SOUND EMPORIUM STUDIOS

What SOUND EMPORIUM STUDIOS does

Sound Emporium Studios is a multi-room recording studio located at 3100 Belmont Blvd in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally established in 1969 by producer Jack Clement as Jack Clement Recording Studios, the facility was renamed Sound Emporium in 1979 and has operated continuously for over 55 years under successive ownership including Garth Fundis (1992), George Shinn (2011), and Lipscomb University (2017 gift). The studio serves professional recording artists, producers, and labels across country, Americana, rock, and contemporary genres, offering tracking, overdubbing, mixing, and analog tape recording services. Its roster includes Taylor Swift, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Sierra Ferrell, Alabama Shakes, Jason Isbell, Jelly Roll, and many more, with multiple Grammy- and ACM Award-winning projects recorded at the facility.

The facility comprises four distinct acoustic environments: Studio A (32'x45' live room with 20' ceilings, three isolation booths, B-3 organ, and a 48-channel API Legacy AXS console with Final Touch automation), Studio B (20'x22' live space with 17' cathedral ceilings, four isolation booths, and a 48-channel API Legacy Plus console with Uptown 2 automation), Studio G (modern mix/overdub room with natural light, vocal booth, Apple Mac Studio 2024 with M2 Max, and Neve signal chain), and Studio Z (dedicated 7x4 isolation overdub room for vocals, voiceovers, and audio books). Technical infrastructure includes Studer A80 and A827 multi-track analog tape machines, Pro Tools HDX/Ultimate DAW systems, vintage Neve and Universal Audio outboard gear, and extensive vintage microphone collections. The six-person engineering team is drawn from Belmont University, Shenandoah Conservatory, University of New Haven, and trade programs, with senior staff offering decades of Music Row session experience.

Sound Emporium operates a usage-based revenue model, charging hourly or daily rates for studio time that are quoted directly rather than publicly disclosed. Distribution is entirely through direct enterprise field sales — artists and producers book sessions by contacting the studio via phone or email, with bookings and relationships managed by President/COO/GM Juanita Copeland, a partner in ownership since 2016. The studio is currently operated as an asset of Lipscomb University under the educational institution's commitment to preserve the historic legacy while allowing business-as-usual operations.

Name

SOUND EMPORIUM STUDIOS

Legal name

Sound Emporium Studios

Website

https://soundemporiumstudios.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sound Emporium Studios is a historic Nashville recording studio operating four acoustically distinct rooms with analog tape capability and vintage API/Neve equipment, serving professional artists, producers, and labels across country, Americana, and rock.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recording Studio Services

NAICS

Sound Recording Studios (51224), Sound Recording Studios (512240), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Production Management & Studio Support Services (Studio Managers, Techs) (MPAIAHAO)

Keywords

• Recording studio services
• Analog tape recording
• Music production
• Mixing and mastering
• Voiceover recording

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

Revenue model

1. Recording Studio Rental: Hourly/daily rental of studio spaces (Studios A, B, G, Z) for recording sessions. Pricing varies by studio and session type. Includes access to all studio equipment, consoles, and live rooms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sound Emporium Studios rents four distinct recording studios (A, B, G, Z) on an hourly/daily basis to recording artists, producers, and labels for music tracking, overdubbing, mixing, and analog tape recording sessions. The facility combines vintage analog equipment (Studer tape machines, API consoles, vintage microphones, Neve outboard gear) with modern Pro Tools HDX systems and provides experienced engineering staff alongside unique acoustic environments. Additional services include voiceover and audiobook recording in dedicated vocal booths.

Product overview

Sound Emporium Studios operates as a multi-studio recording complex offering four distinct recording environments: Studio A (large-format with 32'x45' live room and API Legacy AXS console), Studio B (renowned for live drum sound with cathedral ceilings and API Legacy Plus), Studio G (overdub/mix room with Neve signal chain), and Studio Z (dedicated overdub room). The studio provides both analog tape recording (Studios A & B) and modern digital production using Avid Pro Tools systems. The facilities are equipped with extensive microphone collections, outboard gear, and instrument inventory including grand pianos, Hammond organs, and vintage keyboards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Studio A Recordings Large-format recording studio with a 32' x 45' live room, 20' ceilings, three isolation booths, B-3 organ, grand piano, and a 48-channel API Legacy AXS console with Final Touch automation. Features a live reverb chamber with 20' ceilings and EMT reverb plate.
• Studio B Recordings Recording studio with a 20' x 22' live space, 17' cathedral ceilings, four isolation booths including one with Yamaha C7 grand piano, Hammond C-3 organ with Leslie cabinet, and Wurlitzer keyboard. Features a 48-channel API Legacy Plus console with Uptown 2 automation.
• Studio G Mix/Overdub Mix/overdub room named in honor of Garth Fundis, featuring natural light, a reinforced vocal booth, Apple Mac Studio 2024 with M2 Max chip, and a Neve-equipped signal chain. Ideal for vocals, voiceovers, audio books, and mixing.
• Studio Z Overdub/VO Overdub room with a 7x4 isolation booth for vocals and overdubs, 4 input channels for personal outboard gear, a writing/listening/edit room, and in-the-box mixing capabilities. Tailored for voiceovers for TV/Film/Radio.
• Analog Tape Recording Services Professional analog tape recording services available in Studios A and B using Studer A-80 and A827 multi-track machines for projects requiring authentic analog sound.
• Recording Session Services Professional recording session services including tracking, overdubbing, mixing, and production assistance across all four studios with experienced engineers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple Grammy Award wins by studio artists including Sierra Ferrell (4 Grammys 2025), Alabama Shakes (4 Grammys), Jason Isbell (2 Grammys)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Animal Rescue CorpsminorOthersFriends of Sound Emporium partner organization featured on contact page
• Pet Community CenterminorOthersFriends of Sound Emporium partner organization featured on contact page
• Nashville Recording SupplyminorOthersFriends of Sound Emporium partner - local music equipment supplier
• Delgado GuitarsminorOthersFriends of Sound Emporium partner - guitar luthier
• Leadership MusicminorOthersFriends of Sound Emporium partner - Nashville music industry organization
• Lipscomb UniversitycoreOthersIn 2017, George Shinn gifted the studio to Lipscomb University, which committed to preserving the history of the studio and allowing it to remain business as usual. Juanita continues to serve as President/COO/GM.
• 226 CreativeminorOthersWebsite design partner credited as designer of the studio's website

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Sunset Sound: Historic Hollywood recording studio founded in 1958, known for vintage analog consoles and tube equipment. Broad incumbent offering comparable analog-focused recording services and serving similar tier of legacy and contemporary major-label artists.
• Abbey Road Studios: Iconic London recording studio owned by Universal Music Group. Broad incumbent in the global premium recording market, comparable as a heritage studio with strong analog capabilities and a similar legendary-artist customer roster.
• Capitol Studios: Historic Hollywood recording studio complex operated as part of Universal Music Group. Broad incumbent offering comparable multi-room premium recording services with a similar heritage/legacy positioning, serving major-label artists across genres.
• Electric Lady Studios: Iconic New York City recording studio founded by Jimi Hendrix in 1970. Broad incumbent with comparable heritage positioning, multi-room configuration, and appeal to premium recording artists seeking a storied facility.

Direct peers

• Blackbird Studio: Nashville-based multi-room recording studio founded by Martina McBride and engineer John McBride. Direct competitor in the same Nashville high-end commercial recording market, serving country, Americana, and pop artists with similar premium positioning.
• RCA Studio B: Historic Nashville recording studio (1957) operated as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Direct peer as one of Nashville's iconic legacy studios with comparable heritage, famous acoustics, and similar customer base of country and Americana artists.
• Ocean Way Nashville: Premier Nashville recording facility housed in a converted church, offering multiple large-format studios. Direct competitor targeting the same premium country, gospel, and pop recording market with comparable vintage equipment and acoustic environments.
• Welcome to 1979: Nashville-based analog-focused recording studio operated by musicians Drew and Natalie Fulk. Direct peer in the Nashville market with a similar analog-tape-first ethos, vintage equipment focus, and artist-oriented service model.
• The Church Studio: Nashville-based studio housed in a converted church, owned by producer Daniel Lanois. Direct peer serving Americana, country, and rock recording artists with a comparable analog/vintage equipment focus and multi-room configuration.

Regional players

• Stoney Creek Recording Studio: Independent Nashville recording studio offering analog and digital recording services. Regional peer operating in the same Nashville market with similar services but generally serving indie and mid-tier artists rather than major-label acts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sound_emporium?lang=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/soundemporium
• Instagraminstagram.com/soundemporiumstudios/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sound-emporium-studios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 SOUND EMPORIUM STUDIOS