Sam Pura really isn't someone who can be explained. He's more of an experience. I don't care if you're a 70 year old, lifelong studio musician composing orchestral scores for Disney, if you're lucky enough to experience Sam Pura, you will learn something. Sam is passionate about his craft and it's apparent immediately. It's all fun and games until it's time to perform. Sam is helping me piece together a demo of things I've been working on for a better part of 2 decades. It's extremely exciting but also stressful and honestly kinda scary. I was so appreciative to have Sam on my side once things got serious. He will push to get the absolute best he can out of you and for good reason. He cares. Like, a lot. He cares about the artist, the song and the quality. When I couldn't play something cleanly Sam literally turned his chair around and used his own human body to mute my strings so we didn't get unwanted overtones. This poor guy is using his thumbs, sliding up and down the neck while I play just because he cares that much about the product. Sam is sincerely inspirational and anyone would be lucky to work with him. There's a reason for everything he does and says and there's a reason he's the best in the business. There's also a reason he's everyone best friend. Sam was patient and kind and goofy when I needed it and knew just how hard to push when I needed it. They don't make strong enough words in the English language to express how grateful I am to have worked with him. Thank you, Sam. read more

This is so much more than just a recording studio--it's a place where artists can truly realize their dreams because Theresa and Sam genuinely believe in them. My daughter has been recording tracks here, and the experience has been amazing. She feels supported, encouraged, and inspired every step of the way. Theresa has a keen ear for technique and a deep understanding of music, which really comes through in the final product. The production quality of the songs has been top-notch, and I'm so grateful a place like this exists to help bring music to life. Thank you, Theresa and Sam. We truly appreciate everything you do. Sharing the Road is in their way! read more

Amazing producer DCC loves Sam Pura!!! Teresa is so great at vocal coaching while I'm recording. Completely comfortable, relaxed, for absolute greatness. read more

The Panda Studios - Sam working on our project for Devil Can't Cry. This shit rocks!!! - Recording & Rehearsal Studios Near Me - Fremont, California

As a guitar player of 20 years this is the best experience I have had tracking guitars in my whole career. Sam's attention to detail is world class. Theresa is the best as well! We were able to track in two rooms simultaneously. 11/10. read more

The Panda Studios - Main Control Room - Recording & Rehearsal Studios Near Me - Fremont, California

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I had the ultimately deluxe experience of staying at panda for a week and getting fully immersed in my project. I probably had the best week of my life. a few things: 1. best friends 2. the vibe of the session is unmatched, and as long as you're a good human with your shit together, you will have an amazing time, probably the best time of your life Sam is truly a one of kind person. audio wise, he is a true wizard, and even has the pointy beard to prove it. there is nobody on earth I trust more than sam to help me execute on a vision. the result of my session was just a way better, leaner, meaner, way more professional sounding version of what I already had, which is exactly what I was after. Theresa was an absolutely pleasure to work with as well - she simply gets it. I had the opportunity to spend 2 full days in synth land (panda east) with Theresa while Sam was editing drums i did previously in the main control room. Theresa is calm, skilled, easy to be around, and a wonderful human being. with her at the controls, I was able to fully immerse in synth design, not worry about anything except finding the tone I wanted. She made it so easy to go back and forth to synths, parts, etc, and never lost her positive attitude. all in all, it's a truly amazing place. it will be hard to convince me there is a better way to spend time than coming here and working on a project, and being best friends. read more

It was our first time ever recording an LP, let alone using a studio like this one. Charles Toshio made our process the simplest in producing our sound. If you haven't recorded a record here I strongly suggest you make the trip to their space and work with Toshio. The room we rented for 3 days was super nice and the amount of studio gear we got to use really gave our music a superior touch. The space was very clean and helped us boost creativity in finishing our project. From start to finish The Panda Studios was very easy to book and very helpful in making our new project! read more

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Two days ago I did a vocal session with Theresa and Sam at The Panda Studios and I'm super happy with the resulting recordings. Very clean and harmonically rich and a totally different level from what I had been getting in a home studio. I think this in part because of their great equipment but maybe more importantly because Theresa has a good ear for when a different take or a quick punch-in will make a difference. Process is very simple and easy, I just showed up with backing mp3s and my lyric sheets, we had a brief chat on what I was hoping for, and away we went. Strongly recommended. read more

I worked with Sam Pura for a new project. Sam worked out the details with us and recorded us in a timely manner. Edited and quantized while tracking. The product is incredible. The studio is a very nice vibe and Sam is very accommodating. Recommend highly read more

The Panda Studios - Recording & Rehearsal Studios Near Me - Fremont, California

I've been to this studio several times now since 2019, and Sam Pura is beyond the best person I've ever made music with. I want to start by saying there's no one I trust more behind the computer on the engineering side, but also behind the guitars, synths, and pedals on the instrumentation side; the guy is a master at his craft. I just can't imagine my band's music being at its best level if it doesn't go through Sam. A lot of producers offer their hand and push bands, and it's cliche, but Sam goes the extra mile. I love his energy and enthusiasm every time we make music. This is how I describe to someone who wants to be inspired. When you go a concert, it's loud and your ears are being blasted, and everyone is jumping and lights are going off, and it's a big party. I feel like in studio, it should be the same if you want the best results that capture the concert setting. Other studios I've been to seems too calm (this isn't wrong), but I want the energy. I guarantee Sam will give the band and songs energy, and it gives everyone a confidence booster. In technical terms, Sam's style is quite incredible. The science behind the pedals, effects, instruments, amps, etc is very complicated. It feels like these days, everyone thinks they can just use Pro Tools and get to the best product without putting in the work. When you witness Sam on his computer and around these instruments and gear, it's just enjoying to watch him in his zone. You won't find tones better anywhere. The guitars and drums are awesome. You have so many options here. Sam also uses evertune so the guitars stay in tune all the time. What more can I say. I just like how every time I enter and leave The Panda Studios, I feel inspired. Sam acts like he's a part of the band and doesn't give half effort. He won't let you fail on your songs and that's the kind of mentality everyone needs. read more

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The Panda Studios is a professional music recording studio in the Bay Area. It was founded and is owned by Sam Pura. I have recorded my band's music with Sam at Panda Studios multiple times, and it has been the best. Sam is an excellent producer, mix and master engineer, and songwriter that can facilitate with your project. Sam and Panda Studios is versatile. Any solo artist, group, or band could record here. Any genre or style. The studio has everything you need. The studio is impressive. It includes multiple live rooms and control rooms. All of the sound systems, technology, and designs are advanced. State of the art equipment. There are multiple instruments at the studio that you could use. Guitars, bass, drum kits, synths, etc. It is endless. Anything that your music project calls for; Sam Pura and The Panda Studios will provide. I have played my bass in the live rooms at Panda, and it sounds insanely amazing every time. The tones of my bass sounds perfect in the live rooms. Drums sound perfect in the live room with the Drumbrella. Making music here makes you realize how vital a real studio is. Nothing like it. Sounding full is an understatement. Working with Sam is very interactive, passionate, and inspiring. Sam pushes each musician to be their best. Sam will inspire you to utilize the entire studio. One example is not limiting yourself to one instrument. The things you can do at Panda are endless. It's a constant process of learning. Sam is deeply involved in every project he works on and will get the best out of you. Whether it's the best takes, pushing your songwriting, or finding the best tones, Sam is all in. You can trust him with searching for the highest quality results. Sam is very passionate and caring. Seeing Sam create art is truly exciting every time. Sam is also fun and energetic. You will not feel insecure. Joking around and laughing from time to time is vital. You need to have a fun time making art. Sam is aware of that. I can feel like myself and not judged. You could be passionate and make music seriously, but also while cracking jokes, having fun, and enjoying yourself. Sam's attitude toward making music is well-rounded. He understands the world and has a broad vision. Sam can stay focused, but apply everything around him in order to make the best art. I am always learning something new from working at Panda Studios with Sam. The assistants and other engineers at Panda Studios is great. Sam always includes all of his assistant engineers in his projects, and teaches them everything he knows. There is a strong team-work persona at Panda, and it is amazing. Sam wants everyone to reach their full potential, and he will always assist each person with their goals. I trust Sam and his entire team every time I work with them. The studio is very cozy and comfortable. It feels professional and has a music-making atmosphere. It also feels fun, creative, and unique. The panda decorations and vinyl records/artwork sets the mood for creative work. Love this studio. read more

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Let me just start off with saying that Sam Pura of Panda Studios is one of the most genuine and coolest dudes that I ever had the pleasure of working with. My band has recorded here several times and every single time he's made our sessions some of the best experiences we've ever had in our career. If you want a someone that can produce, mix, and master your music while caring about all the fine details that go into making a project great, than you can do no better than Sam Pura. The guy is a musical genius and really cares about the bands he works with and he puts his heart and soul into every project. Panda Studios is a great environment for a studio and has such a fun atmosphere for the creative type. There are several professional rooms available where you can write, practice, demo, and go through all the elements of the recording process with Sam and his extremely talented engineers. Every time we've recorded here it has been an extremely fun experience and we've came out of it better musicians with extremely rad sounding music. I couldn't recommend Panda Studios enough Sam has done so much for my band and I am so thankful to be able to have him in my life. Theresa is also really cool and super talented as well and Bowie is the best dog ever. read more

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i booked the baby panda studio yesterday for a couple of hours and had a great session. the booking process was super smooth and the communication has been crystal clear - also they have incredible gear.. looking fwd to doing more lockouts in the future :) read more

very cool studio w an extremely knowledgeable and attentive staff and some of the best gear in the world. Theresa was an incredible engineer and made our band sound like a million bucks. highly recommend The Panda Studios to make your next track(s). They'll take you to the next level. read more

I wish I could give panda studios 10 stars. This was absolutely the best experience I've ever had. I lived the life of a pop star for five days and came out with amazing songs and it was all thanks to panda studios and the amazing team of incredibly talented people. Sam is a genius period. They have a client for life and I know one day realllllyyyy soon it will be really hard to get a session here. Thank you guys so much I owe you everything and anything thank you thank you thank you read more

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I met Sam Pura on Instagram and being a huge fan of his work checked out the Panda studios on YouTube and fell in love the facility he runs. I recently had a chance to have Sam work mix/master a few tracks for my music and I had the chance to visit the lovely Panda Studios with my bandmates. All of them at Panda really know what they are doing and are absolute masters at their work. Sam is a pleasure to work with and the end result will exceed your expectations. The drum room is brilliant and his extensive collection of gear for everything - Drums, Guitars, Pedals, Amps, Cabs, Mics, All kinds of analog gear for mixing and mastering give you everything you need to make your next hit record. More than anything, Sam Is a wonderful guy and is easy to work with to help you make a killer record. Highly recommend. read more

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It's such an awesome time every time I step in The Panda Studios. Sam is very helpful when it comes to writing/recording/engineering etc. Big vibes of energy and always fun. I highly recommend this studio for anyone looking to have a great recording experience! I appreciate everything Sam has done for me by pushing the limits and always making the music sound great! He's helped our band out a lot and I can't wait for future sessions! read more

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In the final portion of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (Return of the King) Frodo utters "Oh, Sam" in a tender voice that conveys a sense of gratitude and emotion that could span oceans. Our band feels confident that we could express 10-fold that level of appreciation toward Sam Pura, the chief proprietor of Panda Studios. He approaches his work in a creative, committed, and energetic manner that is not only inspiring and contagious, but effective. He brings out the artistry in the band, and holds his clients to a high degree of accountability, rendering what could only be the best possible outcome. If you are an artist and you are considering working with Sam Pura and Panda Studios, make the best decision of your life and career today and say YES. read more

Great experience visiting The Panda Studios with local Bay Area band Goldview. The studio is beautifully built and the details of everything is solid. Sam Pura is definitely skilled and passionate in his craft and his work shows proof of that. I appreciate his generosity, hospitality, and his commitment to working with Goldview. I encourage all bands and musicians to visit The Panda Studios as I'm sure you won't be disappointed. read more

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Let me tell you something about Sam Pura; some say he is a savant, some say he works with great passion, I say he is the reason my music sounds better than everyone else's. Sam's dedication to crossing the finish line on projects without overlooking the slightest details is genuinely a gift you will not find elsewhere. I am beyond thankful for him and our friendship. If you are looking for a producer / studio look no further. His studio assistant Theresa is also a great addition and adds to the magic you find recording at Panda. Thankful for all he has done for me and look forward to future projects with him at Panda. read more

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I went here to record November 2020. I asked if they do pop music. And they said absolutely. Great so my band I went. The engineer spent 3 hours learning and troubleshooting his new audio interface. He constantly had to call his boss to figure out what was wrong. Facetiming him during the session. Super unprofessional. Then we finally recorded vocals. They werent in a vocal booth. When we got done at the end of the day, we heard pops and clicks coming from the new audio interface. He said we would have to come back to re-record the vocals because of the pops. And then after all that, I asked, "would you listen to this?". Engineer said "I don't listen to pop". Then don't tell me you do pop if you dont listen to it. How could you possibly have reference? read more

A phenomenal team and a phenomenal time. My band booked 2 weeks in the studio to record a project and slept at the studio in the bunks. We had a great time rising right out of bed and getting right to the creative process. Sam has a tight and cohesive team, which made that creative process more expansive, fun and directive. Shout out Theresa, David, Aaron and Sim. Overall amazing experience and amazing sounds produced. read more

I could record my grocery list and Sam would make it sound like an awesome rock jam, perfect for Summer.

Recording at Panda was one of the best decisions my band could have made. My music has exponentially surpassed my expectations, and I owe much of that to the people at panda. If you truly take your music seriously, and want it to be treated as such, I can't recommend Panda enough. read more

The crew here at Panda is amazing, and Sam is incredibly accommodating for local musicians especially. My band and I rehearsed for an upcoming show in their Live Room and it was the perfect rehearsal space to get "show-day ready." Highly recommend Panda for recording purposes as well! Just recorded the piano and guitar for an upcoming single. read more

Not sure why Steven felt the need to add his already well known opinion on working with Sam but what he fails to understand is a recording engineer that wants to turn up a good product for his client and his discography. My band Scryer recorded two EP's with Sam My band Moria recorded our last EP with Sam before we broke up I have nothing but positive things to say about Sam and his craft. He's good at what he does and he may come across as harsh but it comes from love of music and recording. I loved how raw he made my band Moria sound, mind you his setup was very scaled back and it was at his beginning phases of recording yet he managed to give us a very realistic vibe while not sacrificing quality. It wasn't until my band scryer entered the studio when he really showed me how much he was invested into trying new things. The first EP was very raw and he captured our sound very well. It wasn't until our second EP when I knew Sam really cared. He challenged me to play my best and even put up with me playing over and over again until I was satisfied with a good take. He even told me when I was doing too much and put me in my place. I learned from recording with Sam that less is more sometimes. Nothing but mad respect for Sam as a musician and a recording engineer, and I know many. read more

The Panda Studios is the bee's knees. Sam Pura, owner and operator, is ridiculously knowledgeable in sound engineering. He owns and operates Panda front to back, and does it with prowess. Producing, recording, mixing and mastering, he does it all- and all at a great price. Sam isn't just business, he is an all around kick ass guy. The place is gorgeous, completely built for purpose, but with great taste. Sam, and his studio, are top notch quality. If you're a recording artist looking to lay down some tracks with a BAMF at a killer studio, look no further, The Panda Studios is it, bar none. read more

The Panda Studios - Sam Pura @ Panda Studios - Recording & Rehearsal Studios Near Me - Fremont, California

I would be able to give four more stars if I can actually TRY recording at this place. I called them, the machine told me to leave my e-mail address, and they e-mailed me instead of calling me. This is what it said in the e-mail, word by word: "Hey Susie - My name is Brad Wiseman, I book Panda Studios. Could you please send me a time-frame and budget you have in mind for this recording? I saw that you mentioned you are looking to sure a piano. We have a Rhodes piano, would that work for you?" I thought it was shady how they ask me for my budget, instead of telling me THEIR rate. So I wrote them saying that I have a low budget, and they never replied. Uh.. What? Really? Some shady people out there, I tell you. read more

I recorded in the Panda Studios back when it was in San Francisco. However, now that Sam actually has his own studio built custom to his liking, I can only imagine everything being so much better. I checked the new place out when it was almost done and even then things were looking beautiful. Sam is a regular dude just like you and I. He doesn't come off with this "higher than thou" attitude like some people I've worked with. Although he'll jokingly give you crap for messing up, he truly has an incredible patience. On my last studio session with him, I was having problems hitting certain notes, so the band and I crowded into his SUV and he took us all to grab a bite. I'm not sure how typical that is for a person who does what he does, but it sure as hell was nice. I mean he didn't pay or anything hahaha, but the fact that he was thinking, "hey, let's go eat and get your mind off of this for now," was righteous. I don't remember how much we paid for all of our time with him, but I know we got a great deal. He was flexible, compromising, and really helpful in working with all of our time schedules. I never felt intimidated by the man, as he quickly became a friend of mine. I also thought it was awesome that he was digging some of our music. I'm not currently in a band, but if I ever join one again and we need to record, Panda Studios will be our first choice. Book your time with him ASAP, trust me, you'll have a blast and your recordings will come out incredible. read more

I'm a little late writing this review for Sam, but I did not forget how amazing this studio is. Sam Pura knows everything there is to know about recording music, and spending money to work with him is the best decision you will make. The prices for recording here beat any other studio in the area, and the quality that leaves the studio is the same. You probably have never worked with anyone quiet like Sam, so there's no way to prepare you. The best advice I can give you is to be ready to have fun when you're not recording, and be ready to work as hard as possible when you are. The studio is such an awesome space, complete with a working room, a live room, and a waiting room with bunk beds, a pull out couch, tv, fridge, video games, you name it. We've crashed there on multiple occasions and it's perfect for the band. I personally have recorded 2 separate occasions here, both times for the same Alternative/Rock project, but I have seen some amazing, Metal, Thrashcore, and Hardcore leave this studio as well. Sam can do it all. Save some money, and save your project by going to The Panda Studios!! read more

It's places like The Panda Studios that keep the dream of music alive. Working in the environment and getting to see how Sam Pura's mind operates is an experience to learn from all on it's own. Pura's experience, determination, and love for music and production is outstanding. He will push musicians to be their best so that you leave with the best confidence and quality you could have hoped for. If you are looking to take the time and put in effort to make your music sing the way it was intended, go to The Panda Studios. It is extremely affordable for the kind of quality you are receiving and unlimited knowledge of structure and audio. I will most definitely be returning to The Panda Studios for my next musical endeavors. Not only because of the sound, but because everyone there is some of nicest brightest people I've met in the music industry. read more

panda studios, when it comes to studios, is a necessity in the bay area. amazing gear, an incredibly inviting and creative space, and filled with a great team. i worked personally with Evan Yoshino last time i visited; his attention to detail and care over projects is unparalleled. Sam Pura, the head engineer of panda, is a best friend to everyone who walks in. he's welcoming, funny, and driven to craft nothing less than perfection for each artist that makes their way through pandas doors. if you're looking for a studio and people to record your next project, look no further. read more

The Panda Studios is where dreams become reality. As a musician in the Bay Area music scene, its hard to actually find someone who is creative enough, knows what he's doing, and actually wants to work with you. Sam Pura is all of that and soo much more. He was able to take everything that we have worked on for sooo long and make it just that much better. Production is second to none and after the first day of working with him, we decided as a band that we needed Sam Pura to produce this record. We are currently finishing our album and I'm very lucky i stumbled upon this amazing gem in the Bay Area. You can either go record where your friends tell you to, or you can do yourself a serious favor, if you take your music seriously, and go record at The Panda Studios. DO IT NOW!!!!!!!! read more

Here's the thing: Sam's the man. Best audio engineering bang for your buck in the greater bay area, bar none. Need a professional, low stress environment for tracking? Check out The Panda Studios. Not happy with the rough mixes you were given, and want to get a second opinion? Three words: The Panda Studios. For all your audio manipulation needs, my friend, you need look no further than The Panda. read more

Currently recording an EP here at Panda & we couldn't be happier. The vibe around the studio is great, tracks sound massive, and everyone here is really friendly, helpful and attentive. Definitely recommended by, not just myself, but many many musicians in the Bay Area as well. read more

Easily, The Panda Studios is the best one stop track, mix, & master spot in the bay area. With the amount of incredible gear and instruments available for use and Sam Pura's vast knowledge and recording prowess there's no need to waste time searching for another studio because this is the best there is. Inexpensive and incredible engineering. Professional, laid back environment. Zero stress. Everything necessary for a great recording and a great experience. Do yourself a favor and book a date. read more

After researching countless studios around the country, my band came all the way from New Jersey to make our record at Panda, and it couldn't have been more worth it. Not only does everything that comes out of here sound crisp, clean, and powerful, Sam Pura's production turned our material from a collection of songs into a real record. The whole team is great, lots of hardworking dudes passionate about what they're doing. Feels like not a week goes by without Panda getting new outboard gear, amps, sound treatment etc, constantly upgrading and expanding the palatte of sounds you have to work with. Oh and the vibes are amazing. Go here. read more

This is the second time that we have recorded a project with Sam at Panda Studios, and both times have been an amazing experience. From the first time that we met Sam, he made us feel right at home and treated us like we were long time friends. When we thought that this was all too good to be true, we then saw how he was when it came down to business. We have never worked with someone that is as diligent with his (and our) time. We literally had to wipe the spit from our mouths when we watched him edit drums. Incredible!!! Sam's knowledge of this industry and is pure intelligence made it very comforting knowing that our music was in his hands. We take our music very seriously, and it takes a lot of trust to work with someone regarding our passion, and we will not work with anyone other than Panda Studios. Aside from how amazing Sam is, his studio is beautiful as well! He has state of the art equipment and a very comfortable control room for all of us to hang out all day while at work. Knowing that we were investing our hard earned money into this project, he even set up another room, or living quarters, with bunk beds, coffee, TV, and an all around amazing room for us so we didn't have to spend more money on a hotel room. In short, Sam helped take our music to the next level. All in all, not only did we make a new business partner who will help our music be heard, we have also made a long time friend.... which by the way, is the best part about this whole endeavor. -- Dressed In White read more

My band recorded with Rings and he's literally one of the most genuinely nicest people I've ever met. The vibe of the recording sessions was super laid back. There was no pressure to rush. He just knows how to record and make any band sound fucking amazing. Yeah yeah yeah yeah! 69 stars for sure. read more

I have only heard good things about Panda Studios that coming from a lifelong bay area musician. I have made my living as a studio/performing keyboardist/pianist in SF for 26 years so should know. read more

If your band is looking for a studio to deliver the goods, do not hesitate to book with The Panda Studios. You will not be disappointed with the product. Booking with Jonathan was very easy and accommodating. Our band had the pleasure of recording with Sam and we were blown away by the quality of the recordings. He is obviously an expert in his craft and was able to identify parts and navigate through our songs without ever hearing the songs beforehand. read more