Good story, Eric. A friend of mine worked there for several years as an assistant sound engineer. Really interesting to hear about the inner workings of a literal hit-factory (slapping recording star of moment A together with recording star of moment B, hit re-mix, wash, rinse, repeat).

Was anyone else as fascinated with Making the Band 2 as I was? I thought it was an extremely interesting / revealing show.

Eric Berlin
Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash

thanks Eric, it's a sad day and respresentative of a much larger decline - it's a different era of recording we're entering, one far less grand if also much more democratic

say it aint so. another sign of the times I guess. I wonder how the other major NYC studios are doing. I will have to call my old friends at Soundtracks and see what the latest gossip is.
The moment home computers hit the scene, we all knew it was only a matter of time. When I was assisting at Soundtracks, you could already feel a change coming.

Pro Tools!

that WAS the beginning of the end MT!

L, this was something like the fourth NYC studio to close in the last year - it's a grim situation

I think this doesn't bode well for studios that don't have a distinctive sound; too many studios' sound is indistinct or interchangeable. Studios like Abbey Road will always be there, not just for the historical factor, but for the wonderful sonics that come from their rooms. Then again, where's Gold Star nowadays?

Wow, I have been out of the city to long, who else closed? Don't tell me Electric Lady or the Phillip Glass place!

I remember when I went to engineer training. The teachers really hated the MIDI explosion taking off (dating myself a bit). I used to be amazed at the gall of studios that didn't have MIDI rooms. Now I see it was probably a self preservation thing.

Still waiting for my friend to hook me up with his copy of Pro-Tools so I can never leave the house! (All that cool big studio gear is just tooo freaking expensive, how the hell can I even think about a SLL board, an armful of Sennheiser mikes, Tube Tech and Behringer gear and keyboards, drums etc, etc? Do you know how many vintage plug ins I can buy for $1,000?)

Evolution in motion. Hate to see the dinosaurs go.

This is a really bad situation for all studio owners and sound professionals. Pro Tools is the best recording system ever created, but yet has managed to shut down the big studios. I knew from the first day I used Pro Tools on a session at The Hit, it was only a matter of time before we had a bunch of self produced, home recordings being pushed out onto the market. This is a great thing for the struggling musician, but the quality will also reflect in the music. Without SSL and acoustically treated environments, the songs will all begin to sound like they are being created at home. Well, what are you gonna do? I had a great time there in the few years I was there. Thank you Eddie, Janice, Troy, and Danielle, for allowing me to be a part of history.

I agree and disagree with you Rob. Sure, there will be many bedroom session tapes (or CD-Rs) that will go on to be hits, some have done it already.

But there will always be some of us who know to make a record sound like a real record, is HAS to go into a big room for a proper mix at the very least.

I always loved sitting with the engineers and watching them do thier magic, tweeking knobs and faders on old outboard gear to get all kids of cool efx...I remember watching over the engineer's shoulder while he added some cool azz effects on some tracks by Helmet (remember them?)
Wow, I can't stop commenting on this subject.

when john lennon was shot he was not leaving the hit factory ,he was leaveing the record plant on 44st while working on yokos "walking on tnin ice" with engineer sam ginsberg staff eng.

I had the pleasure of recording my solo album titled "frankie eldorado" at the old hit factory at the same time john lennon was recording his double fantasy with jack douglas producing up on the sixth floor neve console. John was not in any way concerned about security other than whatever the studio supplied at one point he would often walk alone after a session into the hell"s kitchen nightscape.Not just lennon but many people owe thier start to Ed germano r.i.p love Frank Daugusta

PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE!!!..thats all im saying..just..please!

In the name of keeping history accurate,On the nite that John Lennon,was shot he had finished recording keyboards and guitar,for Yoko's single "Walking On Thin Ice".Jack Douglas,was Producing and Sam Ginsberg was the Engineer At Record Plant Studios,Steve Marcantonio was working with me.We just had finished the mix of "Walking On Thin Ice"John and Yoko left in great spirits,from The Record Plant,and maybe 20 minutes later returning to their home he was shot dead.

Many great Recording Studios in New York have closed in the past years due to the change of Recording techniques,budgets and most important genre.In New York "The Record Plant" was one of the Greats, creating many great Producers ,Engineers and Record Executives,under the tutelage of Roy Cicala.Roy's Manager Ed Germano bought the Hit Factory investing and creating another great New York Studio,that now is closed.We miss The Record Plant as well as The Hit Factory and the late Ed Germano.

wow, thanks for all the great input - I was really sad about this as a student of musical history and I've never even been there. It's amazing to hear from people who have been doing it all along! Thanks and deepest regrets.

We're in the middle of yet another tech revolution - I think we will see some swinging back into the "real" studios after it becomes clear there are some things you can't do at "home."

Well it's Electric lady and sony holding up the standard of recording and mixing that most of us in the know needs to keep going. maybe lowering the rates a bit might help since the budgets are not what they used to be.also now the second tier studios will pick up some of the slack.frankie D.

does anyone know when the auction is for the outboard equipment?
i want to buy some of that legendary gear.
i do not care what the cost is.
just to record through a mic pre or an eq that
lennon or any of the other legends created through, would be unbelievable.
i produced some stuff once using the pre's in the original beatle board that was used for some of their albums. kravitz had put it into an old hoboken studio called waterfront some time ago.
i might be crazy but it had a magic.

zefron, I would contact the studio directly if I were you - they haven't closed yet. They also might be moving some/all of the equipment down to Miami: they are going to continue to run what used to be Criteria

There was a comment about music sounding like it was created at home. That can sound OK, too, but it's not always a good thing. High quality production is fine, but sometimes music gets overproduced to hide its lack of substance. Maybe this will force everyone to kick their songwriting skills up a notch.

Vern, it's a spectrum like most everything else, with strong positives and negatives to each: ideally production style is attuned to the needs of the specific music being made, but we all know it's a lot more complicated than that, and big-ass budgets tend to be spent regardless of need.

Crazy news! Damn!!! Those studios were amazing. . . some of the best rooms in the world. W. 54th Street will not be the same!!!

it would be great if any insdiers could let us know about the fate of the equipment

i heard today that sony music studios is to follow.
the recording studio across the street from the hit factory on 54th street.
insiders told me this is to happen in the next three to four months.
i was also told that condos will be built where the hit factory stands.
btw, i have sat in on a few sessions at theses places
and even though people record through the boards and outboard equipment, they are still mixing in protools AND they are changing the room sounds and the eq's with protools plug-ins.
alot of records are not even using the virgin room sounds.
i saw engineers reroute guitar sounds after they have gotten a great sound through amplitube plug-in to crank it up another notch.
lastly, everyone edits the songs and sterilizes them in protools.
not many records are recorded and mixed raw these days.
maybe that is why they really DO NOT have the magic of the preprotools days.
could protools create an album like "something anything" todd rundgren. i say no way.
but i think protools is an inevitability.

dont shut the factory down ! so many people recorded there and one of my best friends was going to but of course you had to shut it down before she had the chance! yu made her very upset ! how could you do this ! DO NOT SHUT THAT HiT FACTORY DOWN !!!!!!!!!!

YEA STEPHANIE...YOU ARE SO RIGHT..IM SO UPSET ABOUT THIS..WHEN I FOUND OUT I WAS SHOCKED..AND I KNOW EVERYONE ELSE WAS TOO..NO EFFENSE BUT YOU ARE KILLING A WONDERFUL THING...WELL..WE CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT..EXCEPT WITH IT WASNT HAPPENING..

Please do not close i will do anything i have my best friend on the pathway to being famous. she really wanted to record there she had a meeting and everything she is really good and i really want to see her happy. so please dont close.

I'd like to set the record straight.
The Hit Factory did not shut down because the industry was not able to support it or competition from smaller digital studios. In fact, we have been slammed here recently. Almost every studio (seven of them) has been booked almost everyday. The biggest problem around here for us has been an overworked staff. The owner, Ed Germano, died a couple years ago and left the studio to his wife, Janice. She doesn't really want to run a recording studio, she wants to move to Florida to be with her family. There is another Hit Factory down there so at least she'll have that. To her this was merely a business decision. The Hit Factory is worth more as office space and condos than as a studio. And yes, that means that there will not be another studio where this one now stands. All of the gear will be sold, but not at an auction. A third party (I don't know who) will be taking care of it. I'll try to answer any more questions if you guys have them.

I am still in SHOCK over the closing of what I consider "My Home" I was raised at the Record Plant NYC during this amazing recording era. I then moved to The Hit Factory when Eddie Purchased it and worked on the masterpiece by Stevie Wonder "Songs in the Key of Life" as a second engineer to Gary Olazabal, Stevie Wonders long time engineer. I spent many years working at The Hit Factory. I OWE my recording life to this place and I WILL NEVER get over Eddies passing or The Studio.
Thank you to all the Germano's
Love always !!!!! Howie Lindeman HowardLindeman@aol.com

Thanks "record straight setter," we very much appreciate the inside info and would love it if you would check in with news as it develops - there seems to be particular interest in where the equipment is going to end up.

And thanks for the testimonial Howie, sounds like an awful lot of exciting work.

0okay to be quite honest...to me it doesnt matter why they are closing...if the owner wanted to move to florida..thats fine...but you do not have to shut it down..you could have sold it...you would have gotten alot more money and people would not be upset...this is a big dissapointment to alot of people..and i know that..im npt trying to sound rude or anything..and if i am im sorry...but nothing this great and wonderful and succesful should be ended!!..its not right...just not right!!

Dee, I believe the point "record straight setter" is making above is that the owner can make a lot more money by NOT selling it whole as a recording studio, but by breaking it up into "office space and condos," so that's what she is doing.

thanks for "setting the record straight."

what is happening to Danielle and to Troy Germano? What are they up to? Is the family still in tact and on ok terms and in the biz? I believe that Danielles husband was a producer as well even~

thanks for keeping us all up to date with the info, and providing it accurately, it is a shame for the HF demise...

I will say The Hit Factory and the late Ed Germano will be missed by not only nyc but people all over the world who made music there ..I was at both hit factoys and helped FRANK C .. who desinged and made the blue prints for the hit factory .. on 54th st that was before that BELL SOUND STUDIOS .. I will miss them all AS MUSIC IS LIFE .. from BLEU OCEAN .. NYC 2005 ..

So, ya want all the poop, I got it. been there more than anyone and it is sad to see everything I've done go away. Please be patient, the gear is being loaded out and invertoried, tagged, and will be availabe and announced within the month. a few consoles are already in discussion, Don't count on gettin any of them neve's, they're off to FL. And, no profools was not the nail in the coffin for the hit. True things had to change and they did an its been busier the last 6 months than it has in last 2 years. For the record, no, not all mixing was being done in PT, c'mon, like who doesn't know to use PT as a tool and the console/gear as the soulmaker. And 50 cent was not stabbed outside, nor was it in one of the rooms. And now that SSL is up for sale, whats gonna happen to the biz. Crap, I gotta get out of this business.
As for your other ?'s Danielle left many years ago, and Troy made the difficult decision of resigning almost 2 yrs ago. So, there ya are, hope this satisfies your querries. And though the rumors were than John Lennon left The Hit, as you've read above, he was at Record Plant.
well, isn't it ironic, the new room wins Mix magazine's 2003 TEC and closes shortly after

Dear howie,It's been a long time no seeI do hope things are going well.Im in the process of getting my second album from janice germano,so I can release it along with my "frankie eldorado"album on my official web site my album has made some noise as of late but has been put out by everyone but me.yours truly frankie daugusta.

great to hear so much real and inside information and memories from those who are/were involved. Thanks and best wishes to all

i must tell u.. i was a assistant engineer at the hitfactory rite up till the call was made that we were closing.. the place fell apart after eddie died.. janice did nothing to keep it open.. we lost clients.. we lost friends and more importantly.. we lost the passion that kept the damn place open... sorry to u.. the hitfactory went out an embarrasment to eddie.. not the great place it used to be...

or you could try the truth.... Was there the day they said it was officialy done must have missed you!!

"i must tell u.. i was a assistant engineer at the hitfactory rite up till the call was made that we were closing.. the place fell apart after eddie died.. janice did nothing to keep it open.. we lost clients.. we lost friends and more importantly.. we lost the passion that kept the damn place open... sorry to u.. the hitfactory went out an embarrasment to eddie.. not the great place it used to be...

for the comments over the weekend... Paul, err, we try to say the truth here. A) you were, um, no longer employed at THF in what Nov? I won't go any further, we'll let it go at that. B) You weren't even employed here when Troy resigned, let alone before Eddie passed, so how do you know how it was before then. C) Losing clients? hmm, clients have come and gone for years. the long terms ones stayed, and the flash in the pans were still coming and going. NYC had a drop at all studios in '03 and early '04, but damn, THF has been the busiest studio in the city since the summer. 3 studios were booked regularly by 3 clients for months and the others generally had sessions 5 or 6 days of the week, and on many days 2 sessions per day. Whatever, losing the passion, thats possible but why?was it the the new people coming in thinking things should be given to them cause they know how to put PT into record and didn't want to do anything else, or just the general feel of the industry as record companies cuttin back so everyone gets paid less. you can all decide.

perspective is everything, eh?

0okay at this point i dont even care is i sound rude....CLOSING IS THE STUPIDEST THING YOU COULD EVER DO....omg do you people get it now????...grrrrr!!!!...you make me so mad...you probably dont get why i am so concerned with it..but i have my reasons..this is the most succesful thing like in the world and you are KILLING IT !!!!!!!!!!!x0ox

if the owner isn't interested in running a recording studio, can make much more money turning it into something else, how is that "stupid"? YOu may not like the decision, but how is it stupid for her?

The Phantom Poet creates his tracks at home and there's (29) world wide distribution deals that says times have
changed for the poor-artist better:"
Sound of Literati" witness the powerful experience of the spoken word
Xplosion! When you come out your bedroom straight to the distributor atleast your publishing principals don't come out the bedroom: Available now inside MSN,PureTracks,Emusic,AOL's
Musicnet,VirginDigital,AudioLunchbox,
Apple iTunes,QtrNote,Music4Cents,Music-
Is Here,AT&T Mmode,SonyConnect,
Rhapsody,Rollingstone.com,Etherstream,
Mperia,BuyMusic,Napster,YahooMusic,
On-Line-Promo,CatchMusic,RuleRadio,
ViztasDigital Marketplace,Tower,Virgin-
Digital,OD2,Mp3Tunes,Apple iTunes,Dell
Jukebox,Sympatico,Telus,Speakeasy,
Audiogalaxy,EarthLink Music Center,
DiscLogic,Netmusic,RuckusNetworks,Loud-
Eye running across europe with Nokia
mobile phone platform,Motorola in the mix,BT telecommunications and more. I'm still in the bedroom and ain't intending on coming out until its time to go on vacation!

A dinosaur that lived long passed it's time. The music world no longer needs a large number of over-sized, over-priced and over-equipped studios that create over-produced, bad music. But where will Billy Joel and the latest hip hop fools record their garbage? Quad maybe?

This is bad. This is so bad. I know for a fact that the Hit Factroy is closing because even though it was busy it wasn't making any money and I fear that this is the beginning of a trend. Will all the big NYC studios close? And what about all the employees of the Hit Factory? Will they all have to work at Guitar Center or Sweetwater to pay the rent? I think this is the beginning of the end for the big studios!! I really do and I'm not the only one. Most of the people I know that work for record labels say that people are recording great albums at home for $7000 and that there is no real reason to shell out big money to a big studio anymore. They say they would rather give an artist $10,000 to buy protools and not send them in to suffer with some "cokehead" engineer in NYC or L.A. The funny thing is that I'm in the record business and most of the stuff I hear that's done on protools in small studios is as good as the stuff done to tape through an aircraft carrier sized SSL at the big ones! I work at a major label and believe me I hear alot of music every day. I fear the worst is yet to come and feel sad for all my friends at the Hit Factory who will now be out of work--possibly for good.

Don't blame protools or the music industry or anything else. Blame Janice. She decides that she doesn't want to run a studio and now I'm out of a job. What am I supposed to do now? There aren't many studios around that have permanent staff like the Hit Factory. Let's face it. No one closes a thriving business. The studio wasn't making money and the building is worth more than the studio. But let's be honest about it. I put so much into that place and now I'm out in the cold!

This family was a mess. Eddie was a big bully that screwed 100's of people, Troy...totally incompetent! Those of you that worked at THF or had any negotiating with them know what I'm talking about!!! This should have happened a long time ago. Good Riddance to the Shit Factory!

I'm happy we can be a place to vent, but it would really be great to hear stories about your favorite (or least favorite, for that matter) recording sessions there. What are your favorite records you worked on? We'd love to hear those kinds of things as well.

I do agree with GOOD RIDDANCE eddie germano screwed a lot of people out of big money,Im in that club If you were not in the Grubman,Mattola,weiss,or shukatt old boys club consider yourself screwed.If you were signed to his company"ego"records grubman was repping eddie and shukatt was repping you all the while both working for eddie at the same time.my own fault janice could not even hold a conversation let alone run a company.she was only out for herself and if you read what troy said on page six n.y.post It's all to true she had no people skills,she ran it into the ground.

in retrospect to the Smartguy that left the comments after mine... OKAY BUDDY>>>MAYBE i didnt work there when it closed its doors.. but i took the people that bought the building on the tour of the building wayyyyyy back in august..Working the moring shift.. i knew the place was closing.. Art mignone told me to keep my big mouth shut.. i should have went the media with it then.. and FYI anyone thats in recording knew the hitfactory and who eddie was.. i didnt need to know him or troy.. there reputation for studio owners reverbed all the way down to full sail... Ur such a big person to come on here and talk me down and put me on blast.. why dont u come out with ur name so i can find u and do what i did to everyone of u on my Diss TRak... please belive that A..janice destroyd a great thing... B.. that place was ran horribly... C..FAKE PEOPLE RUINED THE HITFACTORY.. AND 98.8% OF ANYONE THAT I HAD THE HORRIBLE PRIVILIDGE OF WORKING WITH WAS JUS THAT.... GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CAREER AS A PROTOOLS EDITER.. CAUSE THE DAYS OF BIG STUDIOS HAS JUS DIED WIT THAT BUILDING.

and since we are blasting out here... A.. i spent more days n nights doin nothing as a G.A. then anything else.. all my runs were to janices house cause she wouldnt come in to sign checks... 2 sessions a day in a building with 6 SSL's is crap.. and UMMM HOW MANY ASSISTANTS HAD DOWNLOW SESSIONS AT NIGHT in an EMPTY BUILDING??? UMM JUS ABOUT ALL OF UM.... PUT THAT IN UR BONG N SMOKE IT... EDDIE WOULD HAVE NEVER PUT UP WIT THAT CRAP.. U DAM WELL KNOW IT... For all i know ur probably one of them. DONT U DARE TELL ME I ASKD FOR ANYTHING.. I BROKE MY BAK FOR THAT PLACE.. AND ALL I GOT IN RETURN WAS A JUDGEMENT MADE CAUSE IM WHITE AND I RAP.. U EGOTISTICAL FOOLS CAN GO KISS SOME OTHER STUDIO MANAGER'S BUT.. IM DOIN JUS FINE RUNNING MY OWN PROTOOLS SPOT IN JERSEY..

0OKAY FOR THE LAST TIME.....DO NOT FREAKIN CLOSE...AND AGAIN..AT THIS POINT I DONT CARE IF I SOUND RUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why not close,can you afford to make a record there.Mr dmr?Im sick of these prefab sounds.Do you know what a great rhythem section sounds like playing live in front of you.A lot of todays people never saw anything like it.Its a shame.

Yeah, anyone that worked there at THF or for THF saw it was gonna close a year ago. Gee Paul, Blasting out? I just set the record, you didn't have to take offense. And I missed the spot where I said I was such a big person, now was I talkin you down, and I acn't retort to 'put me on blast' as I know not what that means exactly, read my clip again. Curious as to who were the 1.2% of the people that made it worth working there, and no, I'm not trying to provoke anything here. And you think your 'downlow' sessions weren't happening before/after you or at any other studio at any time? This is how people get their experience. You don't even know how many engineers recorded albums at night before they got their break.
As for the studio, guys, stop asking for it to stay open. It's done, underway, no more sessions there. the other studios in town will, and have, taken up the slack thats freed itself now, so other studios will be busy for a while, but as for the large format studios, they will dwindle a bit over the next few years and some will remain open, but not too many - look how many have closed in CA/NYC over the last 6 months.
Hurt, c'mon, it's the music business. It has a history of people screwin over people - they weren't the only ones doin it - look at all the big rock bands that got screwed, then found other groups to rise to the top only to take their $ cause they learned the game when they got screwed.
A&RDept - how you know for a fact that they weren't makin money, when I know they wouldn't expose their financial records on their financial venture last summer.

Paul, please don't try to write. You have the grammar skills of a retarded 5th grader. Thanks.......

Paul, you say everyone judges you because you're white and you crap. Maybe it's because you're a Vinny from Jersey who's just a little bit ignorant/uneducated. I loved working at the Hit Factory and think it was a great studio.

there seems to be something of a culture clash going on here: was that evident when the studio was open?

Ok,, julie.. newsflash..i grew up in brooklyn and my vernon all my life.. 4 years in jerzz isnt nothing.. i graduated top of my class in college so please wit ur uneducated crap.. to R.. i think i know who u are now.. and u are one of the people i had respect for.. u and johnny B. maybe john the GA.. u have to realize.. i broke my ass for that company.. lost my mental and physical strengh over it.. went into credit hell for it.. and gave up my friends n family for it.. and to have people talk ishh bout me for who i am.. or tell me u wont be promoted because ur "to street" or have ur boss call u 8-mile behind ur back.. i took it alot.. and i dont kiss ass.. i dreamd of that place since i was 14, what i went in with and what i came out with, was two differnt worlds.. I dont have a trust fund, i dont have anything but my passion for music and all the drive in the world to make it.. so to have ur comrads mocking that cause of the "genra" i choose.. please.. they can all get it... maybe not u, maybe not Johnny or john.. u always respected me for who i was.. and i thank u for that. but jus see things from my viewpoint.. all i ask.. i had good times.. but the bad times out wieghd the good for me.. and in the end. my knowledge of the closing was what ultimitly made me leave.. u try living with that and not being able to tell anyone for fear of a lawsuit... it hurt me.. for u and for everyone else i knew was gettin the shaft... thats all ill say on this topic.. good luck in ur career..

0okay first of all mr exp. musician..I am not a MR im a MISS...and yea i can afford to make a record there and oh yea..i was going to...I had a meeting there with (someone)...no names mentioned...and i was going to record a few of my songs there to get myself exposed...songs that i wrote...caus i know what talent is...not this rap crap that people listen to...i know what talent is because not alot of people have it..and its a shame...UGHHHHH!!!!!!!

People, settle down, the internet isn't a place to get your tail feathers in a mess. Arguing on the internet is like competing in the Special Olympics - even if you win you're still a retard.
Ok, with that said, no there was not a big culture clash at The Hit, people may not like what they were working on all the time, but thats why it's called a job, otherwise it'd be called Happy Play Fun Time.
And for all those wondering about gear, you can address SERIOUS inquiries to HitFactoryGear@proaudiodesign.com -let em know Chilly sent ya - it won't get ya any better deals, but they'll know who sent ya to em.
Nothing's left the building yet, but some stuff has apparently been spoken for as I noted previously. Good luck on your endeavors. Be it country, Hip and/or hop, rap, metal or blues - there's a market out there for everyone, so remember we're all in this for the love of the music that led you into this topsy turvy industry. Just whatever you do, don't mix country with rap, or you'll en up with CRap.

I hate reading about this. I worked at The Record Plant many years ago and it killed me when they closed. Ironically I now live in Nashville and I work at a studio that just purchased the K9000 from the Hit Factory. I might be the first to use it and if I do I will treat it with a lot of respect. I still enjoy working on an anolog console and it definitely sounds better than in the box.
And Sam was right about Lennon. His last whole week was at The Record Plant in the Mix Room on the 10th floor.
Steve

A&R Guy:The way of the Big studio is the same way the labels will go.With Independant Publicity and Promotion.Distribution on ITUNES ETC,Artist will not have to sign their careers away.

nothing is certain but change

Paul, I have interned at studios and labels and I remember how hard and thankless it can be. It's good if someone can start their own thing with protools in a small studio and not have to be a slave for little or no money at one of these giant studios. You work cleaning toilets for the chance to maybe some day move up when with you're own set up you can just record and mix music. I hate that whole grammy horny major label/studio world and think that although they serve a purpose, it's great that people can do serious music in a project or small studio!

well-put Mike, it's called technological change and it has been going on for a few thousand years. it's always disruptive and some people always get hurt, but others take advantage. How are those wax cylinder manufacturers doing these days?

i just have a question...who thinks it is a good idea (like a REALLY GOOD IDEA) that the hit factory is closing?..and why?

In the end The Hit Factory closing means nothing,just as The Record Plant and before that RCA and before that A&R.The Owners of The Hit Factory are getting a reported 18 Million for the space!There are Plenty of studios on the East Coast with great Big rooms ,Neve Boards Etc.On the West Coast even more.For the people trying to get their training find a studio and learn,sweep floors ,do what you have to,take courses.The Professionals(Producers ,Engineers and of course the Artists will Record as usual.)

Another one bites the dust. And what is the street address for Columbia Studio A?

Many thanks
Deb

how can you say that the Hit Factory closing means nothing?...wow...

THATS WHAT I THOUGHT !!!!!

I believe he was referring to the big picture - obviously it makes a huge difference for those directly involved.

I suppose the Hit Factory will live on just a bit longer... At least in spirit. I've noticed noone has mentioned or asked who hold the record as having the last recorded album at the studios. Check out this article...

On Friday February 25th 2005, Dream Theater wrapped up recording on their latest album. Mixing will be begin on Monday February 28th and the record will be delivered to the label in Mid-March. A release is expected for sometime around May/June through Atlantic Records.

Dream Theater began writing and recording their latest album last November at the world famous Hit Factory studios in New York City. (everybody from Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Britney Spears, U2, Mariah Carey, REM, etc. etc. have all recorded at the legendary studio) As has been reported in the media several weeks ago, the famous recording studio is closing down upon the completion of Dream Theater's recording session.

This album will hold the distinction of being the VERY LAST album ever recorded at the Hit Factory in NYC. (the first was Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life") After the Dream Theater sessions ended on Friday night, the lights were turned off and doors were locked to the world famous studio - ending an era in the music industry....

super information Eddie, thanks!

Please dont forget that the hit was born way before the germano's took over it was jerry ragavoy's hit factory and the first platinum album to come out of there was "they only come out at night"by the edger winter group.jerry was a talented writer and producer.

Thanks "f" for that info. Actually I think its part right as I recall that Album was mixed by Roy Cicala and Shelly @Record Plant.But you are right about Ragavoy. The thing I cannot understand is the fascination in the artist that worked at The Hit Factory,every great Studio in NYC had ALL the Greatest Music with the best Artists working at all the great NYC Studios.

dear-S-I think I know who you are,but back to the issue the album mixed by shelly and not roy was the the follow up record "shock treatment"it was recored in studio B Rick derringer prod.at the record plant.

does anyone know when they are shutting down? like totally not there anymoree??

Saw it coming 6 years ago. In the final analysis, it's all about the money.

well, if ya didn't get an invitation to my 'THE HIT the road FACTORY' goodbye party this past weekend, don't feel bad we didn't have everyone's email address - word was spread mostly thru emails, I even forgot to mention the party to the building maint. guys(sorry Hector). Many thanks to my co-workers for helping to contact all those old friends and finding a place big enuff for everyone to fit. There was even one pretty lady that had worked there before I even started - if you read this, can I get a copy of the pic you took of me and my friends? Good times everywhere, and some people that haven't been to the studio in over 10 years.
As for your question - the doors won't close, but The Hit Factory NY will no longer be at 421 as of March 31. As we were told at the 'we're closing and you'll be out of a job' meeting - the Hit Factory sign will remain on the building. people were sooooo happy bout that. On April 1 the phones will be fwd to Criteria and the new owners will be beginning their plans.
A question for BT; how'd you see it coming 6 yrs ago - you should told Eddie and Troy before they rebuilt Criteria and then built 3 new rooms and an extra mastering suite, coulda saved em some money.

Signing off for one of the last times as -
R. Brent Spear
Chief Technical Engineer

working The Hit Factory 1993-2005

I'm verry sorry to hear the Hit Factory closed down.
John Dircke, Pink Noise Studio

0okie d0okie..well my question didnt get answered...wen are they completely shutting down?

thanks for checking in R! that'll be some sweet memorabilia to have on the site in the years to come.

Best wishes to everyone and good luck with future endeavors.

DMR, it sounds like they are done. Only the name will remain.

more than the name should remain .. thats all im gunna say .. and all of you know what i mean .. anyone that thought this was a great studio knows it shouldnt have close .. =(

the real culprit is NYC real estate prices rising, 6 years ago was when the Times Square cleanup was done and values started shooting up with tenants like Disney, it was only a matter of time before the neighborhood outgrew the studio business.

there are always winners and losers with gentrification - the models for what is viable change

With the music scene going back to the future,and Bands actually using REAL instruments,I think the Recording industry will live and prosper,and so will the THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.New Studios will be built alowing for Live grat Drum sounds ,as well as "contained"drum and guiter sounds.The Recording industry will be just fine,IMO.For all those that want to ENGINEER,get hooked up with a studio and take courses in Recording and Mixing Techniques.while miking has not changed and is basically learned from experience,protools and other Recording,Mixing additions are here to stay for the good of record making.

Please!
Somebody knows where is the Roy Cicala?

i know where the roy cicala is...

Roy Cicala is living in São Paulo! Brazil!

relly wear will thay make it at i hope thay make one in denver our arizona
ps ceep it real

R.I.P. Eddie Germano. Wish I could have gotten to know you better. Your cousin.

Please forgive my ignorance, but what was the connection between the Hit Factory at 421 W. 54th and the smaller building - the one with the green awning over the single door - further east? All regarded as the same complex?
Thanks to all of those Hit Factory people above for contributing to some of the greatest recordings of all time.

That was the 237 building AKA Hit Factory Broadway. the 4th location of the Hit Factory (I believe it was 42nd then 48th st before that) then 421. 237 and 421 were both open the early years I was there, This is the building where Puffy did many many sessions, Notorious, Paul Simon, Bruce,... All the names they're mentioning now as they're trying to sell the condos down the street at the location these people rarely or never worked at. I mean hell, they say this is where John Lenon worked. Sure he worked at Hit, but not at the new 'condo' location. He died many years before 421 was even dreamt of being designed. Hope that helps. You got lucky as I just googled some of my stuff and this one popped up so I checked in to have a nice flashback.

I am a very close relation of Eddie Germano - and worked at the studio for many years - I still grieve the loss of Eddie and his legacy - everything he did since 1975 was for the success of his studio and I am at least thankful that the name will remain on the building. I have read the comments on this web site and must tell you most of them are incorrect but what difference does it make now it won't bring Eddie back or the studio or our family

I RECORDED MANY OF TIMES IN THE HIT,IM FAMILY TO D's HUSBAND JASON,I GOT LOCKED UP IN 2OOO,CAME HOME IN 2004...THE HIT IS NO LONGER ACCESSABLE TO ME..I CANT FIND D,OR JASON...I DIDNT KNOW EDDIE DIED,, OR TROY AND D DIDNT RUN IT NO MORE..I WAS LOCKED UP OUT OF STATE,,OUT OF TOUCH,,,,IF ANY BODY KNOWS HOW TO CONTACT DANIELLE,PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!IF ANY ONE IS IN CONTACT WITH HER, anyone can help me would be appreciated~BNO~

My family new the great Ed Germano before he bought the Hit Factory. We were sad to here about his passing and our well wishes go out to him and his family. EJ the tricky DJ will forever remain in our hearts along with some wonderful memories he gave me and my family. The man who new music also new good friends and was always there when you needed him. Hearing about the closing of the Hit Factory did not impact my life as much as hearing about Eddie's passing. God Bless you Janice, Danielle and Troy.

Love,

Donna and Eddie

I can not believe people are still talking.I FEEL that whole family was held together by UNCLE EDDIE.NOW HE'S gone, and the family was breaking up while he was in the hospital.AND UNCLE eddie would be so sad to see how they treated AUNT NANCY

Define FAMILY, won't you?

Does anyone remember working with Nevada Cummings?A well know producer with hit factory.

Does anyone remember the 'good-bye squad'?

Wow is all I can say. I know I'm a little late to the point of this. But this Studio should never be forgotten. And Mr. Brent Spear I agree with you on how arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics. But actually finding correct info is like finding a normal person who lost in the special olympics.

Anyways, I regret this happening. The spirit of The Hit Factory will live on.

Its been closed for a few years now. Can anyone list any names of tenants living at 421 West 54th today?

I can list every name (Owners) of the 27 units at 421 W54th st.

to janice,

I only learned today of Eddie's passing and I'm so upset. i hope you,re OK.

Bob died in 2000, and I am remarried and living in Naples Fl.

Bob and I loved you and your family and I feel so awful.

If you get this please drop me a line.

With love and saddness.
Barbara Green Hewitt


[personal contact info deleted]

HEY CLAIRE, I COINED THE PHRASE GOODBYE SQUAD
CAN YOU GUESS WHO I AM? CIRCA 1976--1981

hhhmmm... it is sad. Sure, people will blame ProTools and all. All I can say is that ProTools sure sounds a lot better when it comes out of the Hit Factory than one's living room. Then, how good is the engineer using it?

Bottom line, it is THE ROOM that makes the difference. Well, of course, the skill and talent of the engineer. Mixing! Makes all the difference in the world. But there is no substitute for air.

The best thing about Hit Factory is that it seemed to work from an artist's point of view, not just some technicians who own a bunch of gear.

The proof is in their output. Quite a history!

DM

JD, you coined the phrase...? Is this Jerry?
let me know...Claire

wow, claire .. you guessed it, it's me almost 30
years later. our crew, and our time at the hf was
the best ever! things changed people changed but that era was the real one.. the best music came from then. history was made and we were there..

hope all is great with your life.

god bless jd

So...that's it? I want to catch up!! What have you been doing all these years? How is your family? Are you in touch with anyone that we worked with? I got together with a bunch of people during an AES show in NY, late 90's or so.
It was so sad, the whole thing with Eddie.
Claire

CLAIRE.. IF YOU CAN FIND ANOTHER WAY TO COMMUNICATE, I WILL .. THIS BLOG WON'T LET YOU LEAVE AN E MAIL ADDRESS

JD

J, if you google me, you will find my mom's obituary, my full name and town are in there and My home number is listed in the phone book.or...I use yahoo and it's my first name then a dot then my new last name...C