Allen Sides. The Interview on The Roundtable with Drew

Legendary recording engineer, studio owner, speaker designer, record producer, and businessman Allen Sides sits down with Drew Dempsey —joined by special guests: 10-time Grammy-winning engineer/producer Joe Chiccarelli and Paul Camarata, owner of the iconic Sunset Sound studios.

Allen’s journey began in 1968 in a humble Santa Monica garage, where he built Ocean Way Recording to showcase his custom monitor designs. What started as a passion project evolved into a world-renowned recording empire. From acquiring the legendary United Recording Studio in Hollywood in partnership with Bill Putnam, to building state-of-the-art facilities in Nashville, St. Barths, and Sherman Oaks, Allen's impact on the industry is nothing short of remarkable.
The Ocean Way brand today spans far beyond studios. It includes high-end (and incredibly accurate) studio monitors, a unique and accessible microphone, acclaimed UAD plug-ins, drum sample libraries, and even an iOS app for mobile audio solutions.

As an engineer and producer, Allen is renowned for his precision and ear for detail. He has worked with an extraordinary range of artists, including Phil Collins, Green Day, Eric Clapton, Faith Hill, Wynonna Judd, Beck, Mary J. Blige, Ry Cooder, Joni Mitchell, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, André Previn, Michael Jackson, and Frank Zappa. A pioneer in vintage gear preservation, Allen played a crucial role in rescuing classic tube microphones during the 1980s and is widely considered one of the most experienced ears in the business.
Having once owned the legendary Record One Studio, Allen shares rare insights into the Michael Jackson sessions and the eventual sale of the studio to rap mogul Dr. Dre. He has since sold Ocean Way Recording as well, turning his full focus to the world of high-performance speaker design.
This conversation is a rare glimpse into the mind and career of one of the most influential figures in modern recording history.

Guest: Allen Sides
Producer/Host: Drew Dempsey:   / dfdproductions  
Co- Host: Joe Chiccarelli   / joechiccarelliproduce  
Paul Camarata


Audio: Farokh Shroff


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