NRG Recording Studios

NRG Recording Studios is a recording facility located in North Hollywood, California, that was created by producer and mixer Jay Baumgardner in 1992.^[1][2]

Before starting NRG Recording Studio, Jay Baumgardner, operated from a home based studio and grow out the space. In 1995, the studio space formerly named Weddington Productions became available for rent, so Baumgardner initially rented the space, but he was able to purchase the building later. The building was located in the area of NoHo Arts District that was not yet developed like it is today.^[2][3]

It started out with one studio space and slowly grow to 3 Studios (A, B and C), as funds became available.The space has also been remodeled multiple times.^[2]

The studio evolved from handling TV gigs like The Dolly Parton Show to becoming a hub for various music genres, particularly country and Christian music.^[2]

NRG Recording gained prominence with notable productions like Hootie & the Blowfish's 1995 debut album, Cracked Rear View. NRG Recording has become a go-to studio for rock artists such as Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, Tool, and many more. The studio's success reflects not only its state-of-the-art facilities but also its strategic location in North Hollywood.^[2]

The facility consists of three studios:

• Studio A : a 110-square-meter live area, three isolation booths, and a Neve 8068 console built by Pat Schneider^[2]
• Studio B : live room with a distinctive Moroccan-themed control room housing Neve 8078 console^[2]
• Studio C : designed for mixing, features a 72-input SSL 9000 J-series console^[2]

Chief Engineer Wade Norton and Owner Jay Baumgardner worked with Paul Levy of Advanced Audio Rentals to incorporate a Fibre Channel storage area network (SAN) into their facility. This allowed for reduced noise inside of the control rooms and provided tighter security to clients by automatically backing up sessions into a secured central location.

• Cracked Rear View – Hootie & the Blowfish (1994)
• Transistor – 311 (1997)
• Follow the Leader – Korn (1998)
• Significant Other – Limp Bizkit (1999)
• Infest - Papa Roach (2000)
• Hybrid Theory – Linkin Park (2000)
• Conspiracy of One – The Offspring (2000)
• Break the Cycle – Staind (2001)
• Fallen – Evanescence (2003)
• Meteora – Linkin Park (2003)
• Contraband – Velvet Revolver (2004)
• Minutes to Midnight – Linkin Park (2007)
• A Thousand Suns - Linkin Park (2010)
• Living Things – Linkin Park (2012)
• Rise - Skillet (2013)
• Release the Panic - Red (2013)

^[5][3]

• "Interview with Jay Baumgardner". HitQuarters = Apr 2005. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03.