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Silent Zoo Studios  

L-R: Victor Janacua and Silent Zoo owner Holden Woodward. Photo by David Goggin

Silent Zoo Studios has reopened as one of LA's premier music recording sites in Glendale, California.   

Formerly the Bridge Recording, a renowned Los Angeles scoring stage, the venue is now under new staffing and management as Silent Zoo Studios. The distinctive facility
was constructed to optimum professional standards and has served thousands of projects to date. Silent Zoo’s recent bookings include a cinematic trailer for Magic: The Gathering; jazz piano sessions; brass, strings and wind sections for Netflix; and vocal sessions for 2021 American Idol star Grace Kinstler.

"We are excited  that the studio is reopening with our re-capped 96-channel Neve VSP Legend console, brand new computing power, interfaces, and many more upgrades," says Holden Woodward, owner, engineer, musician, producer, and indi filmmaker. Woodward took advantage of the pandemic downtime to revamp the studio sonically, aesthetically and equipment wise. Carrying on the great legacy left by The Bridge, Silent Zoo Studios is committed to continuing to be an integral part of the screen scoring world, while incorporating contemporary music of all genres. The facility is also fully equipped to livestream live concerts, shows, sessions, podcasts, interviews, etc.

Silent Zoo's 1750 sq.ft. live room, adjoining isolation booths and spacious 875 sq.ft. control room allow for large-scale productions to record comfortably. While continuing its legacy in screen scoring, the studio is expanding to serve major recording artists and record labels. New video broadcast capabilities make remote recording and live streaming straight forward.

Building upon a Legacy
Silent Zoo Studios offers the latest Apple computing power running the current Pro Tools, Logic Pro and Ableton Live programs, including the latest plug-ins and recording software. The outboard gear and mic locker have been further enhanced including three matched original Neumann M50’s, maintained by Klaus Heyne, the foremost practitioner of condenser microphones modifications in America.

Aminities  AminitiesWith the capacity to accommodate 50+ musicians and two large iso booths, Silent Zoo Studios offers a full backline of instruments (drums, guitars, basses, keyboards, pedals, etc.); a 4K video rig with multiple cameras; a 9-foot Steinway Concert D; the complete Telefunken Diamond series of mics; and over 300 guitar effect pedals. Vibe changes and additions include vinyls and a record player in the lobby; art by artists from all over the world; Apple TV, video games and more; lightbulbs that can change colors to create any spectrum throughout the studio; and high quality coffees like Blue Bottle. The walls have exposed brick and the facility has vintage 1920’s lighting fixtures for an overall hybrid factory-industrial/rustic aesthetic.

The ground up 6500 sq. ft. scoring facility housing a 1700 sq. ft. stage (37’x48’ with a 22’ ceiling), two large ISO rooms (17’ x 12’), machine room, large control room (775 sq. ft.). is designed by Kaufman & Associates  (Formerly as The Bridge it was chosen in the Mix Class of 2010 )
 

Woodward a USC graduate....  



 Massive connectivity is built into what could be one of the largest, most comfortable, and exceptional sounding rooms in town.
The control room features  a piece of Hollywood history -- a 96-input Neve scoring console (previously at Paramount Pictures Scoring Stage M).
Another key feature at The Bridge is its dedicated cue mix setup for engineers via custom Neve 48-channel cue mixer???

Respected Engineers who have worked in these rooms include:   Brad Haehnel  , John Rodd,   Chris Fogel and Shawn Murphy, to name a few. 

" quote by Woodward.......

When Holden Woodward first set foot in the studio’s incredible 1800 sq. ft. live room, the veteran musician, and music/film producer, and (at the time) student in USC’s music industry program envisioned buying it as a personal facility. With its 96 channel Neve VRL console and large 875 ft. control room, it seemed like the perfect spacious and sonic environment to record his surf/grunge band Checkerneck’s new 13-song album and continue his slate of scoring and artist production (rock, electronic music, etc.) projects. In December 2019, Woodward opened it up for a screen scoring session with his fellow USC students––and it went so well that he decided to expand operations to become a commercial studio.

Silent Zoo named industry veteran Victor Janacua as studio manager in June 2023. Formerly with Record One, Ocean Way and United Recording studios Janacua brings a wealth of experience earned from decades of work in the music, film and TV industries. . "As we emerge from pandemic restrictions, Victor comes to us at the perfect time for our further growth and position in Los Angeles," said Woodward. 

 .......

In the main room, there's a Steinway Concert D Artist Bank Series grand, "a perfect choice for classical artists," Curtis adds.

Victor Janacua is not only one of the most experienced studio managers in the ever-evolving music industry, but a popular performing DJ known for his widespread knowledge of popular music. "I am very fortunate to land here at Silent Zoo, which has just completed major upgrades and is now one of the few remaining orchestral size recording spaces in the city. I'm looking forward to seeing many old friends here in this fresh new spot."

Silent Zoo has a large selection of drums, guitars, basses, keyboards, and over 300 guitar pedals; a 4K video rig with multiple cameras; 9-foot Steinway Concert D; and an extensive microphone locker filled with Telefunken, Neumann, AEA, and more. Advanced studio lighting can create immersive color ranges throughout the studio. The studio is also equipped to film and livestream concerts, shows, sessions, podcasts, and interviews.

 

It is this combination of technical infrastructure, equipment, acoustics, and the personnel that make up an enjoyable experience at The Bridge. Here you can enjoy a gorgeous, acoustically balanced, incredibly well isolated live room that can accommodate up to 50 players. Two large isolation booths with dedicated HVAC, each with its own independent isolation system, along with double sets of sliding doors.
"Plus we have seasoned staff with great ears, minds, and hearts. Clients rely on us to give them a really great sound and a great experience, reliably and on-time, without any glitches. We make them feel comfortable doing their work here, and send them home smiling. This is what sets us apart," says Curtis

Parking is available across the street at studio's Tech Shop, located at 5304 San Fernando Road. The manager scored high points by reserving parking for us when we were visiting. It's perhaps this attention to detail that visiting guests will remember. Seasoned manager Vicki Giordano comes from diverse background --Labels: A&M and Chrysalis; studios: Hollywood Sound Recorders, Audio Affects and PR.
Other key staff include: Tech, Steve Anderson (formerly at Capitol Studios) and Assistant, Engineer/Protools Operator Milton Gutierrez (formerly of Firehouse Studios).

Excellent restaurants surround you at The Bridge ...Porto's, Damon's and other popular eateries on Central and Brand Avenues and at The Americana in Glendale are only 5 minutes away!

For Booking or a studio Tour
Holden Woodward
736 Salem Street
Glendale, CA 91203
fn 818-484-5222
https://www.silentzoostudios.com/