All I can really say about Ardent is that I have been depressed since I have left! This is a…read moremusical mecca for me! Some of my all time favorite records were made here.. Big Star, REM, the Replacements, Booker T. and the Mg's, Cat Power, White Stripes, Dylan, Zep, Mr. Hayes, Primal Scream, and now a record I'm producing by Christopher the Conquered. I had the opportunity to tour the facilities twice before deciding this is where I wanted to record the record. Nothing like getting a tour from John Fry the guy who started Ardent way back in the 60's and also was a big part of recording those Big Star records mentioned above. All of the studios are capable of hosting and mixing any kind of musical act you throw at them! The best thing about Ardent besides the amazing staff is how it's built around a little court yard that is open air, so you can walk outside and grab a breath of fresh air and not feel like your in box for 10 hours strait! It's a genius design and the best I have ever seen in a recording studio. We were recording in Room A, with master engineer Adam Hill, who is one of the hardest working guys I have ever met.. He get's amazing sounds, is always up for a great joke, and knows the history of the studio and rock and roll and is quite the good story teller! I got to talk a little bit about how great the staff is, always making sure you have what you need weither is back ground singers, beer in the fridge, or you need someone to go grab you a record from the store down the street! They are the best! Also such and honor to get to chat with Jody Stephens the drummer of Big Star who also works there! And I also got to hear him practice in Studio B one day! AMAZING! ANYWAY I COULD GO ON FOREVER ABOUT THIS PLACE, It's the best! and I'm excited to get back there and mix our record we started! Keep up the great work ARDENT YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND!

Ardent Studios is fantastic. I could be mistaken, but I believe they're the only recording studio…read morein Memphis that's still operational that offers tours. Regardless, it's definitely not to be missed. For starters, it's free. The tour itself is free, they have their own parking, which is also free. You really can't beat that. Throughout the studios are lots of memorabilia related to the studios. Lots of gold and platinum records of artists who recorded there, photos and articles pertaining to the studios, even some awards (as in Grammys, etc.). And of course, there's lots of framed records all over the walls of what seems like basically every album ever recorded at Ardent over the years. I don't mean it in a bad way, as no matter who you like, you'll be happy. You also of course get a tour of the studios from an actual guide. You get to see their studios, actual studios people still use if they come and book some time in the studio. To me it's so awesome to think of how many bands have been in each room over the years, especially the older studios. You can see the infamous studio that Big Star used for much of their recording and also see photos from their old location before they moved to their location on Madison. What I really enjoyed too was aside from the walk down memory lane and seeing these historical rooms, I loved being able to see the mix of new and old equipment at the mixing desks. Most use ProTools now, but they do still have analogue so you can see what recording studios used to look like. ;) And everyone is very friendly! You don't feel rushed at all (the tour should talk an hour, tops) and the guides are happy to answer any questions you have. They know everything. It's so worth taking the tour!

Sam Phillips left son Studios in 1960 and opened his own recording studio around the corner. It's…read morestill standing and it's in use today. In 2000, the A&E produced a 2 hour documentary, Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock 'n' Roll, for the award-winning Biography series. Scott Bomar, the Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated producer, engineer & musician now manages Phillips Recording has fully restored the console, which is in use as the main board at the studio.

Royal Studios gives you chill bumps as soon as you walk through the door, but feels like home at…read morethe same damn time. Meeting and working with Boo is a huge honor and opportunity. I look forward to making timeless music with him and his sons. Hopefully sooner than later. Their equipment is great and some of it is original. That information alone is amazing. The track room is spread out well to give artists the chance to really shed their skin and dig deep, while maintaining that professionalism with a hard working production team sitting in one chair. Boo you told me you'll never be able to fill your father's or grand father's shoes. But you have. You just don't know it yet brother. Much love and respect from this side. We're nowhere close to done. Thank you Royal Studios and everyone else involved.

This place has vibe for days. Killer sounds, great people, and rich history. If you have the…read morechance, you should record here. Memphis soul.

I had an amazing experience here. The staff is so helpful and pleasant and I love the concept of…read morejust going there to listen to records. This is a cute date or self care idea if you want something cheap, laid back and relaxing. Just be present and listen to good music in a tranquil environment.

I love the Memphis Listening Lab. The entire concept is truly unique. They have an impressive…read morecurated collection of vinyls with over 75,000 pieces of different media. The initial collection was started by John King, a Memphis native that founded Ardent Records with ties to the music scene as a musician, promoter, and more. This is a legendary establishment. Quite frankly, a gem that should be preserved. Every time I visit, I try to donate to their cause. I hope to one day contribute to their collection by donating vinyls as well. With so many available options, some respectable relics, some new, as a listener there will be no problem finding something to enjoy. If you're new to the Listening Lab, I recommend asking the vinyl conservator for guidance. Be sure to have in mind what you'd like to listen to, perhaps even ready for a recommendation too! The VPI players are EXTREMELY high quality and deserve the highest care for preservation of this beautiful facility. They even have a dedicated sound room for the ultimate hi-fi experience. The listening space is beautiful, with great views and comfortable seating. Overall, it's a magnificent and top-notch establishment. I love coming here and dedicating a moment or two to a listening experience.

I'm so excited I was finally able to scratch a visit to Sun Studios off of my Memphis to-do list…read more For music history lovers it's one of the most iconic places to make a pilgrimage to stand where some of the greats stood as they recorded hit songs that have remained relevant more than 80 years later. You can't reserve tours online and are available on a first come first serve basis and take place at the half hour mark. I arrived at about 12:15 and despite the 12:30 tour being removed as available for the tour board the employee at the front kindly let me slide into the 12:30 tour group. It's a small building but A LOT of history and memorabilia are packed into the building . The guided tour begins on the second floor where there is a small single room with musuem exhibits and items from the early days of Sun Records. After spending time here you'll be taken back downstairs to spend time in the actual recording studio. In total the tour lasted about 45 minutes and you were able to linger at the end without feeling rushed to take photos with THE microphone and soak in the energy of the space. If you're any kind of music lover you can't miss this building where so much pop culture and music history was made.

This place is sorta small but it packs a punch. It has some unique memorabilia and good photo ops…read moreand a whole lotta history. Our guide was very funny and knowledgeable (and he's a musician to boot!). We did the tour and the upstairs part has a recreation of the Dewey O DJ booth which is very cool. There is even a "smash" hit record on the floor in the booth! Inside museum cases are some original equipment and posters, etc. of some of the greats signed by Sun Studio. The downstairs recording studio (still in use daily) is timeless with an original microphone and the piano that the greats once played while recording. . We got to pose with the microphone and see lots of real equipment actually used by the likes of Elvis, Sam Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, etc. And of course, some of the original recording equipment used by founder Sam Phillips. The gift shop and small bar up front are a great touch both before and after the tours. Don't miss this legendary place.

A few days ago, I noticed Ecko Records while driving to Graceland. Their sign promises a shop full…read moreof soul, blues, gospel, and old school music. They've got a sign in the window that says "Ecko Records now open. Get in 2-Day 4 your party later!!" It sounded like my kind of place. I made a trip back to Ecko this afternoon. I was hoping that the tiny shop would be packed full of vinyl, but save for a small bin of local rarities on 45 and some cassette tapes on super sale, the selection is mostly CDs. Ecko carries a ton of gospel and R&B. They've got a small blues section and some soul records. The selection wasn't huge, and it was mostly newer CDs. Posters for new releases are plastered to the walls and there's a small listening station at the back of the store. I picked up a Jimmy Reed rarities CD and took it to the counter, which is behind a big glass wall, sort of like a bank teller. To check out, you put your purchase in a drawer and the shop owner opens it from his side of the glass and completes the sale. Ecko has only been open since December, so I'm hoping that as they're open longer, they'll get a bigger selection. It's a pretty cool shop, and I'd love to see more classic soul and vinyl on the racks. If you're looking for local R&B and gospel releases, this is a great place to find them.

Great place to record, get your photo shoots done and videos of all sorts. Music videos, weddings…read moreand more. Your one stop shop.

Very knowledgeable about speakers and how to rebuild them. Has his own line of speakers for sale…read morethere. Also saw some turntables for sale. You can tell he's been in that shop for a long time. Lots of stuff around. Would use him again if I had the need.

GREAT SERVICE & REPAIR…read more I followed advise from fellow Yelpers and chose Halford for my speaker repair. PROS: + Great Service. Friendly. Will take time with current customer. + Honest. He's quick to tell you what is junk and what he will / will not work on. + Price. I thought his rates were fair. He worked to save me money and pricing was up front. + Delivery. My repair was ready before 3 week estimate. + Free Parking. (If you can find it) + Nice Showroom. SMALL -but they only seem to have high quality merch. Rare finds. It's pretty cool just to come and look. CONS: (NONE REALLY! You may consider these as negatives? Or not?) - Expect 3 weeks for all repairs -so don't procrastinate! - Parking. Business is practically at COOPER/YOUNG -so parking may be difficult during lunch, dinner or other festive times. - NEXT TO SO MANY GREAT MEMPHIS RESTAURANTS -You'll be bound to stop and eat somewhere too. (Wait ... Is that a "con?") MY REPAIR: At home I have old and new technology -rack system that includes amp, turntable, etc. And I still have 2 SANSUI SPEAKERS that my father purchased ~1973? They sound AMAZING ... until one of the tweeters blew. Halford tested both speakers and repaired the one -replacing the tweeter and line level control. He was able to recycle some parts to save me money and my repair was completed before 3 week estimate. NOW THEY BOTH SOUND AWESOME AGAIN! ONE SOUR NOTE: I first made several calls to the business in attempts to speak with them before packing up my speakers and driving out there (regular answering machine gave normal business hours -no indication of being closed for winter break). Likewise their website said nothing of being closed. The day I arrived, a handwritten note on the door said that they would be closed until Fri Jan 4. So I kept my speakers in my truck for over a week until that day & they STILL were closed! Perhaps they meant closed "Through" Fri. Jan 4. Anyway, 3rd trip out there finally worked. I'm not mad at them for taking time off & the service was so good I guess I wont take a star away. Hopefully next time they will update their website, voicemail, etc. I DO RECOMMEND! HOPE THIS REVIEW WAS HELPFUL!