Ocean Way Nashville Studio

What Ocean Way Nashville Studio does

Ocean Way Nashville Studio is a high-end commercial recording studio located in a 100-year-old Gothic revival church on Nashville's Music Row. Founded in 1996 by Gary Belz and Allen Sides and purchased by Belmont University in 2001, the studio operates five distinct rooms — Studio A (orchestral and band tracking with the world's largest custom 80-input Neve 8078 console), Studio B (SSL Origin tracking and mixing), Studio C / The Cave (Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering operated by Kevin Shirley since 2024), Studio D (overdub, ADR, Foley, and surround mixing on Pro Tools Ultimate), and The Lighthouse (podcast and edit suite with a 1970s API console). The facility can record ensembles up to 82 musicians, supported by vintage Neumann M50s and Decca tree microphones, and is structurally integrated with Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business as a teaching lab.

The studio generates revenue primarily through quote-based studio rental for tracking, mixing, mastering, and orchestral scoring across music recording, film/TV scoring, and video game audio. Client logos span major labels (Warner, Sony, Universal, Big Machine, Big Loud), streaming platforms (Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime, Paramount Plus, Apple Music, Spotify), video game publishers (Sony PlayStation, EA), and named artists (Bon Jovi, Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay, JellyRoll, Hardy, Cody Fry). The go-to-market is relationship-driven, with bookings handled by Business Manager Jamie Warden and Operations Manager Austin Atwood alongside the studio's 30-year reputation, NAMM TEC nominations, and Recording Academy affiliations. A secondary Shopify e-commerce channel sells branded merchandise, and the venue functions as a Belmont University classroom, providing a recurring educational use case.

Name

Ocean Way Nashville Studio

Legal name

Ocean Way Nashville Studios

Website

https://oceanwaystudios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ocean Way Nashville is a high-end commercial recording studio on Nashville's Music Row, owned by Belmont University. It operates five studios — including the world's largest Neve 8078 console for orchestral tracking and The Cave for Atmos mixing — serving music artists, film/TV/video game composers, and labels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Recording Studio Rental: Commercial recording studio services including tracking, overdubbing, mixing, mastering, and orchestral scoring. Studios are available for rental with varying equipment configurations.
2. Educational Partnership Revenue: Operates in conjunction with Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, functioning as both a commercial facility and classroom.
3. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, and hats through Shopify storefront.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ocean Way Nashville operates five specialized commercial recording studios (Studio A, B, C—The Cave, D, and The Lighthouse) providing tracking, overdubbing, mixing, mastering, orchestral scoring, ADR, Foley, sound design, and Atmos mixing services to recording artists, music labels, and film/TV/video game composers. The facility is housed in a 100-year-old Gothic revival church on Music Row and features the world's largest custom Neve 8078 console along with vintage and modern analog/digital equipment. Additional revenue is generated through branded merchandise sales and a podcast production.

Product overview

Ocean Way Nashville Studios operates five distinct recording studios as a unified facility: Studio A (large orchestral and band tracking with the world's largest Neve 8078 console), Studio B (tracking, overdub, and mixing with SSL Origin), Studio C - The Cave (Atmos mixing and mastering with SSL Duality, operated by Kevin Shirley), Studio D (overdub, ADR, Foley, and surround mixing with Pro Tools Ultimate), and The Lighthouse (podcast suite with vintage 1970s API console). The facility offers orchestral scoring services for film, TV, and video games, recording up to 82 musicians. Additional offerings include branded merchandise (hoodies, t-shirts, hats) and a podcast called 'It's Gonna Be Great.' Owned by Belmont University since 2001, the studios are housed in a 100-year-old Gothic revival church on Music Row.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Cave at Ocean Way: Renowned music producer Kevin Shirley's studio, relocated from Sydney, Australia to Nashville, now integrated into Ocean Way Nashville.

Products and services

• Studio A Primary orchestral and band tracking studio featuring a 38' x 50' main tracking room with 30-foot ceilings, four large isolation booths, stained glass windows, and the world's largest custom 80-input + 64-monitor Discreet Neve 8078 console. Designed for full band tracking, orchestral recording, choral sessions, and large ensemble work for music and visual media clients.
• Studio B Recording, overdub, and mixing studio featuring an SSL Origin console with 48 channels of AVID HDIO converters, a tracking room, live booths, lounge with full kitchen, billiards table, and outdoor patio overlooking Music Row. Available for separate rental by music artists, bands, and producers.
• Studio C - The Cave Atmos mixing and mastering studio featuring a 72-channel SSL Duality console, LA2A and 1176 compressors, and Summit TLA-100 processors. Operated by producer Kevin Shirley, who relocated The Cave from Sydney, Australia to Nashville's Music Row, providing immersive audio and mastering services to artists and visual media producers.
• Studio D Versatile post-production studio for overdub, mix, ADR, Foley, sound design, and surround mixing. Equipped with Avid S3 control surface, Pro Tools Ultimate, EMT 140 Plate Reverb, and multiple monitor options including Ocean Way Audio HR4S Reference Monitors. Serves film, TV, and game post-production clients.
• The Lighthouse Podcast suite and edit space featuring a 1970s API 32-channel, 16-buss split-monitor recording console previously used for The Band's 'Last Waltz' and Peter Frampton's 'Frampton Comes Alive.' Includes a control room, vintage lab, edit space, and lounge for podcast production and editing work.
• Orchestral Scoring Services Film, TV, and video game scoring and orchestral recording services utilizing Studio A's capacity for groups up to 82 musicians with 30-foot ceilings, a Neve 8078 console, Neumann M50s, and Decca tree microphone configurations. Serves composers, music supervisors, and production companies including Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime, Paramount Plus, DreamWorks Animation, Sony PlayStation, and EA.
• Branded Merchandise E-commerce merchandise including Ocean Way Black Fleece Pullover Hoodie ($65.99), Ocean Way Black Zip Front Hoodie ($59.99), Ocean Way Large Logo Black T-shirt ($33.99), and Ocean Way Black Hat ($29.99), sold direct-to-consumer via the studio's Shopify storefront.

Quantifiable outcome

• Groups as large as 82 have recorded in the space
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kevin Shirley / The CavecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Renowned music producer Kevin Shirley relocated his studio 'The Cave' from Sydney, Australia to Ocean Way Nashville. The Cave at Ocean Way is integrated into the historic facility, specializing in Atmos mixing and mastering. Kevin Shirley is affectionately known as 'The Caveman' and brings his established client base and mixing expertise to the facility.
• Belmont UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2001Belmont University purchased Ocean Way Nashville from the founders in 2001. The studio functions as both a commercial recording facility and classroom in conjunction with the school's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. The university provides operational support while the studio serves as an educational training ground for audio engineering students.
• Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership where Ocean Way Nashville operates as the classroom facility for students in the Audio Engineering Technology program. Students gain hands-on experience working at the studio, with some progressing from student workers to engineering positions.
• Studio Instrument RentalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExternal rental service for musical instruments, listed as a resource for clients needing additional equipment during recording sessions.
• Backline Music RentalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNashville-based backline rental service referenced in studio resources for client equipment needs.
• Rack n Roll AudiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAudio equipment rental service listed in studio resources for client needs.
• Nashville Pro HammondminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized Hammond organ rental and service provider referenced in studio resources.
• Forks Drum ClosetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDrum rental service listed in studio resources for client percussion equipment needs.
• The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers WingminorOthersProfessional organization affiliation providing industry recognition and networking for producers and engineers at the studio.
• Audio Engineering Society NashvilleminorOthersLocal section of AES providing professional development and industry connection for studio staff and affiliates.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Village Recorder: West Los Angeles studio offering large-format tracking, mixing, and Atmos in historic facilities with vintage analog consoles. Direct competitor for major-label rock/pop recording and film/TV work.
• Sunset Sound: Legendary Los Angeles recording complex with vintage consoles and large tracking rooms used by major rock and pop acts. Direct competitor for high-end recording sessions; Ocean Way Operations Manager Austin Atwood freelanced there, underscoring direct overlap.
• AIR Studios: London orchestral recording facility founded by Sir George Martin, specializing in film and TV scoring with a large live room. Direct competitor for premium orchestral scoring projects for Netflix, Disney, and similar clients.
• Electric Lady Studios: Historic Greenwich Village studio offering tracking, mixing, and Atmos with a strong artist-development heritage. Direct competitor for premium music recording and mixing work, particularly rock and indie.
• Capitol Studios: Iconic Hollywood recording facility inside the Capitol Records tower offering tracking, mixing, and mastering with classic equipment. Direct competitor for premium music and film/TV scoring work, particularly for major-label clients.
• Blackbird Studio: Nashville-based multi-room recording studio offering tracking, mixing, and Atmos services to major country and pop artists. Direct competitor on Music Row with overlapping artist and label clientele and similar premium positioning.
• Sound Emporium Studios: Long-standing Nashville recording studio providing tracking, mixing, and mastering with vintage analog equipment. Direct competitor for the same country and rock artist pool, operating on the same premium tier.
• Abbey Road Studios: World-famous London recording complex famous for orchestral film/TV and album recording with vintage EMI/Neve equipment. Direct global competitor for marquee orchestral scoring and band tracking projects.
• Henson Recording Studios: Former A&M Studios complex in Hollywood offering large tracking rooms and vintage consoles for music and film scoring. Direct competitor for premium West Coast recording and scoring sessions.
• United Recording / Ocean Way Los Angeles: Allen Sides' original Ocean Way facility in Los Angeles, now operating as United Recording, with comparable vintage Neve consoles and large tracking rooms. Closely comparable under common founder lineage and brand heritage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/owaynash
• Facebookfacebook.com/OceanWayNashvilleStudios
• Instagraminstagram.com/oceanwaynashville
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ocean-way-nashville-studio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ocean Way Nashville Studio