Fort Wayne, Indiana: The Recording Scene's Best-Kept Secret
Fort Wayne, Indiana, might not come to mind as a vital music industry hub, but it should. While cities like Nashville, LA, New York, and London soak up the spotlight, this small Midwestern city has quietly built a hidden network of professional-quality recording studios. Thanks in large part to Sweetwater.com, these Fort Wayne studios have access to some of the finest recording gear in existence and are out pacing some of the more larger and more well-known studios across the United States.
Located in Fort Wayne — and boasting a top-tier studio of its own — Sweetwater is one of the world’s largest online music equipment retailers. It’s also an employment powerhouse — currently with well over 2,000 highly trained, on-site employees.
Many of them, especially in their sales department, come to the city with deep résumés that include Grammy nominations, arena-level touring, and A-list studio credentials. Combine that with the city’s already healthy music scene, affordable cost of living, and access to Sweetwater’s massive warehouse, and you get a community of independent studios that rival any other market.
We recently connected with six of Fort Wayne’s studio owners who are adding their own spin to the city’s thriving scene. From transplanted Sweetwater employees to Fort Wayne natives, they detail their distinct studios, personal journeys, and the magic that makes this city a recording haven.
Brick Shed Studios ~ Carl Bleke
Availability: Open to outside and commercial clients
Services: Full music and video production, recording, editing, mixing
Website/socials: BrickShedStudios.com
As both a Fort Wayne native and former Sweetwater employee, Bleke has deep ties to the city’s music and creative scenes. His Brick Shed Studios serves as “a creative music space” specifically designed to foster those communities.
Your audio & recording background
I bought my first set of multitrack recording sound cards in 2002 and have been obsessed every day since. Even when I studied music at Berklee, toured, and was a drummer and bandleader for several years on cruise ships, [or when I was] living in Boston, New York, or Phoenix, I had some iteration of my studio.
The story behind your studio
I built my first recording space in a woodshed with my father in our backyard when I was in high school, affectionately called “The Shed.” Brick Shed Studios is an homage to that first studio. It's an accessible studio where anyone can make music. Whether you’re a professional, weekend warrior, or beginner — we have so much to learn from each other.
A unique aspect of your studio
I do a lot of different projects and enjoy them all, but I especially love working with singer/songwriters to build up their productions. Seeing their reaction the first time they hear their song [fully realized] is the best feeling ever.
Notable gear & equipment
I'm most proud of my live room. I've spent a lot of time building up the space to be a room with character. It sounds like the plug-in you would ultimately add to give your track a natural ambiance. It also deadens up pretty easily if that is what is needed for your project.
Fort Wayne's recording scene
It’s pretty amazing. Sweetwater has brought amazing talent from all over the country. That's undoubtedly helped create one of the most talented and concentrated home-recording scenes in the country. I'm fortunate to have been born and raised in such a city.
Cellar Door Recording ~ Mike Arango
Availability: Private but open to outside projects as time permits
Services: Music recording, editing, and mixing services
Website/socials: Facebook.com/CellarDoorRecording
Mike Arango, a Sweetwater sales engineer, brings a wealth of professional recording expertise from his roots in the Los Angeles music scene. And at his Cellar Door Recording studio, he channels that experience through a genuine API console.
Your audio & recording background
I started early on by bouncing tracks between two cassette decks through a DJ mixer, then graduated to a 4-track Portastudio, then a DA-38 and Mackie mixer. I went to school for audio production and moved to Los Angeles, where I got a lot of work as a Pro Tools operator and editor, then as an engineer.
The story behind your studio
I built this space just to see if I could challenge myself to build out a three-room facility from scratch. It took a while, as I studied proper studio construction technique each step of the way, but my fingerprints are on every inch of that build. I ended up with a good-sounding space with excellent isolation, and the results translate well!
A unique aspect of your studio
I was after a warm aesthetic where musicians could be comfortable and relaxed while creating their art. [So the] space [is] anything but sterile. I've become known for my attention to detail and for getting good results, and this is a comfortable space to make that happen. The word has gotten out, and I'm staying quite busy!
Notable gear & equipment
The studio is built around an API 1608-II console with Final Touch Automation. It’s loaded with API 550A and 500B EQs, as well as Purple Audio TAV graphic EQs. I’ve also accumulated a collection of great outboard gear over the years, but I’m especially excited about my newly acquired Undertone Audio UnFairchild compressor and Neumann U 67.
Fort Wayne's recording scene
Fort Wayne's scene is vibrant and varied. There are so many talented folks, both native to the city and those who have relocated here, like me. There's never a shortage of people to record or collaborate with.
the "VOYD" ~ Colin Boyd
Availability: Open to outside and commercial clients
Services: Drum and percussion tracking
Website/socials: Instagram.com/boydiggity/
Colin Boyd is one of Fort Wayne’s top drummers and percussionists. When he’s not performing on stage, you’ll likely find him immersed in his impressive vintage drum collection at his drum studio, affectionately dubbed the “VOYD”.
Your audio & recording background
I've been a session drummer for the duration of my adult life but have been engineering in my home studio since 2020. Somewhat self-taught by necessity, but also with the influence of very kind and smart friends who have been very generous with their time and talents.
The story behind your studio
The purpose of my studio is solely to foster a comfortable and creative environment. I am always inspired when I'm in this room, which is a great state to be in when asked to contribute to someone else's project. As far as sound is concerned - I primarily focus on just really great drums. Vintage vibes when it's called for, and modern when the feeling is right.
A unique aspect of your studio
The entire studio is also an extension of my lifelong vintage-instrument-collecting obsession. It’s adorned floor-to-ceiling with drums and percussion all the way around. The drums go back 150 years, with a lot of emphasis on the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Additionally, I collect percussion from various cultures around the world.
Notable gear & equipment
Some of my most proud recorded moments have been on a 1960s Ludwig maple kit with a New Yorker 22” x 12” kick drum, as well as a kit of orphans I put together that is a mixture of 1950s and 1960s Ludwig mahogany and maple drums.
Fort Wayne's recording scene
Fort Wayne's recording scene is insanely good. I've been extremely fortunate to spend time in so many hidden gems operated by highly skilled and very talented individuals. I'm very grateful for the community here, especially as a native. I'm always interested in chopping it up with the engineers in this city, as they're all cultivating something wonderful.
Flabby Road ~ Brendan Murphy
Availability: Open with limited availability
Services: Live sound mixing and recording, music production, in-studio tracking, remixing, songwriting
Website/socials: “Anyone can find me at Sweetwater.”
Brendan Murphy’s Flabby Road is a synth-lover’s dream. Built around an impressive collection of electronic instruments, it's an ‘80s-vibe laboratory for Murphy’s songwriting, remixes, creating sample libraries, and much more.
Your audio & recording background
My parents bought me a synthesizer and a 4-track recorder in high school, and I worked at the local music store and at a live sound company where I learned mixing and signal flow. I taught myself synthesis and sampling, which led to gigs at studios around Texas. By the time I was eighteen, I had worked on a dozen albums.
The story behind your studio
"Retro 80's." I have some modern gear, but the vast majority of toys are from the '80s, which heavily influence the vibe and sound. The main purpose is to have fun, though. If it plugs in and makes noise, I'm probably interested. So, like most studios, the setup has evolved over the years.
A unique aspect of your studio
The most unique part of my studio is my collection of electronic musical instruments. I have well over 100 synthesizers, dozens of drum machines, samplers, sequencers, and effects. I even have some fun toys like the Spelling Starter, Speak and Spell, Synsonics drums, and multiple Casio SKs.
Notable gear & equipment
My two favorites are my Oberheim OB-8 and Rhodes Mark II 54, both restored by the mad genius and repairman to the stars, Christopher Geissler. My favorite modern [pieces] are my Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave and Sequential Take 5. On the recording side, the single coolest thing is a Heritage Audio Herchild 670 compressor.
Fort Wayne's recording scene
We're fortunate as it's much better than most places. Of course, there's a huge talent pool in town. There's live music almost every night of the week.
