Old School Studios - Jerome, Arizona

Trevor Silverstein

Nestled in Jerome, Arizona is a recording studio that really captures the magic of the area here. Engineer John Margulies is an excellent musician and producer in his own right and makes the creative process a breeze. There was no doubt this was where our band would record our first album!

William Schwab

Jon has transformed the studio into Jerome High School into a place where you an feel at home, as if your still sitting on your coach composing. Difference being someone is there capturing it and making it grander than life. Top notch equipment and attention. This is great place to bring your songs and art to life.

Alex Kirkpatrick

I've had such a wonderful experience both times I've worked with Jon at Old School Studios on my creative projects. Jon is welcoming, kind, and attentive to details, I felt so comfortable sharing my vision for my music with him. The space has a beautiful energy that has an element of nostalgia. I'm looking forward to recording my entire album at his studio throughout the year!

Brian White

Jon Margulies is a pro! His credibility in music making and engineering is proven throughout his many years of experience. Jon is easy to work with and completes projects - which became our personal nemesis with other recording studios - they just could not follow through and complete a project! The Old School Studio gives you all the "feeling" you need to truly express your self and create magical music (and memories). Thank you from Viola & the Brakemen for your hospitality and see you soon!

Tiffany G.

This was formerly a five star review that I have amended to accurately reflect my experience over time. I had three albums mixed by this engineer until I cut my last album short to remove him from my project. I myself have operated in a parallel field as a music video filmmaker and video editor for other artists, and I know explicitly what it means to hold space for musicians, respectfully witnessing them so as to tap into the heart of their songs, honor their expression and fully translate their music to life in visual form. While I tried to maintain a sense of optimism and patience with this engineer, as he seemed promising in the beginning, over the course of three albums, his behavior proved to be consistently snide, condescending, dismissive and disrespectful towards me as a female artist. He seemed to have a problem with handling things that musically or experientially fell outside of his narrow field of vision, life experience, understanding or control; lashing out at me in one in-studio instance, making snide, disrespectful and denigrating remarks towards me as a person and an artist impacted by complex trauma in other instances. In email, he actually referred to one of my songs as "not a song" because my vision for it was different than his. This was the only instance where he acknowledged his demeaning behavior. I felt he really had a problem tapping into my music and bringing it to life the way it needed to be actualized due to his personal limitations and lack of respect for myself and my experiences as a human being and an artist. There were too many times this engineer dismissed me or did not listen or take my notes adequately into account, or at all, forcing me to repeat myself unnecessarily multiple times. There were times I was completely ignored. I record and produce all my songs, complete with layering and effects. I have a strong vision for my music that I have no issue kindly communicating in addition to the pre-production project file. When I would try to point out when something was amiss, instead of approaching with curiosity and humility, he would at times dismiss me or react in email with a know-it-all kind of resistance and condescension, effectively putting me in a constant position of having to qualify, prove or justify errors I caught, or certain corrections that needed to be made to my own songs. There were times when he would then turn around and try to explain to me what I already knew had happened - what I was trying to relay to him in the first place. This was exhausting and draining. It felt like an arduous, controlling, demeaning, unnecessary power struggle too much of the time, just to try and communicate with him to get my songs mixed. No artist should ever be treated this way. This is blatant sexism, mansplaining and disrespect. While there were songs where I appreciated his mixing, this experience overall was well below my personal and professional standards, and I will not have this engineer mix any more of my music ever again.

Beth Ann Schroeder

I am forever grateful for having worked with Jon Margulies from Old School Studios in the creation of my first album, Shine. Jon has the mad skills of a genius, the musical talent of a virtuoso, and a heart as big as the ocean!

If you are looking to record music with a true pro, look no further. Of course, please get in line after me…I’ve got another album to start!

Thank you, Jon, you are the BEST!!!
❤️

Caleb Riley

First of all this Studio is super cool and very well put together. Pictures of iconic musicians can be found in every room. the atmosphere is very inviting and provides space that feels open and accepting. Jon Margulies is incredibly professional, Knowledgable and talented. He is supportive, and always willing to share ideas while still letting you, as the creator the choose what you what to hear.

Laura Jane Tracy

Hands down the best engineer I've ever worked with, the coolest studio I've ever worked in! I'm currently working on a project there. Not only is Jon highly proficient in his craft, he's also easy to work with. Fair pricing, (you don't want bargain basement for your art) smooth and steady progress.
I've tried 3 other studios, Old School is the way to go.