pro Tools HD system and an array of outboard audio equipment.
B
Studio B was designed for smaller developing projects, as well as overdubs and editing sessions on larger projects. Stratosphere's Studio B was built around a Trident 24 console, an Otari tape machine, and a Pro Tools HD system. This room was also outfitted with various other audio outboard equipment.
Owners
Stratosphere was owned by musicians James Iha, Adam Schlesinger, and Andy Chase. Iha was a member of the Smashing Pumpkins, played guitar in A Perfect Circle, and records as a solo artist. He also produces and is co-owner of the indie label Scratchie Records.
Adam Schlesinger is an Academy Award, Grammy Award and Emmy Award nominated songwriter, ("That Thing You Do", "Stacy's Mom" and "A Colbert Christmas", respectively), a member of the bands Fountains of Wayne and Ivy, and a record producer. He also co-owns Scratchie Records with Iha.
Andy Chase is a member of the band Ivy, as well as his solo band Brookville, and a songwriter/producer/engineer/mixer with several gold and platinum credits. He was also the original founder of The Place.
Staff
Staff engineers at Stratosphere included Rudyard Lee Cullers, Geoff Sanoff and Arjun Agerwala.
The studio was managed by Ger Fitzgerald, Debb Hanks, Sophie Smith, and then Ashley Olauson.