WELCOME BACK
TO ARDENT.
A NEW CHAPTER.
THE SAME LEGENDARY SOUND ENDURES.

Ardent Studios has been the birthplace of some of the most iconic records in music history. For nearly seven decades, we’ve been at the forefront of innovation, embracing new technologies and creative techniques that continue to shape the future of music.

From humble beginnings in 1959 in founder John Fry’s parents’ garage, to our first commercial space on National Street in 1966, we finally settled into our cherished location at 2000 Madison Avenue in 1971. Throughout these years, we’ve remained a vital cornerstone of the music community, leaving a lasting impact that resonates worldwide.

Where artists enter and icons emerge.

STUDIO A

Studio A is home to a recently renovated control room and equipped with a 72-channel Neve 88RS console. Since 1971, Studio A has been One of the two original studios at Ardent’s Madison Avenue location, having hosted many legendary clients. The live room, Ardent’s largest at 25’ 6” x 39’ 5”, boasts high ceilings and three large isolation booths, providing ample space and excellent sightlines for musicians and producers. In 1989, legendary producer Tom Dowd, alongside Ardent’s founder John Fry, meticulously tuned the acoustics of the live room to Dowd’s exacting standards. From tiger maple and mahogany woodwork, to Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired lighting, Studio A is designed with elegance and inspiration in mind. For moments of relaxation the studio includes a indoor lounge and a outdoor patio, offering artists the perfect environment to recharge and return to the creative process.

STUDIO B

Studio B features a 48-channel Solid State Logic Duality Fuse console, along with 32 additional channels of analog summing to support both classic and hybrid workflows. Renovated in 2024, it stands as the second original studio at Ardent’s Madison Avenue location, first opened in 1971. Over the decades, it has hosted some of Ardent’s most iconic sessions, maintaining its reputation as a trusted space for both tracking and mixing. The studio offers precise stereo and Dolby Atmos monitoring from industry-leading brands like Bowers & Wilkins, ATC, McIntosh, and Trinnov, creating a world-class listening environment. Studio B’s live room measures 24′ x 17' and includes a mid-sized isolation booth, offering an intimate sound and vibe. Its unique acoustic character and inviting atmosphere make it a favorite among artists and engineers seeking a warm, focused space for creative work.

STUDIO C

Studio C features a 32-channel Neve BCM 10 l with 1073 preamps and custom multitrack bussing, delivering a rich analog sound ideal for both modern and vintage workflows.
Its live room—Ardent’s second largest at 27’ 6” x 32’—offers ample space for tracking and features three isolation booths with excellent sightlines for seamless collaboration between artists, engineers, and producers.
Over the years Studio C became the creative home for legends like ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In 2024, the control room was revised with modern acoustic and technical upgrades.
With precise monitoring from Bowers & Wilkins, ATC, Trinnov, and McIntosh, Studio C now provides a world-class listening experience while preserving its warmth and character for over four decades.

STUDIO D

Studio D is the newest addition to the Ardent complex.
It was designed to meet the evolving needs of modern artists and producers. This intimate space is perfect for programming, light overdubbing, editing, stem mixing, or creating a one-on-one environment where artists can work in complete privacy during moments of inspiration
Available exclusively to clients currently working on projects at Ardent, Studio D offers a dedicated and personal space for those looking to bring their vision to life in a more intimate setting.
The control room measures 11.5 x 14 feet, providing a compact yet highly functional environment for precise work and close collaboration.

NEWS

Ardent Up’s The Sonic Ante and Gets Dangerous!  

Ardent Studios is thrilled to announce a significant upgrade to its state-of-the-art facilities, featuring premium monitoring controllers and summing solutions from Dangerous Music. This investment not only enhances Studio D but also reinforces our commitment to delivering unparalleled sonic detail. With top-tier monitoring solutions and the revolutionary Dangerous 2-Bus+, we offer engineers and producers unprecedented flexibility in their workflows. Experience the clarity and headroom that only Dangerous Music can provide, and discover how our cutting-edge technology can elevate your next project. Join us at Ardent Studios and redefine your sound!

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Ardent Studios Continues Legacy of Technological Innovation with Newly Announced SSL Oracle Featuring Revolutionary ActiveAnalogue™ 

The SSL Oracle is the ultimate link between heritage and innovation. Featuring ActiveAnalogue™ technology, it provides instant recall, comprehensive DAW control, and multi-layer automation for today’s fast-paced studios. Whether you’re tracking, mixing, or overdubbing, “The Oracle” offers game-changing power, making it truly unique.

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Ardent Studios Remembers Co-Founder and Visionary Fred Smith

Ardent Studios today remembers Fred Smith, the iconic founder of FedEx and a pivotal co-founder of Ardent Studios. Smith, a childhood friend and high school classmate of Ardent founder John Fry, was instrumental in establishing the studio in 1959. His early support helped lay the foundation for what would become a world-renowned recording facility.

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Ardent Studios Completes Installation of New SSL Duality Fuse Console in Studio B

Ardent Studios proudly announces the installation of a 48-channel Solid State Logic Duality Fuse Super Analogue Console in Studio B, enhancing workflow and offering unparalleled hybrid mixing capabilities. This significant upgrade, marking our 40th anniversary of working with SSL, provides artists with the perfect environment to finalize their mixes with precision and confidence.

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Renowned Producer Magnus Fiennes Visits Ardent Studios

Acclaimed producer, composer, and arranger Magnus Finnes recently visited Ardent Studios to discuss potential collaborations on upcoming projects. Known for his work with artists like Shakira and Lenny Kravitz, his visit has us incredibly enthusiastic about future possibilities.

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What we offer

Our world-renowned studios have produced groundbreaking music across all genres spanning six decades. The newly updated control rooms provide flexibility for every kind of project.

Creating at Ardent provides you with access to our comprehensive collection of vintage and modern processing and the most current plugins. Combined with our extensive instrument and vintage synthesizer collection, your possibilities are limitless. Our studios are maintained 24/7 by an unparalleled technical team.


Providing World-Class Technology, Maintenance, and Service

DOLBY ATMOS

We have consistently embraced the latest advancements in audio technology, and object-based audio is no exception. Dolby Atmos has established itself as the premier format for immersive 3D sound experiences, widely adopted in gaming, film and television scoring, and music production. In selecting our mixing tools, we prioritized the ability to deliver a consistent and uncompromising listening experience across all formats, ensuring the highest quality sound reproduction, regardless of the medium.

BESPOKE OFFERINGS

Bespoke equipment has been a cornerstone of Ardent since our inception. From our earliest tape machines and mixing consoles to the custom-ordered consoles from Spectra Sonics, SSL, and Neve, we have always prioritized craftsmanship and individuality. This tradition of personalized excellence continues to this day. Among our current bespoke offerings are the Heritage Audio Ardent Editions of the Fairchild 660 and 670 compressors, designed to meet our exacting standards and enhance the unique sound of every project.

TECHNICAL STAFF

Maintaining a multi-room, world class facility poses a unique set of challenges, and keeping sessions running smoothly is integral to any professional facility. Maintaining a world-class, multi-room facility presents unique challenges, and ensuring smooth session operations is essential. At Ardent, we understand this fully. Our technical team, led by Dane Beamish—an expert in advanced electrical engineering design—ensures that all equipment, both ours and yours, functions flawlessly and reliably throughout your session.
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