Address: 6050 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Fiounder: Allen Sides
Current Status: Active
Ocean Way Recording Los Angeles is one of the most revered recording facilities in the world, known for its impeccable sound, luxurious design, and decades of hit records. Founded in 1973 by engineer and producer Allen Sides, Ocean Way quickly became the creative home for a who’s who of the music industry. From Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles to Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Radiohead, the studio has hosted some of the most important sessions in music history. Its blend of acoustic perfection, state-of-the-art equipment, and vintage charm made Ocean Way Recording a cornerstone of Los Angeles’ recording scene and a benchmark for studio excellence worldwide.
Notable Recordings from Ocean Way Recording
Ocean Way Recording began when Allen Sides purchased and restored Studio A of United Western Recorders, a legendary facility originally built by Bill Putnam in the 1950s. Sides’ engineering expertise and dedication to maintaining the finest analogue equipment revived the studio’s reputation, and soon Ocean Way became a destination for top artists and producers.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Ocean Way established itself as one of the most technically advanced studios in the world. Sides meticulously maintained and modified vintage Neve and API consoles, Studer tape machines, and classic outboard gear to achieve sonic transparency and musical warmth. The facility’s acoustics, designed with precision and tuned to perfection, provided a balanced, dynamic environment that attracted a diverse range of genres, from orchestral film scores to rock, pop, and R&B.
By the 1990s, Ocean Way had expanded to include multiple rooms, including the world-famous Studio A with its towering ceilings and natural ambience, and Studio B, known for its tight, controlled tone ideal for overdubs and mixing. Countless hit records were created within its walls, defining the sound of Los Angeles recording for over four decades. In 2015, the facility was renamed United Recording Studios, preserving its historic legacy under new ownership, while Sides continued to operate Ocean Way Nashville and Ocean Way Audio, extending the brand’s influence into new frontiers.