Business Details
31 Years
experience
Professional Recording, Mixing & Mastering Services in NYC
Monster Island Records has been a cornerstone of New York City's music production scene since 1995. Our studio combines analog excellence with digital precision, offering artists unparalleled recording, mixing, and mastering capabilities. With a legacy of Grammy-winning work and platinum-selling records, we specialize in capturing authentic drum sounds and full-band performances on two-inch tape. Our hybrid analog-digital workflow, housed in a Bob Hodas-tuned control room, delivers sonic clarity that has attracted artists ranging from Avril Lavigne to indie innovators.Owner-engineer Mike Caffrey brings decades of expertise in translating artistic visions into polished recordings, supported by state-of-the-art Neve, Chandler, and Pendulum equipment. We maintain permanent analog setups to minimize technical delays, ensuring creative energy remains focused on the music. Our expanded visual production services complement audio work with professional stills and video direction. This combination of technical mastery, historical success, and client-centric approach has made us a trusted partner for artists seeking industry-standard results.
Services
Recording
Mixing
Mastering
Stills Production
Video Direction
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- Owner-operated studio with 28+ years of NYC music production experience
- Specialize in analog recording with permanent hybrid analog-digital setups
- Proven track record with Grammy-winning and platinum-selling artists
- Permanent analog equipment configurations save time and creative energy
- Hybrid workflow combines vintage warmth with digital precision
What people say
Tight sounds
Genius
Best drum sounds ever
Special energy
Services
Recording
Our analog and digital recording services capture authentic performances using two-inch tape and ProTools 10 HD systems. Permanent equipment setups minimize technical delays while maintaining sonic integrity. Artists benefit from decades of engineering expertise in translating creative visions into polished recordings.
Mixing
Hybrid analog-digital mixing combines vintage warmth with modern precision through Radar Nyquist converters. Our workflow preserves dynamic range while achieving commercial loudness standards. Engineers apply Grammy-winning techniques to enhance sonic clarity across all music genres.
Mastering
Mastering services optimize recordings for commercial release using specialized analog and digital tools. We ensure consistent playback across all formats while maintaining artistic intent. Our mastering engineers have worked on platinum-selling and Grammy-winning albums.
Stills Production
Professional stills production captures artists' visual identity through album artwork and promotional photography. Our team creates cohesive visual narratives that complement audio recordings. Services include studio and location shoots with creative direction.
Video Direction
Full-service video production creates compelling visual content for music releases. Our direction combines cinematic techniques with performance authenticity. Services include concept development, shooting, and post-production for music videos and live performances.
People
Mike Caffrey
Owner/Engineer
Mike Caffrey founded Monster Island in 1995 after graduating from Berklee College of Music. With decades of experience producing Grammy-winning records, he specializes in translating artistic visions into polished recordings while expanding into visual production.
Questions
What recording formats do you offer?
We offer analog recording on two-inch tape combined with ProTools 10 HD digital systems for maximum sonic flexibility.
Do you work with independent artists?
Yes, we work with artists at all career stages, from unsigned bands to Grammy winners, adapting to various budget requirements.
What makes your drum recording special?
Our dedicated drum room and vintage mic preamps create the exceptional drum sounds featured on multiple platinum-selling records.
Can you handle full band sessions?
Yes, our studio is designed for full band tracking with isolation booths and 24+ channels of analog equipment available simultaneously.
Do you offer visual production services?
Yes, we provide professional stills photography and music video production to complement audio recordings with cohesive visual storytelling.
How do you maintain analog quality?
Permanent equipment setups preserve optimal signal paths while our hybrid workflow combines analog warmth with digital recall capabilities.
