The Last Engineer Standing

A Tale of Dedication, Sacrifice, and Success at Studio 18

Questions to Ask Before Deciding Where to Go

In the heart of Orlando's bustling music scene stood Studio 18.

Concealed in plain sight appearing as an ordinary residential home, it was a secret oasis for artists seeking creative sanctuary.

Adorned with art in every room from local legends, two recording studios, and a team of creative tenants who lived on-site; Studio 18 had a magical atmosphere reflecting the unique culture of Orlando.

They provided expert level musical services and hosted networking events and writing camps with up to 100 attendees.

At the helm of this iconic studio’s engineer team was Caleb Nathan, whose unwavering commitment set the stage for over 1000 artist’s careers during the final years of the 18 dynasty.

On January 1st 2020

I moved into Studio 18 after being promoted to full-time head engineer.

I transformed what used to be the master bathroom into my makeshift living quarters.

I put my mattress over the bathtub, my drawer in the shower, and my Yamaha speakers either side of the sink.

Living just steps away from the control room of neighboring Studio A had its perks, but it also came with its challenges.

Balancing personal space with professional obligations became a delicate dance—a sacrifice of peace and privacy.

The close proximity meant only ten paces until seated in the Studio A control room which was an undeniably short commute time to my “office.”

While this helped streamline my ability to produce, record, mix, and master records, it meant that if Studio A was occupied by an artist, I would respect the session by avoiding entering my room, or, alternatively, lock myself inside quietly until the session concluded.

If I needed to pass through I would enter the session briefly with a “Hi! I’m the head engineer, how we doin? Great. Don’t mind me, I just need to grab something out of this closet…” as I reveal a hidden door behind a wheeled acoustic panel and disappear into my bedroom.

Although Studio A and my bedroom were lined with acoustic treatment, I kept ear plugs nearby if I ever needed to get some rest.

Many artists prefer to record late in the evening

So my work and sleep schedule were very erratic.

As annoying as it may sound to live with a recording studio right next to your bedroom, I never complained.

I knew this sacrifice of my peace was what was setting me apart from all the other engineers in the city.

Others called me crazy, but to me this was a small price to pay to be head engineer of one of the top studios in Orlando.

Besides, I often romanticized the ability to hear the music and stories of the artists of Orlando.

I knew one day this would be history and often wondered what it’d be like to live in New Orleans in the early 1900’s and hear a young jazz musician practice his horn outside my apartment window.

I decided to see little difference between the two.

This was my home for four years. I fully embraced my role. I immersed myself and sharpened my skills.

I was lucky I didn’t have to search for artists to work with and they came right to me. Most would call in; some would just walk in. There was never a dull moment.

As time passed

I took on more and more responsibility. As we approached the property sell date, I found my colleagues transitioning careers.

This was a difficult decision for them to make, so I respect them for doing what they needed to do.

One by one the team thinned out until I was the only full time staff. The final six months I wore all the hats.

I answered phone calls, consulted with clients, picked the best fit of the two recording studios, made bookings in the calendar, ran sales reports, sent invoices, collected deposits.

I welcomed them into a clean and organized space, produced, recorded, mixed, mastered, took payment, and booked the next session before they left the building.

A stark contrast from my first day at the studio March of 2018, when I thought of myself only as a producer.

After an event I showed the 2018-era staff a remix I produced. “This sounds awesome, did you mix this too?” Iggy asked. “I don’t really know what that means; ‘mix.’ No one else has touched this but me.” I assured them.

I walked out of the studio that night with an internship position secured. “Well that went better than I could’ve possibly imagined.” I thought that then and it echoes in my mind now.

What Central Florida Studio Should I Work With?

Before and After 18

My music journey began as a young saxophonist in 2008. After years of practice and performance I would diverge, leading me into the realm of music production and audio engineering in 2014.

Drawn by the allure of shaping sounds through fine tuning synthesizers and using automation to modulate parameters, I found a unique pleasure of making machines feel alive.

Studio 18 was first established in 2011 by Connor Smith, Full Sail Master Graduate. I’m grateful for his guidance as my mentor and his support as my friend.

There are chapters of the Studio 18 legacy previous to 2018 that I never witnessed. Even after it’s closing, I’ve been lucky enough to hear new stories from others in the Orlando community of their experiences of either recording, working, or living there.

The final chapter of Studio 18's story has ended. I look back with gratitude and pride on the incredible journey we undertook together.

So here's to Studio 18—to the dreams we dared to dream, the music we dared to create, and the legacy we leave behind. And to all who walked through its doors, remember this: the magic of Studio 18 lives on within each and every note, a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of great music.

Though the studio may be no more, the memories, lessons, and friendships forged within its walls will live on forever in the annals of music history.

Keeping the 18 sound alive

Since Studio 18's close, I have been fortunate enough to have been brought onboard to the team at East Room Studios in Downtown Orlando.

If you would like to continue recieving high quaility results that you're accustom to, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's Work!

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Contact Us

Mail: Info@eastroomsuites.com
Adress: 1 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Fl, 32801
Phone: 407-205-2116