Live Oak Recording Studio

I’ve never recorded anything in my life but I had a fantastic experience at Live Oak Studio today. I’m doing a secret project for somebody’s birthday and I had 8 songs that I wanted to sing. I’ve been singing for awhile but I’ve never been in a recording studio before and I was incredibly nervous. Once I got there, the time passed quickly and james quickly made me more relaxed because of how nice and accommodating he was. I’m really pleased with the recordings that came out of our session, the price was very reasonable and I had a great time. I don’t know that I’ll need to do something like this again anytime soon but I’m already letting some of my friends in bands know about the space.

Went there to record a demo and finally, someone (James) got the vocals right. I heard what I needed to in the headphones to not push too hard or hold back. James is knowledgeable, supportive, and lets you know all your options. I’m a bass player and needed a guitarist. Priscilla turned me on to Joshua and it worked out very well. A top of the line studio. I will go back for more projects.

A wonderful studio and place to record an audiobook. I recorded my memoir Double Happiness at Live Oak, and I am extremely happy that I did. There are of course cheaper options in today’s wild west DIY era; you could hire a tech with a mic to come to your house and have at it. But suffice it to say, being in a professional environment with a professional tech like James Ward makes all the difference in the world if you want to produce a high quality product.
James Ward has done many audiobooks, and it shows immediately — he knows just how to get the best voice work out of you — and he knows the latest ACX and Audible/​iTunes spec backwards and forwards. He knew exactly how to set up the studio, how to record and punch-​in, and even how to get me positioned in front of the mic. If I had the slightest of critiques here, it would be that James is SO knowledgeable and enthusiastic to create excellent work, he’ll sometimes talk and tell you more than you really need to know. But consider the alternative — working with someone or some studio doing their first audiobook — and you’ll know you’re in the right place.
And a beautiful place it is. The location is gorgeous and peaceful — up in the Berkeley hills. You arrive there and get the feeling upon walking into the studio that you’re going to do great work.
They were also extremely helpful and flexible about scheduling, and were all around great to work with. Needless to say, they delivered flawless files that now enable people to hear and enjoy the story of Double Happiness however and wherever they want.

I’ve had 3 sessions with James Ward working on two different projects and I have to say it’s truly been an honor and blessing working with such a talented, intelligent engineer. He creates such a comfortable, laid back environment and also provides his vision along with tips and insights on how to make your project sound as commercially viable as possible. It’s amazing how fast he can pick up a beat/​instrumental along with your lyrics/​vocals and create a vision on how it should sound. I believe he’s been in the business for 35+ years and he’s worked with some very talented people along the way (Destiny’s Child, E-​40, Too Short, Alicia Keys to name a few). It’s rare to get his experience and talent level along with industry standard equipment provided at Live Oak at such a competitive rate. Working with Priscilla was also a blessing and she actually greeted me after one of my sessions. Definitely one of the nicest people you’ll meet. I highly recommend.

We just finished recording a single at Live Oak and a had great time. The studio is beautiful and the engineering is top notch. James is super fast and knows how to get the best sound possible. We look forward to coming back for more!

I just finished producing an audiobook there, and the experience was fantastic. James is fast, friendly, and knows his stuff. He has recorded roughly half a bazillion books and can recite the ACX specs in his sleep. He also served as kind of a director, keeping my performance on track and watching for mistakes.
The studio is comfy and well-​equipped. From the Neumann U-​87 through the final audio files the path is clean and top notch.

We recorded the voice-​over narration for an educational film today there. I used them several years ago, too, and James is still there.
Located in the wing of a private home in the Berkeley Hills, this is a professional studio, with complete soundproofing, high, high end microphones, digital recording capability and gold records on the walls.
My two clients and I were able to communicate with our narrator using their talkback system as well as visually through the window to the studio. James loaded our files onto my drive, and he created a backup at their studio.
The sound quality is superb. James even recorded some room tone so we can smooth over pauses.

I am a member of the Gospel Quartet Mighty Men of Faith. Our experience without question has been fantastic. James Ward is an outstanding engineer and is a pleasure to work with. The Studio is fully equipped and can provide whatever sound is required. We would highly recommend the Live Oak Recording Studio to artist wanting to work with a professional talented engineer like James Ward who will enhance your sound and ultimately your project; who wants to record in a friendly and beautiful setting that is conducive to creativity.

I have been working with James Ward at Live Oak Studio since 2007. James can cover pretty much every style of music. If you give him a sound to match — he can get pretty close — or make it better. To date I have recorded and mixed tracks for three albums — ranging from doing simple vocal overdubs, to recording full band, as well as perfecting my home-​studio based productions.
The location is beautiful, a professional — fully equipped studio — yet warm like home. Priscilla Rice is a wonderful person (owner) follows up, schedules and even reminds you of your date.
For the quality — you can’t beat the price. I will continue to return here so long as I continue to produce music.

One of the few classic rooms left in town designed by professional studio designers for the proper acoustics. Beautiful, comfortable, many client comfort extras. Up to date gear, much care goes in to keeping the facility top notch.

This music studio is stunningly beautiful — inside and out. I come from a family of musicians, and after seeing the location, technology and acoustics, I couldn’t wait to get my sister (especially) out to see Live Oak on her next West Coast swing. I kept thinking how perfect a place this would be for her and her rock band to record their album. It’s really worth visiting (and recording). For the record, I first learned of Live Oak because its owner, the incredibly nice Priscilla, has been a member of the same networking group as me for a couple of years. I’m glad I get to see her once a week, and I hope she invites me back up to that studio (what a view of the Bay!) again sometime soon.

I’ve been recording in studios since 1976 and Live Oak is one of my all-​time favorites for several reasons. We just finished tracking 13 songs there and the room, microphones and pre-​amps are all top notch. James Ward is an amazing engineer, and he easily handled the musicians and instruments I threw at him – horns, strings, tabla, pedal steel, and even a choir! As a producer, I’ve come to rely heavily on his ideas and suggestions.
The place is a bargain to boot. They have excellent rates, and James can do anything in ProTools faster than I can think it. It is such a good studio that I’ve chosen to mix there as well – a first in my 30-​year career.

beautiful studio with an excellent engineer who has worked that room and board for well over a decade. The owner rebuilt the house and studio by herself. Some treasures have been recorded in that space over the years!!!

I recorded my album, ColorBook, at Live Oak Studio. Since that time, I have recorded many other commercial and personal projects at Live Oak, and I have also performed there many times as a sideman or arranger on other client’s projects. Live Oak has a wonderful sound, and the price is reasonable. Musicians take note — at these rates, you can record an entire album for far less money than the cost of creating a home studio, AND the quality of sound will be far better! Priscilla just recorded a podcast of me talking about my music teaching studio; check it out on my website, or at Priscilla’s Podcasts.
Ernie Mansfield,

I was in a very successful band with a # 1 hit record and I’ve recorded in some of the finest recording studios all over the world. Live Oak Studios is my favorite. It is nestled in an upscale Berkeley neighborhood and has some of the most breath taking views of the Bay Area. It is professionally managed by Priscilla Rice and she has one of the finest engineers (James) I’ve ever worked with. Not only do you get extraordinary sounds out of the room, but James is a competent engineer who can get them fast. He’s fun to work with too!

I found Pricsilla’s studio from several sources including her incredible Podcasts, which cover a range of topics — from music to local business interviews. I visited the studio and, simply put, the facility is gorgeous, an incredible haven to record any and all types of music, storytelling, etc. I also realized that many of the CDs (records) I have loved for years were recorded here, locally in Berkeley. who knew? A great local treasure.
Frank

Live Oak Recording Studio is the place to go to record live.
Music, Tributes, Poems, Announcements, Presentations … PODCASTS!
The CEO, Priscilla Rice, knows how to capture the music and the soul of the artist. The environment is … oh so Berkeley … with a lot more space and professionalism than one might expect.
You will be amazed at the creativity you will find at Live Oak. The team at Live Oak inspires people to do their best … and you have a recording at the end to enjoy and promote.
I have heard many of the recordings from Live Oak and they do a fantastic job. The awards on the walls in the studio speak volumes.
Since 2002, I have been referring Live Oak Recording Studios to people I know along with PR and Marketing firms who need their expertise and services to help their clients. Web 2.0 … podcasts and 2-​way dialogue are a valuable way to build your business.
Live Oak experts can help you build your business by giving you a professioanl recording to pass on or post. Good-​bye to the media kit we used to know.
I agree with Brian S. … Priscilla is a genius … and I think she follows her passion. It shows!

I have had the extreme pleasure of recording at Live Oak Studio only one time (I only wish I could record more). Priscilla Rice, owner and operator, has created a warm and beautiful recording studio in the Berkeley Hills that inspires creativity and fosters inspiration. The studio is nestled in a beautiful part of Berkeley and the atmosphere is extremely comfortable and laid-​back. Her highly professional engineer makes the process effortless and is a genius at getting your project to sound better than you thought possible. Not only do they record music, but they have podcasting and books-​on-​tape services as well.
I highly recommend Live Oak to anyone wanting to have a professional (or personal) recording made.