Transparent, talented, kind & open. A true west county gem. I recorded my first album at Earthtones with my producer, Scott Elliot Ferreter, and David -- who handled drums, recording, mixing, and mastering. Most of the record came together over a few focused days, with a handful of extra sessions as it took shape. From our first conversation about the project, David's calm, grounded presence made it easy for me to drop in, trust the process, and create. His studio feels like stepping out of time -- a clean, cozy den where creativity flows freely. David has an intuitive sense of energy. He knew when to step back and let the process unfold, and when to lean in and spark something new. I was continually impressed by his ability to stay so present and attentive through long recording days. He's also an excellent communicator -- transparent with his hours and pricing, and genuinely invested in the music. David has this quiet, steady work ethic that seriously inspires me. He brings warmth, care, and professionalism to everything he touches. If you're looking for someone who brings both heart & precision to the studio, David is your guy. I can't recommend him enough. read more

I'm in the midst of releasing my first single, and it wouldn't be happening without David. From our first meeting, I knew working with him would be easy, fun, and productive. And it was! First off, his recording space is incredible. Excellent gear, excellent taste, and pristine attention to detail so that you can just record and not worry about the technicals. He also provided drums on my track, and he was able to dial in the right drum sounds very quickly. He's clearly a skilled drummer, but I also appreciated how easy it was to give him direction and riff back and forth until the style felt right. While recording, he was very encouraging, but knew when to push when he wanted to try something or felt like the recording could be better. Can't ask for much else. For mixing and mastering, he was really detail-oriented while still holding the larger vision of the song, and was very generous with his time (he didn't bill me for experimentation he did). He was also just budget-conscious in general and checked in more than once about time. Overall, it was surprisingly easy to let my control-freak stuff go because I had full confidence in David's ability to deliver a high quality product. Wouldn't hesitate to work with him again, and neither should you! read more

Working and recording with David Lipps is a super collaborative and passionate process. He's really dedicated to his craft and has an amazing ear. There were many times he would suggest changes that I would've never thought of that proved to be beautiful. He really cares about the product and is really supportive throughout the whole process. This was my first recording experience in my career, and I wouldn't change it at all if I could. read more

I have looooooved working with David. He has the soft touch of insight to really coax out great performances, and has great ideas when we run into roadblocks that really elevate the music. My experience of David is that he's very curious and always learning and re-evaluating what new methods and ideas he can use to make everything really zip. And he has that thing that I love in a producer/engineer, knowing how to get you to your best take without psyching you out by telling you your last take was bad/not good enough. He has a fine hand. The studio itself is really lovely too. Out in the woods in Sebastopol, there's the feeling of leaving the world to make magic, and it helps me get in the zone. Everything was pretty beautiful. Hope you make some great music with him. Love this man. read more

David is an absolute dream of an engineer to work with, and the space + gear he works with are nothing short of idyllic. Being a recording musician for 14 years, I have never felt as inspired, unobstructed, safe and relaxed as I have working in David's environment. The strengths of Earthtone Audio shines in many ways: - Mastery of the music engineering duties - Perfectly curated (for my choosy, soulful tastes) mics, amps, drums, outboard gear and wood-filled room in nature - A quiet, inspired, insightful, caring and nonjudgmental presence that brings the music out of you - Clear communication, and great direction when needed I stayed few a few nights in the nearby apartment, and it was so lovely having all my gear set up and the ability to jump right back in the next morning. All in all, I couldn't recommend David more. Thanks, David, for helping make my musical dreams come true! read more

! EARS OF GOLD ! That is what you will get if you head into Spareroom Studios. Besides its well-treated rooms, plethora of recording mics, solid assortment of amps, terrific drum kit, upright piano & many more gear options too numerous to mention- it is the ears that you are going for. David Lipps, the proprietor and chief engineer, is a stone cold professional who not only knows the gear and recording software inside out- he possesses what real producers and industry engineers are required to have: the ability to hear things in the tracking and mixing process that the artist or musician may not hear or have the patience/time to worry about. I have done 2 albums with my band Growwler with David on the other side of the glass and always the feeling he gave me was absolute confidence in myself and the weighty endeavor of making a record. And that's exactly what you want when you're leaving yourself out there in the booth on a particular taxing session. You don't want to worry about anything other than your performance, and that's what he gives you: pure confidence to turn in the best take you can. So I guess more than anything I have to stress how much better it is for your art to hire and work with an engineer who can actually hear nuance, transients, intricacies and all the necessary minutiae that goes into making a bona fide, great sounding recording. Other positive attributes of Spareroom to note: full service kitchen and refrigerator (can't tell you how much that saves you time in a time crunch session), easy parking, comfy cozy hangout areas, dog friendly, 2 iso booths and of course a nice large main room to spread out and get nutty. If you're looking for a passionate & masterly record maker, look no forward than Mr. Lipps (as we like to call him). read more

I've absolutely loved working with David Lipps for five reasons: 1. Friendly, down-to-earth, and humble. Super accessible personality. 2. Incredibly (almost absurdly) patient! I started graduate school while working on an album with him, and he was very understanding of the delays on my side, picking right back up where we left off. 3. Professional and highly skilled at recording and production. 4. Fair - even generous - with his time and pricing (great value). 5. Musically contributive. He helped me arrange and instrument my album, and even played percussion on almost all of the tracks. I recommend him strongly. I think there's a good chance I'll record another album with him in the future. Great skills, good studio space, and genuinely good guy. Look no further - Spareroom is an excellent choice. read more

David is an amazing producer - he has wonderful ideas, a great ear, and he is super talented. This was my first album, and I am so grateful to have found him to produce it! He is very kind and supportive and always checked in to make sure I liked the direction that the songs were going in, which I really appreciated. And he was extremely patient during the editing process despite my insane perfectionism! He lent his expertise to my songs and took them to a WHOLE other level, while still keeping the authenticity of my music. He was able to do so flawlessly for different genres of music as well! He is also a very talented drummer and played the drums for a lot of the songs. He was simply the perfect producer and I hope to work with him again! read more

David is a really kind and unpretentious producer, musician and sound engineer. He was encouraging, gave great ideas to my music, and also contributed his own drumming to my songs. I definitely recommend working with David and he is also reasonably priced. As a solo female artist, it can be difficult to find sound engineers (almost entirely male) who don't try to change what you are doing or inadvertently show you that they know more than you about music. David does not do this, he only works to enhance your own ideas. He is a humble supporter of the creation of beautiful music! read more

David is not just a knowledgeable technician, but a thoughtful artist. His space is organized and optimized for efficiency, whether you are tracking a full band or a more stripped down solo project. The live room is versitile with two vocal booths and an open middle room. There is plenty of space. There is also a small bar in the front of the studio for breaks. Be sure to order a delivery pizza from the Indian pizzaria close by. One thing I enjoy about recording with David is that he is transparent and honest with his feedback. He is intentional with the feedback and suggestions that he gives, and is willing to get as active as you want in the work. He does not pressure you into doing things or not doing things, but asks questions to help actualize your vision. I had a blast collaborating with David but I also feel that he could just as well have left me alone to do my own thing or completely engineered my project on his own. He is versitile in this way. He reads his clients well, and targets their needs. Whether you are looking for a handsoff, collaborative, or spearheaded approach, David is there for you. In addition to the quality that you will get recording with David, you can also expect to have a good time. He loves what he does, which is a beautiful thing to experience. If you care about your creation, you should rest assured that it is in the right hands here with David Lipps. read more

David is the BEST!! I have now recorded two albums and two singles with David, and I've played on other projects that he has engineered/produced and he is hands down the most professional, chill, kind, and talented engineer. His space in Sebastopol is creatively inspiring, comfortable and spacious, and David really takes the time to get to know what you are looking for in terms of sound. His equipment is top-notch and I always find myself amazed by how good everything sounds. I trust David 100% with my recording projects and you should too. read more

Recording with David was one of the most special experiences of my music career. His engineering is so seamless and streamlined that I hardly even noticed we were recording, leaving plenty of attention to soak up the vibes of his creative, clean space. David also offered insightful and considerate feedback and is great on the drums! I've had him mix and master tracks I recorded at home and he delivered the awesome final product quickly and communicatively. David is a humble and highly-skilled engineer with a really special space up in Sebastopol. read more

David is a zengineer. He puts you at ease and gets the best out any musician. I've gone to Spareroom to record everything from original music of varying genres to radio commercial work, and David always delivers a big, beautiful sound that's true to the material. His gear is all you could ask for out of a mid-sized studio, and the amenities are a plus. Aside from having an impeccable ear, David's knack for production is a huge benefit when it comes to tracking and mixing. He's even an amazing drummer should you need some percussion. Great guy, great studio. read more

David is simply the best. I'm a local Bay Area rapper and I've shopped around a few different recording studios in San Francisco, but recording my EP at Spareroom Studios was definitely the best recording experience I've had. He's very patient and thorough, gives really good feedback, and really listens to what the Artist is saying. Not to mention that he has a really good ear for music. He was super flexible to work with, and I would definitely recommend him to somebody looking for a space to record music. No egos here, just good music. David's approach was always to put the artist's perspective first. If I wasn't happy, he wasn't happy. I feel that's the way it really should be. I've had terrible experiences at other studios before where the engineer was really overbearing in the way they offered feedback. But with David, he allowed me to fully express my vision and gave genuine feedback in a constructive manner without trying to overstep his duties. It was a pleasure to record here and I will certainly be back! read more

If you're a musician at any level looking for a place to record, you cannot find a better engineer than Dave. I've recorded with him on many occasions from blues, funk, rock of all volumes. Dave is the perfect partner in the studio. As an accomplished musician himself, he intuitively understands how to support your creative process. He's patient as all heck, but also knows how to make progress at any stage. And I haven't even mentioned Dave's total competence in the booth an out. He knows his gear and has thoughtfully collected a very nice collection of mics, amps and preamps, other tasty sounding toys. And he knows how to use 'em. The guy has solid gold ears. Did I mention that he's also just the nicest person? I haven't been to his new space yet, but it looks like an absolute treat. Make me jealous and go pay Dave a visit next time you're looking to lay down some music! read more

I am beyond grateful to have recorded my EP with David. He produced my music in a way that felt so supportive and true to who I am! The whole process was also really enjoyable, as he is a genuinely kind and fun person. I was nervous going into the project, it being my first time recording my original music, and he walked me through the whole thing so gently. He was able to masterfully make my audio dreams come true, while also introducing new ideas that I didn't even know I needed. His ear is amazing. He helped me create something I couldn't have even imagined. I highly recommend David for all your studio needs! read more

Dav puts his heart and soul into his music. I'm one of Dav friends and have never recorded there, but I love the music that comes out of his studio. Can't wait til the next album drops. read more

David is a well kept secret. As I look over the other reviewers, some of whom I know, I smile. They all touch on what makes David special. I'm happy he's taking the next step with his business and looking to finally capitalize on the private reputation he's built. I'm also sad. David's only one person and I have to imagine these Yelp reviews will work. They'll allow his business to reach a critical mass. And we operate as a capitalist society. I know he won't be as available as he has been in the past. And it'll feel different. And it'll cost more. What David enables? Allows for? Is where he can really be appreciated. Through him, you can buck the system. In the Bay Area, if you're not signed to a record label, or make over $100K a year, or have REALLY generous friends and family, good luck recording an album. As you're paying $80/hr to track or over $100/hr to mix or master, you're dreaming of meeting someone like David. You'd kill to know that guy who knows that guy. Because he's the professionally experienced engineer with the private studio. He blows other "professional" engineers and studios out of the water. He cranks every single ounce of audio fidelity out of his equipment and space. And he's not flashy. And he doesn't have an ego. And he won't tell you what he thinks you should sound like. He's humble. He's effective. And he's actually invested. He cares. It's not just another day at the office. Holy !@#$. Personally, I've worked with David on my album. I've also heard the outcome of his work on other projects. To date, that encompasses folk, rock and roll, and rap. They've all sounded incredible, alive, and unique. I think I might have one review on Yelp? And I'm not sure if I have a profile photo or not. But for David, I took the time. Because I know he's always taken it for me. read more

I would highly recommend using David at Spareroom studios for both casual and high production recording, mixing, and mastering. The studio itself has a great vibe and character, also very roomy with a nice lounge space and amenities. Variety of equipment there exceeds professional standards, both in terms of recording gear and instruments. David has a fantastic ear, obviously very experienced and super quick to setup and get you tracking. He's attentive to adjusting mix and input levels, and super friendly and down to earth. I always appreciate working with engineer/musicians who don't bring a huge ego to the table either. Totally reasonable rates considering how awesome both David and Spareroom are! read more

I've worked with David Lipps at Spareroom Studios on several projects as a songwriter, an instrumentalist for a band, and as a producer. It's always been a meaningful and positive experience. David has a strong musicianship combined with a ton of audio engineering skills. He's open-minded and flexible about musical styles and knows how to help guide any given project. David works hard and is really efficient and diligent when on the clock. No time is wasted. The studio itself has a great vibe and has all of the audio gear and gadgets you need, combined with a nice lobby area where you can take breaks if necessary. Super comfortable space. Lastly, David is just friendly, he's easy to work with, and a good communicator when any concerns arise in the midst of working on any project. I wholeheartedly recommend him and the studio! read more

I'm a songwriter, band-leader, and producer and have come to David for 4 projects (two studio-albums and 2 day-long acoustic sessions, including one for a film), and have always been blown away by his attention to detail and commitment to the craft. He always takes the time to hear my ideas through (even when they're off the wall), and gets right to work finding solutions to create the sound I want. The space is humble and comfortable, and I've always left pleased with the sounds we capture. I can be somewhat picky with tone, and he's always willing to experiment until we get the sound I'm looking for. He's a sincerely kind guy, and his love for music and engineering is contagious. Beyond getting good results, I've learned a tremendous amount from working with David because he's patient enough to explain what he's doing and why he's doing it. It has happened more than once that by the time I show up to the studio, he has already set up a few mic A/B tests specific for the project I'm doing so that we're able to hit the ground running. When paying for studio time, that kind of diligence is incredibly valuable. I'm truly grateful for this space and David's expertise, because there's no way I'd be able to afford even remotely as good of a sound anywhere else. read more