Recording studios in Toronto are as numerous and well endowed as a musician could hope for. Digs can range from basement set ups to rehearsal studios to huge industry endeavors (or island paradises - more on that later) and no mater what genre you're working in, someone in Toronto is waiting to record, mix, master, and/or produce your music. While it would be impossible to touch on every reputable studio across the GTA, here's a rundown on the ten best studios going.
Metal Works
The best recording studio in Toronto is also the best in Canada - between 1998 - 2013, Metalworks have won no less than fifteen "Studio of the Year" awards at Canadian Music Week. Most of Drake's Nothing Was the Same was recorded here, and Nelly Furtado, Feist, Cancer Bats, and Katy Perry have done their time at Metal Works too. It's actually located in Mississauga, but if you've got the money to hand over for their expertise then this is where you want to be. 3611 Mavis Rd, Mississauga
Candle Recording
When we ventured inside Candle Recording Studio last year we found more of a living room than a sterile, industry-type space. While the understated west end recording studio has only been open a short time, their client list has swelled to include a ton of local indie acts like Maylee Todd, Austra, Fucked Up, Owen Pallett, and Dusted. Warning: if you come to record, you might end up wanting to move in. 221 Sterling Road.
Phase One Studios
One of the oldest recording studios in Canada - if not the oldest- Phase 1 in north Scarborough has been in business since 1974, when Paul Gross and Doug Hill "enlisted renowned studio architect George Augspurger to design a large recording room that would attract major artists" - ie Bob Dylan and Keith Richards. While the space has cleaned up considerably since those days, that hasn't stopped Drake, Rihanna, Metric, and The Weeknd from stopping by. 3015 Kennedy Rd. Unit #10
The Gas Station
The Gas Station is an oasis compared to most recording studios. It's located at peaceful Gibraltar Point's art hub on Toronto Island - tired musicians are welcome to crash overnight. Owner Dale Morningstar has worked with Gord Downie, Godspeed You Black Emperor, and Julie Doiron (to name a few). You can learn more his unique studio in this Exclaim interview. Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts, Lakeshore Avenue
Laquer Channel Mastering
While not quite recording, this North York recording hub does mastering, oh most torturous of tasks, right. Chief engineer George Graves was master engineer with RCA records in the 60's so you know this is the real deal, but their star studded roster - from Maestro, Caribou, Hayden, Cadence Weapon, Stars, and AZARI & III to um, Marcy Playground, Ani DiFranco, Alice Cooper, Shania Twain, and Peter Gabriel - seems to say something on its own. 297 Lesmill Road
Cherry Beach
Boasting one of the larger recording floors downtown, swanky Cherry Beach will record, mix, master, and produce for you, plus host rehearsals and private functions. Located in the Portlands, a neighbourhood that hosts a few different recording studios, Cherry Beach stands out for its unique space, knock-out gear list, and the fact they recorded for Justin Bieber, Psy, and Margaret Atwood this year. Pst, don't tell the Beliebers. 33 Villiers St.
Number 9 Audio Group
Number 9 is located in Cabbagetown in a renovated Victorian building with a massive jazz mural on its face - maybe you've seen it while cruising down Gerrard. You may not know that since 1981 artists including K-OS, Rush, The Rolling Stones, and Celine Dion have recorded within its walls. They also offer DVD & CD duplication, graphic and web development, video editing, DVD and CD authoring, recording courses, and pro audio rentals. 222 Gerrard St East
Canterbury Music Company
Just south of Queen on Dufferin, Canterbury is a 3,500 sq. ft. space with two studios, and studio A now boasts a vintage 1974 Neve console. Pretty slick. Sarah Slean, Barenaked Ladies, the Tragically Hip, and Billy Talent have all stopped by here to pay down racks, and engineer Jeremy Darby has worked with David Bowie, Ella Fitzgerald, Prince (Prince!) and the late Lou Reed. 322 Dufferin Street
Lincoln Country Social Club
While it's got a bit of a silly name, this high ceilinged Liberty Village studio is actually located in the home of its owner - but that doesn't make it of ill repute. On the contrary, this ain't no ramshackle side project - along with the necessary list of impressive gear, Lincoln County has worked with big indie names like Luke Doucet, Timbre Timbre, OhBijou, and Bob Wisemen. 37 Mowat Ave
Polyphasic Studios
This up and coming west end studio just southeast of Keele and St Clair W, operated by Brandon Hocura, has worked with the likes of Austra and Caribou, as well as lesser known, rising local acts like Black Walls and Ell V Gore. Polyphasic mix the old and the new - the latest digital technologies plus vintage analog equipment. You can also learn Ableton Live and rent electronic gear here. Keep your eye on the artists coming through here, and on the studio itself. 1960 Davenport Rd Unit Rear B
BONUS
6 Nassau
This list wouldn't be complete without this much loved Kensington Market studio. Clientele include Austra, Fucked Up, and Duran Duran. While 6 Nassau currently only has a Facebook group (their website is down as of this posting), some photos and a gear list can be found here and this video will give you a good feel for the studio. 6 Nassau St
Photo of Candle Recording by Denise McMullin