Black Box Recording Studios and Rehearsal Rooms

Place is alright.
If you like music
and shit.

I cam here during Labor Day weekend to help assist for a short film.
Art Johnson, my self and the rest of the crew had to set up a green screen to shoot our film in the biggest studio they have.
At first, I couldn’t believe this was the studio because it seemed closed and completely abandoned. As I walked in, I loved that it didn’t have any modern upgrades and that it has been kept vintage with its authenticity’s and originality look to it from when it was built. The aroma of the building reminds me of an old auditorium from a elementary school. It was great! All the studios seemed to be only for music because the studio we had was a lot bigger and I believe the only one in that size. I’m not sure if there is another big room as the one that we were in. It was perfect and big enough t to set up all the equipment and green screen. As I browsed around during my breaks, I noticed there were many more rooms but I wasn’t able to open the door and see how big they were or how they were set up.
Overall, as far as I was informed, the price of the studio wasn’t expensive at all for two days, there are plenty of studio rooms available, a bathroom, a small lounge with a knockoff wii and its close to a 7 – 11 and a taco shop.
I had a great experience here.

Black Box Studios is THE place to record in San Diego! Their sound is incredible, the studio is pristine, and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Mario and Mike own/​run the studio and they are honest, easy to work with, and two guys you will instantly befriend.
My band recorded our 7″ record and full length album at Black Box and could not be happier with the final product. Both were recorded, mixed, produced, and mastered by Mario. We look forward to recording new material at Black Box!
Their practice space is also great. I have been practicing here for 2 years now and would NEVER think of going anywhere else. The rooms are clean, sound-​proofed, spacious, and look cool. They’re always in high demand too, so be persistent.
–Fever Sleeves

Love Black Box! Mike is the bomb. He was very easy to work with and maintained a fun and creative environment. He listened to all my thoughts on how I wanted the album to sound and nailed it. He didn’t waste my recording time with prep or set up-​it was done before I got there.
I’m stoked on my album, the CoffeehousE RebellioN, as is everyone that has bought it/​downloaded it across the U. S, Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East.
The experience was addicting and I can’t wait to go back.
Chad C

Black Box has felt like a 2^nd home to me since 2007 when I rented out one of their hourly rehearsal rooms for a mere 2 hours. Since then, I have recorded two of my bands there and am completely satisfied with the outcomes.
I have rented rehearsal studios in 6 different locations throughout San Diego and recorded in facilities throughout Southern California… none of them compare to Black Box. Mario and Mike are both geniuses in their own right and keep a clean, hospitable house of all things music.

I have been through a lot of practice spots around San Diego. Most of them are fucking dumps, stink of urin and beer, make you feel really uneasy about leaving your equipment behind a shit door that could be easily broken into.
Mario and Mike run a really cool place here. I havent really heard any recordings from the studio, but I have been practicing here for the las 5 or so months and I really like it.
Located close to my house, and hidden enough that I dont worry about my stuff getting stolen.
They place is always clean and the bathrooms are spotless.
All the other bands seem cool and respectful of others.
My only complaints is that the room we were rented is too small for 3 bands (not the fault of the establishment, but the people who offered to share the room with us) And the lack of A/​C makes for some hot and sweaty practices. But seeing the insides of the other rooms, it seems that ours was the only small one.
Keep an eye out for the shows they have here once in a while, they are fun.

4 stars for Maystar’s stellar performance.
This is the first live show I’ve seen since N’Sync. No joke.

Black Box is great for so many different reasons. First of all, they have a really nice setup for recording and the main room is beautiful. My band just spent two days recording drum tracks with Mario and we got some great sounds. Now, I don’t know much about recording or the technology side of things, but Mario used 14 mics on my 4 piece drum set (!!!) which blew me away. Secondly, they also do shows in the main room which is not something most recording studios would do… and if your band happens to play there they will probably record the show for you. To top it all off, Mario and Mike are super nice, down to earth guys and the cost to record there is really reasonable.

Rehearsal spaces are typically vile, dirty, scary places with the most unholy restrooms ever known to woman. Vaguely sinister, vividly tattooed, long-​haired heavy metal dudes and palpably arrogant, parentally-​sponsored indie boys wander freely, glaring and grunting at everyone they encounter. Invariably shady owners and managers lock you in or out and leave you stranded while they complete a «business» transaction. Remnants of drug paraphernalia litter the corners, and there’s something sticky on the – hey, is that blood?
You get the idea. My point is that Black Box goes against that paradigm. Black Box is clean, the bathrooms are stocked regularly, needles don’t litter the ground. Mike and Mario run the show there, and I can honestly say they’ve never locked me in the studio while they drove to National City to make a deal (yes, that actually happened to me at another rehearsal space), and that they’re honest, straight-​forward guys.
Black Box leases monthly practice rooms to bands, and also has a room available for hourly rental, where they provide a P.A. and mics. The soundproofing leaves something to be desired, but once you’re plugged in and playing, you won’t be able to hear the other bands around you.
Not in a band and can’t figure out why Black Box should matter to you? Well, Black Box also boasts a recording studio, which doubles as a performance space when they put on a show. Bands that have recorded or played at Black Box include Transfer, Japanese Sunday, Goblin Cock, Vitro, Jezebel, and Hialeah. Most of the bands just listed also rent monthly rooms at the studio. I myself attended a few of those shows, as well as a photography show also held in the recording/​performance room.
I love Black Box. I hang out there and practice there and some of the other bands there have become a surrogate family of sorts. Ladies, I met my boyfriend there. So yes, check out Black Box. Come to a show, or record that folk record you’ve always dreamed of. Rock for an hour in the hourly room. Just get on it!