Address: 7265 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Fiounder: Glenn Phoenix
Current Status: Active
Westlake Recording Studios Los Angeles is one of the most technologically advanced and influential recording facilities in the world. Established in 1970 by acoustician and studio designer Glenn Phoenix, Westlake became the model for modern studio design and acoustic precision. Known for its immaculate sound reproduction and world-class equipment, it has hosted sessions for some of the most iconic artists in history, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Alanis Morissette, and Rihanna. From Thriller to Like a Virgin, Westlake Recording Studios has been the birthplace of landmark recordings that have shaped popular music for more than five decades.
Notable Recordings from Westlake Recording Studios
Westlake Recording Studios began as the headquarters of Westlake Audio, Glenn Phoenix’s pioneering acoustics and studio design company. Phoenix developed the “Westlake Style” of studio construction, which introduced non-parallel walls, controlled reflections, and carefully tuned frequency response. These innovations produced a neutral, highly accurate monitoring environment that quickly became the standard for professional studios worldwide.
The first Westlake studio opened in Los Angeles in 1970, offering unmatched acoustic precision and an atmosphere designed to inspire artists. In the late 1970s, the facility gained international recognition when producer Quincy Jones and engineer Bruce Swedien chose Westlake Studio A for the recording of Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall (1979) and Thriller (1982). The enormous success of those albums cemented Westlake’s reputation as a premier destination for high-end production.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Westlake expanded with multiple studios equipped for full band tracking, overdubbing, mixing, and mastering. It became a hub for pop, R&B, hip-hop, and film score production, with artists such as Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Alanis Morissette recording career-defining albums there. Today, Westlake continues to operate as one of the most respected studios in Los Angeles, blending its historic legacy with the latest in digital and immersive audio technology.
The facility features several studios, each with a unique purpose. Studio A, the largest, is renowned for its expansive live room and vintage Neve console, ideal for large-scale productions. Studio D, one of the most famous control rooms in the world, is associated with Michael Jackson’s Thriller sessions and features an SSL 4000G+ console. Each room is fully isolated and acoustically tuned, ensuring that what engineers hear is a true representation of the recorded sound.