What Powers The Sound

At FM Sound Studios & Music, we don’t just talk about professional quality, we live it, breathe it, and build every session around it. Our equipment list isn’t a collection; it’s a statement. Every mic, every compressor, every signal chain is the same caliber you’ll find at the world’s top-tier recording facilities used by major labels and Grammy-winning engineers.

From classic tube warmth to digital precision, our gear reflects decades of musical excellence. Step into our vocal booth and you’ll see a Neumann U87, U47, and FET 47, industry legends that have captured the voices of icons. Add in Peluso’s C12 and 251 for vintage flavor, or ribbon options like the Royer 121 and Cathedral Pipes RCA-style mic for buttery midrange and high-end smoothness. Drummers and instrumentalists? We’ve got you covered with multiple Shure SM57s, Beta 91, and Sennheiser 421s for clean, punchy capture.

But great sound isn’t just about mics, it’s about the path the signal takes. That’s why our preamps include 14 authentic Neve 1073i channels, the Avalon 737 for silky vocals, and UAD’s LA-610 for classic tube saturation. We shape tone with top-tier EQs like the Pultec EQP-1A, Maag Mastering EQ, and analog color from SPL and BBE.

Compression? We go deep. From smooth leveling with the Audioscape LA-2A to aggressive punch from the 1176s and Distressors, our outboard arsenal rivals what you’ll find at legendary tracking rooms in Nashville or LA. Our mastering rack includes the API 2500+, SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor MKII, Retro 176, and the Empirical Labs FATSO EL7x, tools used on countless chart-topping records.

Monitoring is critical too. We mix through Yamaha NS-10s, HS8s, Avantone Mix Cubes, and a dedicated Yamaha subwoofer for full-spectrum clarity. We use Universal Audio Apollo converters for pristine digital capture and ultra-low latency.

Our Mac Studio M3 Ultra rig with 512GB unified memory ensures zero lag in even the most demanding sessions. With plugin suites like Komplete 14 Collector’s Edition, Arturia V Collection 10, FabFilter, Soundtoys, SSL, Antares Auto-Tune, and the full UAD ecosystem, your mix isn’t just polished, it’s elite.

Need strings? Rent one of our high-end electrics or acoustics in-house, from a Gibson Les Paul Custom to a Martin D-28, or fire up the Marshall Plexi and let the Orange or Fender 65 Reverb bring your tone to life. We also have over 50 boutique guitar pedals on hand to customize your sound.

At FM Sound Studios, we don’t settle for “industry standard.” We use what the industry aspires to. This is not a bedroom setup. This is the big leagues right here in the Inland Empire.

• Ludwig Classic Maple drum set with a variety of snares
• Great selection of high end acoustic guitars
• Wonderful selection of elite electric guitars
• Available as part of a session rental for extra charge