I've used Alta Vista for numerous projects and have always had a stellar experience. They are extremely professional and experienced.

AVR has everything you need to record a top-notch project. The only other reviewer on this site (Scott S.) may have a personal gripe with Tom, but as Scott never set foot inside the studio, he cannot possibly review this studio from a recording artist's perspective. Here is a review of what you can expect INSIDE the studio, from a musician who has recorded three and a half projects over the last 9 years at AVR (split among two bands and an aborted solo project -- aborted entirely because I opted out; the demos sounded great...). Some things to know going in: 1. Know what you want to get out of your project and communicate that with AVR in advance. This (obviously) applies to any project at ANY studio, but don't go in and think you're going to come out with a hit record if you haven't done the homework (and the rehearsing). Plan to spend time setting up mics, especially if you have drums. The sound will end up really good, but you have to put in the time at the top. 2. Get a producer. If you can't self-produce your own songs, find (and pay) someone who can. AVR is a bounteous playground, but it comes without a producer. On the other hand, every time I have been at AVR, the engineers have known their sh*t and have helped me craft songs I've been proud of. 3. AVR is a studio located in a house in the 'hood in SE Austin, but don't judge the studio based on the facade. Who the F does that? That said, if you're not used to urban grunge and the sound of tricked-out cars with booming sub-woofers, go find a boutique studio downtown. 4. Productions will take time (duh). If you want it done right, expect it to take time. I'm not a fan of time -- I want it now now now. My only gripe about AVR is that it takes longer than you want for a project to complete, assuming you want it done right. BUT, I have never been unhappy with the final result. Any disappointment I've had is due to some lack of preparation or execution of my bands -- the studio is effing great. Be flexible, be patient, do your homework; or bring in a team that can help you get what you want FAST. The engineers at AVR will help capture your sound -- the producing is up to you. 5. It won't break your bank. 6. Customer service? It rocks. You should be so lucky to have an instant rapport with a studio owner/operator you've never met. Tom ain't no spring chicken, true, but he'll bend over backward ... okay -- this I would pay to see :) ... to make sure your project meets your expectations. read more

This review concerns my "customer service" experience with Tom. The process did not progress to the recording session stage, so I can't comment on the recording experience/quality. That being said, when you show up to the place, you will see that IT is a home recording studio in a slightly run down house in a slightly run down neighborhood. I'm a huge fan of independent/DIY stuff, so I'm not trying to rip the place here. But when you first pull up, it may be different than what you expect based on the website. Again, I have not seen the actual studio/equipment itself, so this may be irrelevant with respect to the recording itself. I reserved a session ($50 nonrefundable) immediately after speaking with Tom on the phone. Tom had a calm, knowledgeable, easy going manner that I felt would be very easy to work with (+1 star). The night before the session date, there was a freeze, and it was not safe for me to drive to Austin for the session (I live in College Station). I asked Tom if we would consider rescheduling given the extreme weather conditions, and he generously rescheduled for the following week at no extra charge (+1 star). I did not make contact with Tom during the week leading up to the rescheduled session, and vice-versa, I did not hear anything from Tom, including a 1AM email check the night before the rescheduled session. I left for Austin at 6:30AM the following day to make the 10 AM session start time. I did not check my email (I had received no messages, text or otherwise, on my phone) before leaving for Austin. I do not have internet at my house, or a smart phone. I had mentioned this phone/internet situation to Tom in passing during our initial conversation... not that I really expect him to know everything about me... but the information had been communicated. In addition to speaking on the phone, I should mention that Tom and I had exchanged multiple text messages regarding scheduling, booking deposits, and rescheduling. What follows is the direct transcript of the phone text conversation I had with Tom as I sat in my car, parked in front of his place the morning of the rescheduled session. I personally was offended by the exchange, but as you will see, Tom sees no problem with it. So judge for yourself. This is my contribution to "recording studio web reviews" thus far. Take it or leave it. Me (9:29): Tom I'm close. Mind if I'm a few minutes early? Tom (9:48): I'm so sorry but you must not have checked your email. I have a stomach virus and need to reschedule. Me (9:49): Sorry to hear that. I missed it or it was sent late yesterday? Tom (9:50): Yes sorry sent last night in the middle of the night Me: I thought I checked my email pretty late last night. Me (9:51): Hmmm. Probably a text as well would have been appropriate given the last minute nature of things. Tom: I sent it around four am after I woke up very sick. Tom (9:54): Well as I said I'm sorry, but very sick and didn't know that I had your number. Severe stomach cramps, chills, very weak and dizzy. This is out of my control, Scott. You don't check your email regularly? At this point I drove away, expecting to not make any further communication with Tom. Tom (9:58): Would you like me to refund your deposit? Tom (10:06): I just went to the PayPal site to refund your money and saw that your address is college station. If you drove all the way from there come back and I'll try to work for you. Scott (10:14): Thank you, but no thanks. I found that exchange unnecessarily rude and fairly upsetting. I will look elsewhere for this project. Tom (10:28): I just refunded your deposit. I'm very sorry that you found the exchange rude. I have reread the exchange a couple of times and don't understand how that could be considered rude, and that comes as a shock to me because in 20 years of business nobody's ever suggested I was rude or anything other than completely professional. I'm just very sick but I wish you all the best. Unprofessional regarding contact info maintenance (-1 star) Unprofessional regarding cancellation protocol (-1 star) Conversationally rude, intentionally or otherwise (-1 star) Refunding deposit (+0 stars, as $50 is certainly not my price for insult to injury). I will probably light that $50 on fire... it would be a good picture for my album sleeve, don't you think? Tom was sick, and perhaps just had an off day. But I was completely shocked by what I took to be an aggressive/defensive attitude. He did eventually change his tone, and took the conversation in a better direction. I'm tempted to give him an additional star as result. But yelp tells me that means it's "A-OK". And it was not "OK". Just my experience, take it for what it's worth. Edit: This all happened Friday Morning. It is now Sunday morning, and there is no sign of the refunded $50 in my pay pal account. Color me not surprised. read more