Rusty's Recording Studio

Rusty’s Recording Studio

Rusty’s Recording Studio | Recording Studio | Salem, MA

About Rusty’s Recording Studio

Rusty’s Recording Studio is a full-service analog and digital recording studio founded in 2020 by Steven Lord, a Salem-based musician, producer, and mixing engineer who has toured the world and worked with artists across genres. Tucked away in a 400 sq ft converted garage, Rusty’s Recording Studio was built with one goal in mind: to create a stress-free, creative environment where artists can work without watching the clock. Additionally, Steven brings a unique perspective to every session — as an indie musician himself, he understands the budget realities and creative needs of independent artists at every level.

Our Experience

Steven Lord has spent over a decade as a professional musician, touring with acts such as Kingsley Flood, Bodega Girls, and These Wild Plains, and performing at festivals including SXSW, Stagecoach, and Boston Calling. Furthermore, his original scores and songs have been placed in national campaigns for Dunkin’ Donuts, Kraft Cheese, and Panera Bread, as well as TV spots on CW’s Supernatural and Showtime’s The L Word. He has earned multiple Boston Music Awards and nominations throughout his career. Artists he has recorded, produced, mixed, or engineered include Caspian, Tanya Donelly, The Sheila Divine, Kingsley Flood, and many more.

Core Offerings

• Full Band Tracking Sessions
• Vocal & Instrument Sessions
• Mixing & Mastering
• Commercial Work & Film Scores
• Rusty’s Recording Booth (direct-to-cassette)

Full Studio Sessions

Rusty’s Recording Studio is a one-room studio where the control room and live room share the same space — a deliberate design choice that keeps energy real, raw, and human. The studio is equipped with an extensive collection of analog and digital gear including a 20-channel Tascam console, Universal Audio interfaces, SSL and Great River preamps, a Teac 1-inch reel-to-reel, and a wide range of vintage and modern outboard effects. A carefully curated mic locker, a full vintage drum kit, multiple guitar and bass rigs, and a collection of keyboards and synths round out the setup. Sessions are available for full band tracking, vocals, guitar, drums, mixing, mastering, and more.

Rusty’s Recording Booth

Located inside Moon Base One in Salem, Rusty’s Recording Booth is a one-of-a-kind direct-to-cassette recording experience. Step inside, close the doors, and record one song — or poem, or story, or whatever moves you — in one take, with one mic, in five minutes. You leave with a cassingle: a physical cassette tape capturing your performance in its rawest, most human form. No overdubs, no do-overs, no digital polish. Moreover, the booth is a deliberate creative challenge — embracing limitation as a tool for authentic expression.

Commercial Work

In addition to studio sessions, Steven offers original music composition for commercials, television, and branded content. His work has been placed with national brands and major networks, and he continues to collaborate with agencies and brands at an international level.

What Makes Rusty’s Recording Studio Special

• Affordable & Artist-Friendly — Rates kept intentionally low to support independent musicians
• Stress-Free Environment — No clock-watching; sessions built around the creative process
• Analog & Digital — The best of both worlds, with an ever-growing gear collection
• Direct-to-Cassette Booth — A truly unique one-take recording experience at Moon Base One
• Seasoned Producer — Founded by a working musician with decades of touring and production experience
• Proven Track Record — Credits include nationally recognized artists, brands, and television placements

Contact

Location: Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (617) 529-9862
Email: rustysrecordingstudio@gmail.com
Website: rustysrecordingstudio.com
Instagram: @rustysrecordingstudio | Facebook: facebook.com/rustysrecordingstudio

Founded in 2020 by a working musician with over a decade of professional experience, Rusty’s Recording Studio is Salem’s home for authentic, artist-first music recording and production.