Recording Studio Sweet Spot: Fenix Studios — Staten Island, NY

Ready for some southern hospitality? If so, then set your coordinates and get in the car — only you want have to go as far as you might think.

To arrive at a unique audio location, let your down-under sojourn take you to Fenix Studios, in Charleston, Staten Island, just a stone’s throw away from historic Ward’s Point at the southernmost tip of New York State. While it may seem like a bit of a journey from midtown, there are plenty of locales that find the multi-faceted Fenix to be an an ideal destination for recording, mixing, rehearsal and a suite of other services that support entertainers.

What’s the draw for hip hop, rap, metal, rock and dance artists spanning Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, North/Central New Jersey, Philadelphia, and even the Poconos? Doubtless it starts with the console — a pristine 72-channel SSL 9000J that stands as one of the region’s mightiest SSL’s. A family-run facility since its inception in 1999, the appeal continues with the vibe — unabashedly old skool here, constantly updating there.

Indie artists flock to Fenix, but there are plenty of hitmakers in the mix: notable clientele have included multiple Wu-Tang members, LL Cool J, Raekwon, Tommy Lee, Victor Wooten, Living Colour, Fetty Wap, Ja Rule, Bernard Purdie, MTV, Universal, Sony and many more.

Ready to taste an entirely different NYC flavor? Fenix Studios President/Co-Founder Tony Hanson explains exactly why you should send your ears straight to SI.

One of NYC’s most scintilating SSL’s — a meticulously maintained 72-channel 9000 J, elevates Fenix Studios.

Facility Name: Fenix Studios

Neighborhood Advantages: Fenix is on the South Side of Staten Island, conveniently located between Brooklyn, Manhattan,North Jersey and Central Jersey. The studio is also in reach of the Pennsylvania Poconos, and 80 minutes from Philadelphia.

We are a 10,000 square feet facility with the gear, SSL 9000J console, and mic selection of a studio that feels as if it was pulled out of Manhattan and placed in Staten Island. With not being in the city we’re able to provide the same professional quality with much lower rates — Fenix Studios prides itself on offering prices that are accessible to all levels of music from starving artists up to celebrities and labels.

Something else you won’t find in Manhattan: We have an extremely large parking area, no traffic, privacy and are part of a family-owned building — that provides stability and security.

And Staten Island restaurants are second to none!

A Studio with SPACE: Here’s what we think makes us special:

10 Private Rehearsal Rooms; 8 Unique Soundstages for rehearsals, lessons and artist development; 2 control rooms: One 72-channel SSL J Series Console; One ITB control room with outboard gear; 1 Acoustically-treated live room with a Baby Grand; 4 ISO BoothsA 30-foot reverb chamber stairwell; Cyclorama White Room with Live Streaming capabilities with Kino Flo Lighting; 2 Artist Lounges; 1 Meet & Greet Showroom

The Yellow Room, an ITB production studio available with or without engineer.

That comes along with a friendly, productive and supportive atmosphere: We’re often complimented on the passion and friendliness of our staff. Everyone roots for the artists who come through our doors and we rally to assist with any problem. Customers love the relaxed lighting and enjoy interacting with different acts passing in the halls.

And we’re getting bigger every year! Fenix is always expanding our personnel and modifying our space. In 2017 and 2018 we upgraded our technology to bring more capability to our clients.

That all supports a serious in-house diversity. We offer all services to assist an artist working in music such as photography, music videos, bookings, social media, recording/editing/mixing/mastering, rehearsal, lessons, songwriting, vocal producing, makeup and hair, promo and marketing, fitness to keep our artists in shape, performance training, acting lessons, dance training and more.

The Audio Focus: Fenix has everything needed to function as a support staff for the recording artist. We offer space for engineers to come and use our equipment, but now have five engineers, three songwriters and an in-house producer who oversees all quality of artists within the development program.

The Showcase Room, one of 10 private rehearsal spaces.

We do a lot of hip hop, pop, dance, rock and rap, for clients who are recording, editing, mixing and mastering.

Date of Birth: Fenix was opened in 1999 by me, Tony Hanson, and my father Bill Hanson who mentored me through the process of beginning and running a business. Fenix began as a rehearsal and recording studio with few clients for the first years, in a fragile time where tape was dying out and digital audio was beginning to take hold.

I was observant of the studio designs that were fading out, and took an approach of compartmentalizing rooms as much as I could — no wasted space and multiple  use. The studio began to grow and when it did I reinvested  and kept expanding within the location till its current size of 10,000 sq ft. January 2019 will be 20 years in business for Fenix Studios!

Select Clients/Credits: Wutang: RZA, Ghost Face Killah, LL Cool J, Raekwon, Sizzla, Inspectah Deck, Mack Wilds, Prodigy, TI, Gucci, Soulja Boy, Fetty Wap,Chinx,  Producer GI Joe, Tommy Lee of Motley Crue, Mavado, Murda Mook, Bassist Victor Wooten, Living Colour, The Game, Blue Oyster Cult, DJ Skribble, Ja Rule, Bernard Purdie, Papoose, Remy Ma, Rick Ross Artist: Stalley, Kofi Black, Lil Kim Artist: Tiffany Foxx, Teairra Mari, Cheri Coke, Twisted Sister Drummer AJ Pero, Meek Mills, Jojo Pellegrino, Vito Picone, Dean Parrish, Fenix Down, Angelina from Jersey Shore, The Pennyroyals, Laurana Mae; MTV, Universal, Sony, USA Network Show: “Suits,” FOX, “Undercover Boss,” “Staten Island Hustle”

(l-r) Fenix Studios President Tony Hanson, Remy Ma and Papoose in Studio A

The Opportunity: Fenix has become what we believe to be the next business model: self-sustaining artist services. We have the facility and means to support a major artist as well as to cultivate our own talent.

We are a factory for media, video and audio ready to take on any project in broadcast and entertainment. In Fall 2018 we are beginning our own record label Fenix Records, launching two artists. We are also launching our own podcast network with three shows to start, all manned and maintained by our in-house departments.

All of this capability comes with its challenges, of course. Things we have to pay careful attention to include maintenance, supervising multiple projects and services during the daily routine, managing our resources, staff and scheduling. All of that requires constant observation to stay on top.

Quite a Console: Our 72-channel SSL J Series 9000 Console has great clarity and headroom. Coupled with one of the best sound-treated rooms in NY, the control room is a carefully crafted environment. It’s been hailed by the famed engineer Glenn Marchese as his favorite control room and studio to work in.

Live Baby: The live room took a team of professionals coming together to decide on a design worthy of professional sound. This room contains varied widths of wood with burlap in between —  direct angles are very hard to find, with angled corners and a cloud above. The room was modified and tested until perfected.

Inside the live room.

Key Personnel: Owner/ Producer/Songwriter/Engineer: Tony Hanson
Head Engineer: Nick Simone
Producer: G I Joe
Engineer: Liam Lynch
Engineer: Peter Grancio
Engineer: Ray Scavo
Songwriter/Producer/Vocal Coach: Josh Limage
Songwriter/Producer: Ariel U

Giving Back: We’re proud to run a program for disabled youth at Fenix, which is designed to help kids who normally wouldn’t get the opportunity to follow their dream of music get the chance to live that dream and harness their inner talent.

The program was important to us because when we were coming up in the music industry there was no place that offered that. It would be, “Come in for your lesson and then you leave and that’s it,” but with us the kids have the opportunity to come in for lessons and also get to use what they’ve learned to record songs and perform them on stage showcasing all their hard work. We love to be there for the kids and support them while they work hard to help them overcome obstacles in their lives.

The building is on fire, you only have time to grab ONE thing to save, what is it? I’d somehow get superhuman strength and rip the SSL out of the studio and run out with it. The SSL is an amazing piece of gear and is the pride and joy of Fenix Studios.

Pro video production is right onsite.

Most Memorable Session Ever: My most memorable sessions was when I worked with Remy Ma and Papoose on the song “Hands Down”! It was an honor to work with them and we had a lot of fun working together.

Session You’d Like to Forget: I do not have a session that I wish I could forget. Even if a session didn’t quite go as planned I still learned important lessons and grew from the experience, which helped mold me into who I am today.

Dream Session: If I can have a session with any artist it would be Michael Jackson in his heyday. His music even today is timeless and still seems to fit in perfectly with the sounds of today. I would have loved to been in on the production of any of his songs!!

— Tony Hanson, President, Fenix Studios

Another look at that 9000 J — JUST BECAUSE.

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