Ardent Recording Studios

Known in some circles as the American Abbey Road, Ardent Recording Studios played host to REM, The Repalcements, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Led Zeppelin, Isaac Hayes, Cheap Trick, James Taylor, and — of course — Big Star (among many other Gold and Platinum-​selling artists) over the years.
I had the pleasure of working with Larry and Kevin Nix of L Nix Mastering when working on my last album. The staff was friendly and gave us — as Kevin called it — «the nickel tour» for free. Well let me tell you, this «nickel tour,» is as grand as any museum you’ll ever find. Ardent houses the first Mellotron ever to enter the United States. They have one of George Harrison’s old organs (they traded their functioning one with Abbey Road back in the 60s because the latter’s was in need of repair… Ardent ended up keeping the Abbey organ). Studio A where Big Star made their records; Studio B where The Replacements made theirs! There’s just so much history; so many ghosts within these walls. The same mastering lathe that Chris Bell famously shattered Big Star’s first acetate is still there and — what’s more — it still functions and is the ONLY one the studio uses.
Rates for the studio ($ 500 for the day plus engineer’s fee) are as reasonable as any and Larry’s mastering rates ($ 60/​song) are fantastic! He uses all the old analogue mastering equipment. A great experience for any musician or music historian.

All I can really say about Ardent is that I have been depressed since I have left! This is a musical mecca for me! Some of my all time favorite records were made here. Big Star, REM, the Replacements, Booker T. and the Mg’s, Cat Power, White Stripes, Dylan, Zep, Mr. Hayes, Primal Scream, and now a record I’m producing by Christopher the Conquered.
I had the opportunity to tour the facilities twice before deciding this is where I wanted to record the record. Nothing like getting a tour from John Fry the guy who started Ardent way back in the 60’s and also was a big part of recording those Big Star records mentioned above.
All of the studios are capable of hosting and mixing any kind of musical act you throw at them! The best thing about Ardent besides the amazing staff is how it’s built around a little court yard that is open air, so you can walk outside and grab a breath of fresh air and not feel like your in box for 10 hours strait! It’s a genius design and the best I have ever seen in a recording studio.
We were recording in Room A, with master engineer Adam Hill, who is one of the hardest working guys I have ever met. He get’s amazing sounds, is always up for a great joke, and knows the history of the studio and rock and roll and is quite the good story teller!
I got to talk a little bit about how great the staff is, always making sure you have what you need weither is back ground singers, beer in the fridge, or you need someone to go grab you a record from the store down the street! They are the best! Also such and honor to get to chat with Jody Stephens the drummer of Big Star who also works there! And I also got to hear him practice in Studio B one day! AMAZING!
ANYWAY I COULD GO ON FOREVER ABOUT THIS PLACE, It’s the best! and I’m excited to get back there and mix our record we started! Keep up the great work ARDENT YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND!

Ardent Studios is fantastic. I could be mistaken, but I believe they’re the only recording studio in Memphis that’s still operational that offers tours. Regardless, it’s definitely not to be missed. For starters, it’s free. The tour itself is free, they have their own parking, which is also free. You really can’t beat that.
Throughout the studios are lots of memorabilia related to the studios. Lots of gold and platinum records of artists who recorded there, photos and articles pertaining to the studios, even some awards (as in Grammys, etc.). And of course, there’s lots of framed records all over the walls of what seems like basically every album ever recorded at Ardent over the years. I don’t mean it in a bad way, as no matter who you like, you’ll be happy.
You also of course get a tour of the studios from an actual guide. You get to see their studios, actual studios people still use if they come and book some time in the studio. To me it’s so awesome to think of how many bands have been in each room over the years, especially the older studios. You can see the infamous studio that Big Star used for much of their recording and also see photos from their old location before they moved to their location on Madison.
What I really enjoyed too was aside from the walk down memory lane and seeing these historical rooms, I loved being able to see the mix of new and old equipment at the mixing desks. Most use ProTools now, but they do still have analogue so you can see what recording studios used to look like. ;)
And everyone is very friendly! You don’t feel rushed at all (the tour should talk an hour, tops) and the guides are happy to answer any questions you have. They know everything. It’s so worth taking the tour!

Loved Graceland yesterday. We went to Ardent Studios in Memphis (home studio of Big Star, where the Replacements recorded «Pleased To Meet Me», Afghan Whigs recorded «Gentleman», Isaac Hayes, Allman’s, Archers of Loaf, Steve Earle. The list goes on forever. Jody Stevens (founding member/​drummer of Big Star), runs A&R and took us through the whole place telling us stories too. Sweet guy and legend to boot! Nashville tonight.

I cannot believe there’s not a single review here yet.
I haven’t been on the premises, or even visited Memphis
yet (though I do plan to), but if you’re a fan of Big Star and
Chris Bell you need to put 5 stars up here, right now. RIGHT
now. «Once I Walked A Lonely Road»