This is my 3rd CD project over the past 15 years. My Jazz trio had time during the covid shutdown to work on new material for an EP to get more work when things open up. I contacted Alan Sanderson at Pacificbeatstudios.com I set an appointment to tour the facilities and explain my vision for the 7 song EP. The place is very comfortable, with wood and and an earthy vibe, which all artists know is almost more important than the gear. Alan's many years in the business allow him to immediately grasp your vision and help you take it to the next level. This is a first class facility, with bathroom, snack area and temperature controlled. He had all the gear setup when we arrived to record. We did 7 songs in 4 hours and it took another 6 hours of editing, mixing mastering to get what I know to be the best recording possible. I highly recommend you bypass other studios and go to a pro that will ensure the finest finished product possible. If you want to hear the high quality CD, just contact me and I will send you a sample. James-Aaron-Jack Ghost Jazz Trio https://www.facebook.com/ghostjazztrio/ https://theghostjazztrioband.com/ read more

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Alan is top notch in the industry. Better to use someone that has the skill and experience, not to mention all the best and latest equipment...especially if your a solo artist or a small band trying to build your creation from scratch. Awesome atmosphere, professional treatment. We have been to Pacific Beat for 2 of our albums and was very pleased each time. Time management was extremely important to us being on a budget and we were not disappointed. I highly recommend Alan at Pacific Beat for all your audio recording, mixing and online projects. 5 stars Baby!! Ron read more

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My friends and I had a blast recording at Pacific Beat. Alan and his team were easy to work with and able to put together a song for my birthday in 2 hours. Highly recommend if you're looking for a solid studio! read more

We are a 3 piece Rock & Blues band and have used "Pacific Beat Studios" to record 2 albums. 1st let me say Alan is extremely professional, while remaining down to earth. His attitude towards us and the recording process was top notch and we never felt pressured. He has been in the recording industry for decades and it shows in all areas of the process. Time management is essential when recording to maximize your dollar, Pacific Beat Studios has all the latest equipment to make you sound amazing and Alan knows how to use it so that less time is wasted on post production, mixing & editing. I was personally blown away by how quickly he could resolve an issue or apply effects to enhance our music while letting the truth about the sound shine through. We highly recommend Pacific Beat Studios for all your production needs. Thanks again Alan. The XRev Band, San Diego CA read more

Alan and Taylin are possibly the best duo to work with in this intimate yet powerful recording studio. As an artist it's so important to have the right balance of creative energy, high-quality equipment and professionalism. Pacific Beat has all of that and more. Everything that comes out of Pacific Beat is magic and I truly believe its because of Alan and Taylin, the two powerhouses driving it. Hands down the best and most creative recording studio I've worked in. read more

My wife is a very talented musician, and I've had the displeasure of accompanying her to several music studios in Hollywood and San Diego over the last 5 years that have left me feeling disillusioned, disheartened, and deeply disappointed. These music studios have fallen short for her and me for a variety of different reasons, ranging from poorly skilled music producers working out of cold garages to seedy studios accompanied by obsolete music equipment to one particularly egomaniacal, aloof, insensitive, and totally unprofessional music producer that had my wife ( clad in a sweater, scarf, and winter jacket) sit on a wooden stool in the cold as she worked diligently on some songs for 4 or 5 hours at a time. Although I could go on and mention the names of these music studios and their music producers, I'd much prefer to strike a match and shine a glowing light on Pacific Beat Recording than curse the darkness of those studios that have fallen way short of the mark. In light of this, I want to first describe the overall vibe of Pacific Beat Recording: I found it to be boho chic, temperate, warm, and inviting. In addition, the furniture there is plush and comfy, so I was able to lay back, relax, close my eyes, and listen to my wife's mesmerizing voice. In addition, the owner and Grammy-Award winning producer of Pacific Beat Recording, Alan Sanderson, infuses his studio with a mellow vibe by turning on lava lamps, mood lighting, and candles. In addition to Pacific Beat's sweet ambience, Alan has a great selection of synthesizers/pianos, a Neumann recording mike, state of the art production equipment, etc. Located in North Pacific Beach/La Jolla, CA. I always looked forward to leaving my work in Kensington and driving down to Alan's studio to see him, my wife, and some of the other talented musicians ( in particular, Gregg Montante) that he brought in to add valuable accents to her album. Watching them work harmoniously and synergistically together was really fun and inspiring. As for Alan, the man himself: He's been very considerate of my wife and me, very responsive to e-mails and telephone calls, very determined to make this album the best that it can be, very passionate about his work, very dedicated, and most importantly, he took the time to listen and then tailor and/or align his production style with the original vision that my wife had and continues to have for her nearly completed album. In light of my gratitude for Alan, for his extraordinary musician friend Gregg, and for Pacific Beat Recording, I wrote Alan and Gregg the following e-mail on April 3, 2015: Dear Alan and Gregg, I just want to thank the two of you for the extraordinary work you've done in tandem with my wife. Alan, thank you for your top notch editing, recording, and mixing up to now. Although I'm aware that there's a little more production work to be done in order for her album to realize it's fullest potential, I want you to know that I'm incredibly impressed by the work you've already done on behalf of this unique and incredibly poignant and special CD. Like my wife, you're a perfectionist and a precisionist, and I believe that those are the two of the most significant character traits that separate those who are very good at their craft from those who are truly great. Gregg, I want to tip my hat off to you, applaud you, and thank you for many of the beautiful harmonies that you've woven seamlessly into the fabric of this CD. In addition, your creative, artistic use of the many instruments that you play so masterfully have made magical contributions to the texture and sounds on each of her songs. You are an extraordinary talent, Gregg, and I feel grateful and blessed that Alan invited you to participate in this cinematic musical endeavor. Alas, Alan and Gregg, my wife's CD will likely be completed in the near future!! I'm so excited to hear the finished product!! Thanks again, Alan and Gregg, for your expertise, professionalism, and countless talents that have made such meaningful contributions to this beautiful CD. With deep gratitude for both of you... John Boesky So, there you have it. You've just read an email that I wrote to Alan Sanderson and Gregg M. several weeks ago. After my wife called me today and told me that she stopped by Alan's studio and is feeling incredibly happy with Alan's production and the way that her album is turning out, I smiled from ear to ear and decided that it's finally time that I write this Yelp review so that Alan Sanderson and Pacific Beat Recording gets the recognition it so richly deserves!! read more

Out with the old and in with the new. Pacific Beat Recording is now owned, operated and hosted by Grammy Award-winning Producer and Engineer Alan Sanderson. This beautiful modern studio is just a couple of blocks from the Pacific Ocean in picturesque North Pacific Beach/La Jolla, CA., section of San Diego. It's old school meets modern technology and with Alan Sanderson at the helm recording, engineering, producing and so much more, this is THE recoding studio for all to see and experience. And if the studio wasn't grandiose enough, just being able to utilize Alan's 24 plus years in the recording business is a bonus within itself. Check out Pacific Beat's web page for a list of whose who that Alan has worked with.... I highly recommend Pacific Beat Recording as your one stop shop for all your audio recording needs." Yes, it's all about the vibe here at Pacific Beat Studio and this place has got the best vibe around! read more

Fernando, and the team he assembles, (engineers, studio musicians, etc.) are people of excellence--competent, skilled, wise and truly love good music. Their input is welcomed and refreshing and available when needed. They are consummate professionals and give you their all when working with you. The studio is warm and inviting, like recording in the comfort of your home, but with world class recording equipment, both new and vintage. Making high quality music at Pacific Beats is a wonderful experience; I usually never want to leave. read more

Alan Sanderson is so much more than just a recording engineer/producer, he is an absolute wonder whiz at it! He has recorded the best of them, from Elton John to the Rolling Stones, and as such is rightly picky with whom he chooses to work with. I feel tremendously privileged to work with him on recording my music. If he doesn't see any potential in the beginning, he will say so, and not waste his or your time. Musicians notoriously have fragile egos, so I thankfully haven't had that happen, but with his years of experience, and ear, I would respect his word. With my current project, I am working with musicians from my home country, South Africa - Barry Van Zyl on drums - I have known Barry since I was an early teen, and am thrilled to have him as the drummer on this project. He studied at Drumtech in London and at The Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA. He's been a member of the Johnny Clegg Band since the '90's, with a global touring schedule. Recent highlights include him performing or recording with Annie Lennox, Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Ernest Ranglin, Brian May, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The London Chamber Orchestra, The Soweto Gospel Choir and Oliver Mtukudzi, and now ...me! The amazing Josh Hawks from the multi platinum selling band Freshly Ground is on bass - couldn't imagine a more smoking hot rhythm section! The lead guitarist is again my old friend Brad Nel - we have been best friends since we were in the army together as teenagers. He has been a long time collaborator, and we've been through it all. Thanks to Alan, he is seemlessly merging the tracks that are being sent over via Dropbox and I think it is sounding incredible! Me on acoustic guitar singing my songs backed by this amazing rhythm section with their tribal African rhythms, and the most inventive guitar playing by Brad, all being produced and mixed by the legendary Alan Sanderson! He is magic in his studio, and knows his way around the plug-ins, and board like a brain surgeon hopefully knows his/her way around the inside of your skull! read more

Awesome recording facility fully equipped with the best gear available - new and vintage! Great staff...super professional and very friendly. Two thumbs up!! read more

Congratulations to Alan Sanderson, (Grammy winner and possessor of 11 Gold and Platinum recordings) who recently took over and completely revamped the venerable recording studio known as Pacific Beat Recordings. Alan cleared the place and installed all new equipment with and eye toward blending the warmth and vibe of the '70's analog sound with the most up to date of today's digital recording technology. Recently I participated in several sessions with Alan at the helm. Alan did a bang on job with the engineering. He may be called a recording engineer but really he is a caring and sophisticated producer who is also a great engineer. Thanks Alan for taking care of my artists. read more