STP Drummer Goes to PAD to Upgrade Bomb Shelter

Eric Kretz, drummer for Stone Temple Pilots, originally was hesitant about undergoing the extensive construction on his private facility, Bomb Shelter Studios. Dave Malekpour, president of Professional Audio Design, visited the facility and advised him how to create a professional studio for tracking and mixing.

Kretz originally gutted the 100 year-old brick building to create a private studio two years ago. “I've really enjoyed recording and producing small gigs in my own studio and was ready to take it to the next level,” says Kretz.“PAD upgraded the overall layout of the room by adding private spaces for producers, a business office and created a fun place for musicians to hang out and enjoy themselves while they are here recording for a month to six weeks at a time. It has a very home-y vibe. PAD did an incredible job with everything.”

The newly refurbished Bomb Shelter Studios allows Kretz the space to record larger bands. The 16-foot ceilings and brick walls of the tracking room are large enough to fit a 44-piece orchestra and boast an amazing drum room with 60 feet of mic distance. The studio also features three separate iso booths. The control room is complete with the full blown Pro Tools HD|2 and SSL 4048 G+ as well as some classic outboard gear from Neve, Pultec, dbx and modern staples such as Empirical Labs and Tube Tech, just to name a few. PAD also added a number of amenities to the facility such as a full kitchen, full bathroom, parking, a basketball half-court, satellite TV/DVD/VCR, a large loading dock and a pool table.

“One of the main challenges was finding the best way to use the environment and to adjust the project to meet Eric's goals,” says Malekpour. “PAD strives to help studio owners see market trends and musicians expectations of studios. Eric's goal was to utilize the 6,000-square-foot area efficiently, keeping the space open without clutter. Personal touches are what make a studio. He's an aesthetically tasteful guy and we were able to assist him in achieving the look he wanted.”

Kretz recently tested out his creative space playing host to Fu Man Chu and mixing the new album for 2 Cent Penny, which he produced and played drums. Kretz continues, “For me, the studio was about being able to work and complete records in a first-class facility.”