{{Short description|Recording studio in New York City, U.S.}} {{Other uses}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = The Hit Factory | image = | logo = TheHitFactory logo 2019BK-01.jpg | foundation = 1969 | type = [[Recording studio]] | industry = [[Music industry|Music]] | location = 676 Broadway | location_city = {{nowrap|[[New York City]]}} | location_country = U.S. | owner = Troy Germano | homepage = {{url|thehitfactory.com}} }} '''The Hit Factory''' is a [[recording studio]] in [[New York City]] owned and operated by Troy Germano.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.thehitfactory.com |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=The Hit Factory}}</ref>

==History== In 1969, songwriter [[Jerry Ragovoy|Jerry Ragavoy]] opened a recording studio in New York City and named it ''The Hit Factory.''<ref name=":6">{{cite web |last1=Perpetua |first1=Matthew |title=Soul Songwriter Jerry Ragovoy Dead at 80 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/soul-songwriter-jerry-ragovoy-dead-at-80-246007/ |website=www.rollingstone.com |date=19 July 2011 }}</ref> On March 6, 1975, Edward Germano, a singer, record producer, and one of the principal owners of the Record Plant Studios New York, purchased The Hit Factory (located at 353 West 48th Street) from Ragavoy.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Robinson|first=Lisa|date=April 7, 1988|title=The Hit Factory: Where To Get The Top Cut|work=The New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/}}</ref> Germano incorporated The Hit Factory into a business, redesigned its studios, and created the logo it uses to this day. At that time, The Hit Factory consisted of 2 studios; Studio A2 and Studio A6. Eventually, a third was added, Studio A5. Notable albums from this location include [[Songs in the Key of Life]] by [[Stevie Wonder]], [[One-Trick Pony (album)|One-Trick Pony]] by [[Paul Simon]], [[Fear of Music]] by [[Talking Heads]], [[Voices (Hall & Oates album)|Voices]] by [[Hall & Oates]], [[Bat Out of Hell]] by [[Meat Loaf]], [[Foreigner (Foreigner album)|Foreigner]] by [[Foreigner (band)]], [[I'm in You]] by [[Peter Frampton]], [[Peter Gabriel (1978 album)|Peter Gabriel ("Scratch")]] by [[Peter Gabriel]], [[Emotional Rescue]] by [[the Rolling Stones]], and [[Double Fantasy]] by [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]].

In 1981, The Hit Factory moved to a new location at 237 West 54th Street, across the street from [[Studio 54]].<ref name="The Hit Factory Reborn">{{cite web |last1=Kenny |first1=Tom |title=The Hit Factory Reborn |url=https://www.mixonline.com |website=[[Mix (magazine)|Mix]] Magazine |access-date=24 February 2023}}</ref> Dubbed The Hit Factory Broadway, the new location had five studios designed by Germano: A1, A2, A3, M1, and M4—the last of which was later transformed into the first mastering suite for Herb Powers Jr.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinstein |first=Bob |date=June 6, 1988 |title=At The Top Of The Charts |work=NY Daily News |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Verna |first=Paul |date=May 23, 1998 |title=At NY's Hit Factory, Success Has Been A Family Affair |work=Billboard Magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/}}</ref>

Albums that were recorded and/or mixed at this location include ''[[Graceland (album)|Graceland]]'' by [[Paul Simon]], ''[[Born in the U.S.A.]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]], ''[[Undercover (Rolling Stones album)|Undercover]]'' by [[the Rolling Stones]], ''[[Under a Blood Red Sky]]'' by [[U2]], ''[[The Rhythm of the Saints]]'' by [[Paul Simon]], ''[[Live 1975–85|Live/1975–85]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]] & [[the E-Street Band]], ''[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper album)|True Colors]]'' by [[Cyndi Lauper]], ''[[Whiplash Smile]]'' by [[Billy Idol]], ''[[Steel Wheels]]'' by the Rolling Stones, ''[[Long After Dark]]'' by [[Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers|Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]], ''[[Agent Provocateur (album)|Agent Provocateur]]'' by [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]], ''[[Tunnel of Love (album)|Tunnel of Love]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]], ''[[Riptide (album)|Riptide]]'' by [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]], ''[[Up Your Alley (album)|Up Your Alley]]'' by [[Joan Jett & The Blackhearts|Joan Jett & the Blackhearts]], ''[[Forever (Kool & the Gang album)|Forever]]'' by [[Kool & the Gang]], the ''[[The Bodyguard (soundtrack)|Bodyguard]]'' soundtrack by [[Whitney Houston]], ''[[Hell Freezes Over]]'' by [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]], ''[[August (Eric Clapton album)|August]]'' by [[Eric Clapton]], ''[[Talk Is Cheap]]'' by [[Keith Richards]] and ''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]'' by [[Michael Jackson]].

In 1987, Germano opened another location, The Hit Factory Times Square, at 130 West 42nd Street. Previously known as Chelsea Sound, the studios were redesigned by Ed and Troy Germano. This facility had two recording studios, Studio C and Studio B, as well as three mastering rooms under the moniker The Hit Factory DMS, for digital mastering studios. The mastering rooms were for engineers Herb Powers Jr., [[Chris Gehringer]], and [[Tom Coyne (music engineer)|Tom Coyne]]. The Times Square recording and mastering studios existed until 1992. Albums of historical importance recorded or mixed at this location include [[Freedom (Neil Young album)|''Freedom'']] by [[Neil Young]], ''[[Foreign Affair (Tina Turner album)|Foreign Affair]]'' by [[Tina Turner]], [[Down with the King (album)|''Down with the King'']] by [[Run-DMC]], ''[[Don't Sweat the Technique]]'' by [[Eric B. & Rakim]], [[Storm Front (album)|''Storm Front'']] by [[Billy Joel]], and [[Mariah Carey (album)]] by [[Mariah Carey]].

In 1991, Ed Germano acquired a 100,000-square-foot building at 421 West 54th Street. It opened in 1993 as simply The Hit Factory.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Carpenter|first=Claudia|date=March 19, 1993|title=Hit Factory Takes on Sony for $9B Pie|work=New York Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Martin|first=Douglas|date=December 7, 1992|title=In Recording Industry, Harmony is Everything|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/07/nyregion/strictly-business-in-recording-industry-harmony-is-everything.html}}</ref> Ed and Troy designed and built this facility with David Bell, Derek Buckingham, Alan Cundell of White Mark Limited and Neil Grant of Harris Grant Associates UK.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Daley|first=Dan|date=February 1992|title=NY Metro Report|work=[[Mix (magazine)|Mix]]|url=http://www.mixonline.com}}</ref> As the main headquarters for The Hit Factory, the studios expanded to seven recording-and-mixing studios (Studios 1–7), five mastering studios (The Hit Factory Mastering) and five private writing-production suites, including rooms for [[Mark Ronson]], [[Kevin Shirley]] and [[Trackmasters]]. Studio 1 was built for orchestral recordings that could accommodate up to 140 musicians.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Nunziata|first=Susan|date=October 31, 1992|title=A Look & Listen To New Hit Factory Facilities|work=Billboard Magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com}}</ref> In 2002, Troy Germano consolidated the New York City operations into this building. Some of the albums recorded or mixed at this facility include [[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I|HIStory]] by [[Michael Jackson]], [[Butterfly (Mariah Carey album)|Butterfly]] by [[Mariah Carey]], [[Let's Talk About Love]] by [[Celine Dion]], [[Dangerously in Love]] by [[Beyoncé]], [[CrazySexyCool]] by [[TLC (group)|TLC]], [[Ray of Light]] by [[Madonna]], [[No Strings Attached (NSYNC album)|No Strings Attached]] by [[NSYNC]], [[Falling into You]] by [[Celine Dion]], [[Daydream (Mariah Carey album)|Daydream]] by [[Mariah Carey]], [[Life After Death]] by [[the Notorious B.I.G.]], the [[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]] [[Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack album]], [[Merry Christmas (Mariah Carey album)|Merry Christmas]] by [[Mariah Carey]], [[Duets (Frank Sinatra album)|Duets]] by [[Frank Sinatra]], [[My Life (Mary J. Blige album)|My Life]] by [[Mary J.Blige|Mary J. Blige]], [[Rhythm of Love (Anita Baker album)|Rhythm of Love]] by [[Anita Baker]], [[Songs (Luther Vandross album)|Songs]] by [[Luther Vandross]], [[The Velvet Rope]] by [[Janet Jackson]], [[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible]] by [[Michael Jackson]], [[Pop (U2 album)|Pop]] by [[U2]], ''[[Space Jam (soundtrack)|Space Jam]]'' with [[Seal (musician)|Seal]], [[X&Y]] by [[Coldplay]], [[Music (Madonna album)|Music]] by [[Madonna]], [[River of Dreams]] by [[Billy Joel]] and [[Sogno]] by [[Andrea Bocelli]].

From 1989 to 1993, the company also operated The Hit Factory London. In 1989, Ed and Troy, in a joint venture with ''Sony Music UK'', took control of CBS Studios on Whitfield Street in Soho, London.<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|last=Hunter|first=Nigel|date=March 10, 1990|title=NY's Hit Factory Hits London|magazine=Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com}}</ref> They redesigned the facility and reopened at the beginning of 1990 with the Rolling Stones working on their album [[Flashpoint (album)|Flashpoint]]. [[Sade (singer)|Sade]] recorded her album [[Love Deluxe]] in Studio 2 and [[Alison Moyet]] recorded her album, "Hoodoo" in Studio 3. The studios were designed by Ed, Troy, and the team from Harris Grant Associates UK (David Bell, Derek Buckingham, Alan Cundell & Neil Grant). This facility had three recording studios: Studio 1, Studio 2, and the Rooftop Studio 3, as well as five mastering rooms and hosted many of the artists from that era from Sony Music's UK labels (primarily Columbia Records & Epic Records). Studio 1 was designed for orchestral recording and could accommodate 100 piece orchestra. The film score for [[Basic Instinct]], by composer [[Jerry Goldsmith]], was recorded here. The Hit Factory London remained through 1993 until the Germano's sold their interests back to Sony Music ending the partnership and retaining The Hit Factory name and trademark.<ref name=":1" /> This facility later became [[Sony]]'s Whitfield Street Studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitemark.com/show_client.php?client_id=67&sub_cat_id=2|title=White Mark Limited – White Mark Clients: Hit Factory<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=whitemark.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202130146/http://www.whitemark.com/show_client.php?client_id=67&sub_cat_id=2|archive-date=2009-02-02}}</ref>

In 1998, Ed and Troy purchased [[Criteria Studios|Criteria Recording]] in [[Miami, Florida]], revamping and reopening the studios under the new name The Hit Factory Criteria Miami.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Walsh|first=Christopher|date=December 29, 2001|title=Studio Monitor|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-date=September 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913150859/http://www.billboard.com/}}</ref> The studios were designed again by Ed, Troy, and White Mark Limited UK (David Bell, Alan Cundell & Derek Buckingham). The facility had five recording studios–Studio A, Studio C, Studio D, Studio E, and Studio F–a completed mastering room used as a writing and production room for guest producers and artists.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 1999|title=Hit Factory Buys Criteria|page=1|work=[[Pro Sound News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=McGee|first=David|date=May 2001|title=The Best of Both Worlds|work=[[Pro Sound News]]|url=http://www.prosoundnetwork.com}}</ref> In 2012, the Germanos sold the studio as Criteria Recording Studios and retained The Hit Factory name, logo and trademark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1755 Ne 149th St, Miami, FL 33181 – 51651334 |url=https://www.realtytrac.com/property/fl/miami/33181/1755-ne-149th-st/51651334/ |access-date=2020-09-25 |website=RealtyTrac |language=en}}</ref>

Edward Germano died in 2003 and The Hit Factory closed its main headquarters in 2005.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|last1=Montgomery|first1=James|date=February 4, 2005|title=The Hit Factory Studio, which lived up to its name, is closing|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1496600/hit-factory-studio-which-lived-up-to-its-name-is-closing/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401013713/http://www.mtv.com/news/1496600/hit-factory-studio-which-lived-up-to-its-name-is-closing/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 1, 2015|publisher=MTV}}</ref> Contrary to reports in the media that the studios in New York City were shuttered due to the advancement of home [[digital recording]],<ref>"The Sound of Silence at Studio", ''Daily News''</ref> the building at 421 West 54th was sold for [[estate planning]] purposes.<ref name="The Hit Factory Reborn" />

In 2008, Troy Germano, completed Germano Studios in Manhattan's [[NoHo, Manhattan|Noho]] neighborhood. Germano Studios changed its name to The Hit Factory in 2023, and is now the only "The Hit Factory" or "Hit Factory" recording studio in the world. Notable albums recorded here include "Hackney Diamonds" by [[The Rolling Stones]], "Jose" by [[J Balvin]], "Crosseyed Heart" by [[Keith Richards]], "Manana Sera Bonito" by [[Karol G]], "Astroworld" by [[Travis Scott]], "Hollywood's Bleeding" by [[Post Malone]], "DAMN." by [[Kendrick Lamar]], "Born This Way" by [[Lady Gaga]], "21" by [[Adele]], "Blonde" by [[Frank Ocean]], "Uptown Special" by [[Mark Ronson]], "Love in the Future" by [[John Legend]], "Éxodo" by [[Peso Pluma]], "Luv Is Rage 2" by [[Lil Uzi Vert]], "Unvarnished" by [[Joan Jett]] and [[the Blackhearts]], "My World 2.0" by [[Justin Bieber]], "4" by [[Beyoncé]], "2014 Forest Hills Drive" by [[J.Cole]], "Clapton" by [[Eric Clapton]], "Scarlet" by [[Doja Cat]], "Beauty Behind The Madness" by [[The Weeknd]], and "Music" by [[Playboi Carti]].

==Locations== The studios occupied several spaces in and around Midtown West, Times Square and Noho. Locations:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/279096-Hit-Factory-Mastering|title=Hit Factory Mastering|website=Discogs.com|access-date=2020-06-12}}</ref>

* 7th Avenue (The Hit Factory) 1969-1972 * 353 West 48th Street, (The Hit Factory, West 48th Street) 1972–1981 * 237 West 54th Street (The Hit Factory Broadway), 1981–2002 * 130 West 42nd Street (The Hit Factory Times Square), 1987–1992 * 31–37 Whitfield Street (The Hit Factory London), 1989–1993 * 1755 NE 149th Street (The Hit Factory Miami), 1998–2012 * 421 West 54th Street (The Hit Factory Headquarters), 1992–2005 * 676 Broadway (The Hit Factory, Noho), 2008–present

==RIAA Diamond Awards== <ref>{{cite web |title=Recording Industry Association of America |url=https://www.riaa.com/ |website=RIAA.com}}</ref>

27 [[Music recording certification|RIAA Diamond Awards]] albums and songs have been recorded at The Hit Factory: * Stevie Wonder "Songs In The Key Of Life" * Bruce Springsteen "Born In The USA" * Whitney Houston "Whitney" * Celine Dion "Falling Into You" * TLC "CrazySexyCool" * Santana "Supernatural" * Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band "Live 1975–'85" * Whitney Houston "The Bodyguard" * Billy Joel "Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II" * "Titanic" soundtrack * Meat Loaf "Bat Out Of Hell" * NSYNC "No Strings Attached" * Celine Dion "Lets Talk About Love" * Michael Jackson "Bad" * Mariah Carey "Daydream" * Lauryn Hill "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" * Adele "21" * Travis Scott "Sicko Mode" * Justin Bieber "Baby" * John Legend "All Of Me" * Maroon 5 "Moves Like Jagger" * Mariah Carey "All I Want For Christmas Is You" * Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" * The Notorious B.I.G. "Life After Death" * Kenny G "Breathless" * Beyonce "Halo" * Mariah Carey "Merry Christmas"

==Album of the Year Grammy Awards== <ref>{{cite web |title=Grammy Awards |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards |website=Grammy.com|date=30 April 2017 }}</ref>

The Hit Factory has 10 wins and 33 nominations for Album of the Year: * 1977 "Songs in the Key of Life" Stevie Wonder * 1980 "Double Fantasy" John Lennon and Yoko Ono * 1987 "Graceland" Paul Simon * 1992 "Unforgettable... With Love" Natalie Cole * 1994 "The Bodyguard" Whitney Houston * 1997 "Falling Into You" Celine Dion * 1999 "The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill" Lauryn Hill * 2000 "Supernatural" Santana * 2012 "21" Adele * 2023 "Mañana Será Bonito" Karol G (Latin Grammy Award)

==Academy Award for Best Original Song==

The Hit Factory has three wins and seven nominations for Best Original Song * 1988 Working Girl "Let the River Run" by Carly Simon * 1995 Pocahontas "Colors of the Wind" by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz * 1997 Titanic "My Heart Will Go On" by James Horner and Will Jennings (Celine Dion)

==John Lennon's last recording session== Public awareness of The Hit Factory increased after the [[Murder of John Lennon|death of John Lennon]] on December 8, 1980. Lennon had recorded his final album at The Hit Factory at 353 West 48th Street, a fact mentioned in some newspaper accounts of the murder. There are contradictory reports as to whether he was recording and mixing at The Hit Factory or the nearby [[Record Plant]] on the day he was murdered. Most publications give the Record Plant as the location,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beatlelinks.net/forums/showthread.php?t=115|title=Hit Factory or Record Plant?? – BeatleLinks Fab Forum|website=Beatlelinks.net|access-date=2020-06-12}}</ref><ref name="BBC News">{{cite news|title=1980: John Lennon shot dead|date=1980-12-08|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/8/newsid_2536000/2536321.stm|access-date=2008-08-06}}</ref> as do producer Jack Douglas and others who were with Lennon that day.<ref name="BBC News" /> However, Keith Badman, not an eyewitness, writes in his book ''The Beatles: After the Break-up, 1970–2000'' that Lennon had been at The Hit Factory the night of his murder. He also writes that Lennon had been at the studio the previous few days working on and mixing tracks for [[Yoko Ono]].

The [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2025/03/24/andy-peebles-dj-last-man-to-interview-john-lennon-obituary/ obituary] of British DJ Andy Peebles to whom John Lennon gave his last interview mentions that Lennon postponed the interview at 'The Hit Factory' until 6pm on Saturday 6th December as he and Yoko had been up all Friday night mixing her new single 'Walking on Thin Ice' suggesting they were at the 353 East 48th Street location. The obituary also shows a [https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/6th-december-dj-andy-peebles-outside-the-hit-factory-news-photo/1254018840 picture] of Andy Peebles and BBC crew outside that 353 location. It was at the studio, that [[John Lennon]] gave his last ever interview. British DJ [[Andy Peebles]] had spoken with the former [[The Beatles|Beatle]] just two days before his [[Murder of John Lennon|murder]] outside his [[Upper West Side]] [[The Dakota|apartment building]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5zx32163po|title=Former BBC Radio 1 DJ and presenter Andy Peebles dies aged 76|publisher=BBC News|date = 23 March 2025}}</ref>

==Notable recordings== ===Albums=== Source:<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Hit Factory|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/266839-The-Hit-Factory|access-date=2020-06-12|website=Discogs.com}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=300px}}

*''[[Hackney Diamonds]]'' by [[The Rolling Stones]] 2023 *''[[Graceland (album)|Graceland]]'' by [[Paul Simon]] 1986 *''[[Songs in the Key of Life]]'' by [[Stevie Wonder]] 1976 *''[[Double Fantasy]]'' by [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]] 1980 *''[[Emotional Rescue]]'' by [[The Rolling Stones]] 1980 *''[[Born in the U.S.A.]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]] 1984 *''[[Mary (Mary J. Blige album)|Mary]]'' by [[Mary J. Blige]] 1999 *''[[Fear of Music]]'' by [[Talking Heads]] 1979 *''[[It Was Written]]'' by [[Nas]] 1996 *''[[Dangerously In Love]]'' by [[Beyoncé]] 2003 *''[[Milk and Honey (album)|Milk and Honey]]'' by [[John Lennon]] and [[Yoko Ono]] 1984 *''[[This Is Me... Then]]'' by [[Jennifer Lopez]] 2002 *''[[Flashpoint (album)|Flashpoint]]'' by [[The Rolling Stones]] 1991 *''[[Scarface (soundtrack)|Scarface]]'' by [[Giorgio Moroder]] 1983 *''[[Hell Freezes Over]]'' by [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]] in 1994 *''[[River of Dreams]]'' by [[Billy Joel]] 1993 *''[[Ready to Die]]'' by [[The Notorious B.I.G.]] 1994 *''[[Pop (U2 album)|Pop]]'' by [[U2]] 1997 *''[[Octavarium]]'' by [[Dream Theater]] 2005 *''[[Under a Blood Red Sky]]'' by [[U2]] 1983 *''[[Chimes of Freedom (EP)|Chimes of Freedom]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]] 1988 *''[[Daydream (Mariah Carey album)|Daydream]]'' by [[Mariah Carey]] 1995 *''[[Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life]]'' by [[Jay-Z]] 1998 *''[[Falling Into You]]'' by [[Celine Dion]] 1996 *''[[The Bodyguard (soundtrack)|The Bodyguard]]'' by [[Whitney Houston]] 1992 *''[[Titanic: Music from the Motion Picture]]'' 1997 *''[[We Live Here]]'' by [[Pat Metheny Group]] 1995 *''[[Space Jam (soundtrack)|Space Jam]]'' 1996 *''[[No Strings Attached (NSYNC album)|No Strings Attached]]'' by [[NSYNC]] 2000 *''[[Nellyville]]'' by [[Nelly]] 2002 *''[[Duets (Frank Sinatra album)|Duets]]'' by [[Frank Sinatra]] 1993 *''[[Bat Out Of Hell]]'' by [[Meat Loaf]] 1977 *''[[Foreigner (Foreigner album)|Foreigner]]'' by [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]] 1977 *''[[Hands All Over (album)]]'' by [[Maroon 5]] 2010 *''[[Unforgettable... with Love]]'' by [[Natalie Cole]] 1991 *''[[True Colors (Cyndi Lauper album)|True Colors]]'' by [[Cyndi Lauper]] 1986 *''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I]]'' by [[Michael Jackson]] 1995 *''[[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|Dangerous]]'' by [[Michael Jackson]] 1991 *''[[CrazySexyCool]]'' by [[TLC (group)|TLC]] 1994 *''[[Celebrity (album)|Celebrity]]'' by [[NSYNC]] 2001 *''[[What's the 411?]]'' by [[Mary J. Blige]] 1992 *''[[Merry Christmas (Mariah Carey album)|Merry Christmas]]'' by [[Mariah Carey]] 1994 *''[[Riptide (album)|Riptide]]'' by [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]] 1985 *''[[Big Willie Style]]'' by [[Will Smith]] 1997 *''[[Swept Away (Diana Ross album)|Swept Away]]'' by [[Diana Ross]] 1984 *''[[Forever (Kool & the Gang album)|Forever]]'' by [[Kool & the Gang]] 1986 *''[[Machismo (album)|Machismo]]'' by [[Cameo (band)|Cameo]] 1988 *''[[Live at the Hollywood Palladium, December 15, 1988]]'' by [[Keith Richards]] 1988 *''[[Green (R.E.M. album)|Green]]'' by [[R.E.M.]] 1988 *''[[Rhythm of Love (Anita Baker album)|Rhythm of Love]]'' by [[Anita Baker]] 1994 *''[[Down with the King (album)|Down with the King]]'' by [[Run-DMC]] 1993 *''[[Live and Sleazy]]'' by [[Village People]] 1979 *''[[Britney (album)|Britney]]'' by [[Britney Spears]] 2001 *''[[Main Offender]]'' by [[Keith Richards]] 1993 *''[[I Am... (Nas album)|I Am...]]'' by [[Nas]] 1999 *''[[Valotte]]'' by [[Julian Lennon]] 1984 *''[[Greatest Hits (Lenny Kravitz album)|Greatest Hits]]'' by [[Lenny Kravitz]] 2000 *''[[Dream of Life]]'' by [[Patti Smith]] 1988 *''[[Boys and Girls (album)|Boys and Girls]]'' by [[Bryan Ferry]] 1985 *''[[More Than You Think You Are]]'' by [[Matchbox Twenty]] 2002 *''[[Up (R.E.M. album)|Up]]'' by [[R.E.M.]] 1998 *''[[The Velvet Rope]]'' by [[Janet Jackson]] 1997 *''[[X&Y]]'' by [[Coldplay]] 2005 *''[[Songs (Luther Vandross album)|Songs]]'' by [[Luther Vandross]] 1994 *''[[Time, Love & Tenderness]]'' by [[Michael Bolton]] 1991 *''[[A Very Special Christmas]]'' by Various Artists 1987 *''[[Back to the Future (soundtrack)|Back to the Future]]'' Soundtrack 1986 *''[[Supernatural (Santana album)|Supernatural]]'' by [[Santana (band)|Santana]] 1999 *''[[Night Music (Joe Jackson album)|Night Music]]'' by [[Joe Jackson (musician)|Joe Jackson]] 1994 *''[[Men Without Women (album)|Men Without Women]]'' by [[Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul]] 1982 *''[[Rocky IV (soundtrack)|Rocky IV]]'' Soundtrack 1985 *''[[Sacred Love]]'' by [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] 2003 *''[[Mariah Carey (album)|Mariah Carey]]'' by [[Mariah Carey]] 1990 *''[[Foreign Affair (Tina Turner album)|Foreign Affair]]'' by [[Tina Turner]] 1989 *''[[The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration]]'' by [[Bob Dylan]] 1993 *''[[Tunnel of Love (album)|Tunnel of Love]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]] 1987 *''[[Whitney (album)|Whitney]]'' by [[Whitney Houston]] 1987 *''[[Black Tie White Noise]]'' by [[David Bowie]] 1993 *''[[Bedtime Stories (Madonna album)|Bedtime Stories]]'' by [[Madonna]] 1994 *''[[Survivor (Destiny's Child album)|Survivor]]'' by [[Destiny's Child]] 2001 *''[[Back to Broadway]]'' by [[Barbra Streisand]] 1993 *''[[Sogno]]'' by [[Andrea Bocelli]] 1999 *''[[Love Deluxe]]'' by [[Sade (band)|Sade]] 1992 *''[[You Can Dance]]'' by [[Madonna]] 1987 *''[[Hollywood's Bleeding]]'' by [[Post Malone]] 2019 *''[[Astroworld (album)|Astroworld]]'' by [[Travis Scott]] 2018 *''[[Damn (Kendrick Lamar album)|Damn]]'' by [[Kendrick Lamar]] 2017 *''[[Living In A Ghost Town]]'' by [[The Rolling Stones]] 2020 *''[[Stoney (album)|Stoney]]'' by [[Post Malone]] 2016 *''[[The Life of Pablo]]'' by [[Kanye West]] 2016 *''[[Crosseyed Heart]]'' by [[Keith Richards]] 2015 *''[[Brightest Blue]]'' by [[Ellie Goulding]] 2020 *''[[Born This Way (album)|Born This Way]]'' by [[Lady Gaga]] 2011 *''[[21 (Adele album)|21]]'' by [[Adele]] 2012 *''[[4 (Beyoncé album)|4]]'' by [[Beyoncé]] 2011 *''[[My World 2.0]]'' by [[Justin Bieber]] 2010 *''[[Beauty Behind The Madness]]'' by [[The Weeknd]] 2015 *''[[Clapton (2010 album)|Clapton]]'' by [[Eric Clapton]] 2010 *''[[Blonde (Frank Ocean album)|Blonde]]'' by [[Frank Ocean]] 2016 *''[[Queen (Nicki Minaj album)|Queen]]'' by [[Nicki Minaj]] 2018 *''[[Battle Born (album)|Battle Born]]'' by [[the Killers]] 2012 *''[[Bridges (Josh Groban album)|Bridges]]'' by [[Josh Groban]] 2018 *''[[Uptown Special]]'' by [[Mark Ronson]]2015 *''[[Yeezus]]'' by [[Kanye West]] 2013 *''[[Prism (Katy Perry album)|Prism]]'' by [[Katy Perry]] 2013 *''[[Threads (Sheryl Crow album)|Threads]]'' by [[Sheryl Crow]] 2019 *''[[Play On (Carrie Underwood album)|Play On]]'' by [[Carrie Underwood]] 2009 *''[[Luv Is Rage 2]]'' by [[Lil Uzi Vert]] 2017 *''[[A Town Called Paradise]]'' by [[Tiesto]] 2014 *''[[Cloud Nine (Kygo album)|Cloud Nine]]'' by [[Kygo]] 2016 *''[[At.Long.Last.A$AP]]'' by [[A$AP Rocky]] 2015 *''[[Harmony (Josh Groban album)|Harmony]]'' by [[Josh Groban]] 2020 *''[[The Blessed Unrest]]'' by [[Sara Bareilles]] 2013 *''[[async (album)|async]]'' by [[Ryuichi Sakamoto]] 2017 *''[[Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel]]'' by [[Mariah Carey]] 2009 *''[[Stronger With Each Tear]]'' by [[Mary J. Blige]] 2009 *''[[Life Is Good (Nas album)|Life Is Good]]'' by [[Nas]] 2012 *''[[Vibras (album)|Vibras]]'' by [[J Balvin]] 2018 *''Rêvolution by [[IAM (band)|IAM]]'' 2017 *''[[Title (album)|Title]]'' by [[Meghan Trainor]] 2015 *''[[The Element of Freedom]]'' by [[Alicia Keys]] 2009 *''[[Native (album)|Native]]'' by [[OneRepublic]] 2013 *''[[Rebirth (Lil Wayne album)|Rebirth]]'' by [[Lil Wayne]] 2010 *''[[Rated R (Rihanna album)|Rated R]]'' by [[Rihanna]] 2009 *''[[Love in the Future]]'' by [[John Legend]] 2014 *''[[Girl (Pharrell Williams album)|Girl]]'' by [[Pharrell Williams]] 2014 *''[[This House Is Not for Sale]]'' by [[Bon Jovi]] 2016 *''[[Unvarnished]]'' by [[Joan Jett and the Blackhearts]] 2013 *''[[Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent]]'' by [[Lewis Capaldi]] 2019 *''[[2020 (Bon Jovi album)|2020]]'' by [[Bon Jovi]] 2020 *''[[Invasion of Privacy (album)|Invasion of Privacy]]'' by [[Cardi B]] 2018 *''[[Stranger Songs]]'' by [[Ingrid Michaelson]] 2019 *''[[Tha Carter V]]'' by [[Lil Wayne]] 2018 *''[[My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy]]'' by [[Kanye West]] 2010 *''[[Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie]]'' by [[Volbeat]] 2016 *''[[Anti (album)|Anti]]'' by [[Rihanna]] 2016 *''[[Before I Self Destruct]]'' by [[50 Cent]] 2009 *''[[MDNA (album)|MDNA]]'' by [[Madonna]] 2012 *''[[Merry Christmas II You]]'' by [[Mariah Carey]] 2010 *''[[I Am... Sasha Fierce]]'' by [[Beyoncé]] 2009 *''[[Oasis (J Balvin and Bad Bunny album)|Oasis]]'' by [[J. Balvin]] and [[Bad Bunny]] 2019 *''[[The Beginning (Black Eyed Peas album)|The Beginning]]'' by [[The Black Eyed Peas]] 2010 *''[[No Mercy (T.I. album)|No Mercy]]'' by [[T.I.]] 2010 *''[[I Decided (album)|I Decided]]'' by [[Big Sean]] 2017 *''[[Christmas (Michael Bublé album)|Christmas]]'' by [[Michael Buble]] 2011 *''[[Cradlesong (album)|Cradlesong]]'' by [[Rob Thomas (musician)|Rob Thomas]] 2009 *''[[Mind of Mine]]'' by [[Zayn Malik|Zayn]] 2016 *''[[The Blues Is Alive and Well]]'' by [[Buddy Guy]] 2018 *''Swing Symphony'' by [[Wynton Marsalis]] 2019 *''[[Soulbook]]'' by [[Rod Stewart]] 2009 *''[[Light (Matisyahu album)|Light]]'' by [[Matisyahu]] 2009 *''[[Everybody (Logic album)|Everybody]]'' by [[Logic (rapper)|Logic]] 2017 *''[[Malice N Wonderland]]'' by [[Snoop Dogg]] 2009 *''[[Suga (EP)|Suga]]'' by [[Megan Thee Stallion]] 2020 *''[[I Look To You]]'' by [[Whitney Houston]] 2009 *''[[Sweetener (album)|Sweetener]]'' by [[Ariana Grande]] 2018 *''[[Dark Lane Demo Tapes]]'' by [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] 2020 *''[[The Revenant (soundtrack)|The Revenant]]'' Soundtrack 2016 *''[[Beauty and the Beast (2017 soundtrack)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' Soundtrack 2017 *''[[Mary Poppins Returns (soundtrack)|Mary Poppins Returns]]'' Soundtrack 2018 *''[[Despicable Me: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]]'' Soundtrack 2010 *''[[Over The Moon (2020 film)|Over The Moon]]'' Soundtrack 2020 *''Hello Dolly!'' (Bette Midler) Broadway Cast Recording 2017 *''[[Creed (film)|Creed]]'' Soundtrack 2015 *''[[Minamata (film)|Minamata]]'' Soundtrack 2020 *''Black Mirror'' Smithereens Soundtrack by Ryuichi Sakamoto 2019 *''[[Bad Reputation (2018 film)|Bad Reputation]]'' Soundtrack 2018 *''[[Talk Is Cheap]]'' by [[Keith Richards]] 1988 *''[[Steel Wheels]]'' by [[The Rolling Stones]] 1989 *''[[Undercover (Rolling Stones album)|Undercover]]'' by [[The Rolling Stones]] 1983 *''[[Live/1975-85]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]] & [[The E Street Band]] 1986 *''[[Nine Lives (Aerosmith album)|Nine Lives]]'' by [[Aerosmith]] 1997 *''[[August (Eric Clapton album)|August]]'' by [[Eric Clapton]] 1986 *''[[Kamakiriad]]'' by [[Donald Fagen]] 1993 *''[[On The 6]]'' by [[Jennifer Lopez]] 1999 *''[[Storm Front (album)|Storm Front]]'' by [[Billy Joel]] 1989 *''[[Music (Madonna album)|Music]]'' by [[Madonna]] 2000 *''[[Whiplash Smile]]'' by [[Billy Idol]] 1986 *''[[Freedom (Neil Young album)|Freedom]]'' by [[Neil Young]] 1989 *''[[Rhythm of the Saints]]'' by [[Paul Simon]] 1990 *''[[Let's Talk About Love]]'' by [[Celine Dion]] 1997 *''[[Invincible (Michael Jackson album)|Invincible]]'' by [[Michael Jackson]] 2001 *''[[Romances (Luis Miguel album)|Romances]]'' by [[Luis Miguel]] 1997 *''[[Never Let Me Go (Luther Vandross album)|Never Let Me Go]]'' by [[Luther Vandross]] 1993 *''[[Butterfly (Mariah Carey album)|Butterfly]]'' by [[Mariah Carey]] 1997 *''[[Babylon and On]]'' by [[Squeeze (band)|Squeeze]] 1987 *''[[You're the One (Paul Simon album)|You're the One]]'' by [[Paul Simon]] 2000 *''[[Goddess in the Doorway]]'' by [[Mick Jagger]] 2001 *''[[Brian Wilson (album)|Brian Wilson]]'' by [[Brian Wilson]] 1988 *''[[Animalize]]'' by [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] 1984 *''[[Long After Dark]]'' by [[Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers]] 1982 *''[[Voices (Hall & Oates album)|Voices]]'' by [[Hall & Oates]] 1980 *''[[Lick It Up]]'' by [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] 1983 *''{{proper name|[[7800° Fahrenheit]]}}'' by [[Bon Jovi]] 1985 *''[[State of Confusion]]'' by [[the Kinks]] 1983 *''[[Across the Borderline]]'' by [[Willie Nelson]] 1993 *''[[Your Filthy Little Mouth]]'' by [[David Lee Roth]] 1994 *''[[Come Out and Play (Twisted Sister album)|Come Out and Play]]'' by [[Twisted Sister]] 1985 *''[[Up Your Alley (album)|Up Your Alley]]'' by [[Joan Jett and The Blackhearts]] 1988 *''[[Steppin' Out (Tony Bennett album)|Steppin' Out]]'' by [[Tony Bennett]] 1994 *''[[Forty Licks]]'' by [[The Rolling Stones]] 2002 *''[[Ray of Light]]'' by [[Madonna]] 1998 *''[[Paul Simon's Concert in the Park]]'' by [[Paul Simon]] 1991 *''[[John Lennon Anthology]]'' by [[John Lennon]] 1998 *''[[Taste of Chocolate]]'' by [[Big Daddy Kane]] 1990 *''[[Bad (album)|Bad]]'' by [[Michael Jackson]] 1987 *''[[Greatest Hits (Bruce Springsteen album)|Greatest Hits]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]] 1995 *''Greatest Hits – Volume I & Volume II'' by [[Billy Joel]] *''[[Heavy Nova (album)|Heavy Nova]]'' by [[Robert Palmer (singer)|Robert Palmer]] 1987 *''[[My Life (Mary J. Blige album)|My Life]]'' by [[Mary J. Blige]] 1994 *''[[My Love Is Your Love]]'' by [[Whitney Houston]] 1998 *''[[The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus]]'' by [[The Rolling Stones]] 1996 *''[[Share My World]]'' by [[Mary J. Blige]] 1997 *''[[Still Waters (Bee Gees album)|Still Waters]]'' by [[Bee Gees]] 1997 *''[[Temple of Low Men]]'' by [[Crowded House]] 1998 *''[[Blood on the Dance Floor: HIStory in the Mix]]'' by [[Michael Jackson]] 1997 *''[[A Night to Remember (Cyndi Lauper album)|A Night to Remember]]'' by [[Cyndi Lauper]] 1989 *''[[Ooh Yeah! (album)|Ooh Yeah!]]'' by [[Hall & Oates]] 1988 *''[[I'm in You]]'' by [[Peter Frampton]] 1976 *''[[Big Science]]'' by [[Laurie Anderson]] 1982 *''[[Sons of Soul]]'' by [[Tony! Toni! Tone!]] 1993 *''[[I Am... (Nas album)|I Am...]]'' by [[Nas]] 1999 *''[[Groove Approved]]'' by [[Paul Carrack]] 1989 *''[[The Hunter (Blondie album)|The Hunter]]'' by [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]] 1982 *''Special'' by [[Jimmy Cliff]] 1982 *''[[True Blue (Madonna album)|True Blue]]'' by [[Madonna]] 1986 *''[[Shaka Zulu]]'' by [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]] 1987 *''[[Power of Love (Luther Vandross album)|Power of Love]]'' by [[Luther Vandross]] 1991 *''[[Mr. Happy Go Lucky]]'' by [[John Mellencamp]] 1996 *''[[Soul Searchin' (Glenn Frey album)|Soul Searchin']]'' by [[Glenn Frey]] 1988 *''[[18 Tracks]]'' by [[Bruce Springsteen]] 1999 *''[[Uh-Oh (David Byrne album)|Uh-Oh]]'' by [[David Byrne]] 1992 *''[[Station to Station]]'' by [[David Bowie]] 1976 *''[[Agent Provocateur (album)|Agent Provocateur]] '' by [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]] 1984 *''[[It's a Game (Bay City Rollers album)|It's a Game]]'' by [[Bay City Rollers]] 1977 *''[[Stripped (Christina Aguilera album)|Stripped]]'' by [[Christina Aguilera]] 2002 *''[[Music (Playboi Carti album)]]'' by [[Playboi Carti]] 2025

{{Div col end}}

==Equipment== {{Overly detailed|section|date=January 2021}}

=== 1975–1981 === The Hit Factory's facility at 353 West 48th Street used a mixture of recording equipment. Consoles included a [[Neve Electronics|Neve]] 8068 32-channel console, a Custom [[Automated Processes, Inc.|API]] 32 input console, an [[Music Center Incorporated|MCI]] JH-500 36-channel console, and an MCI JH-636 36 channel console. The analog tape machines were Studer A80 24-track 2-inch (''wide body'') analog recorders, Studer A80 16-track 2-inch (''narrow body'') analog recorders, Studer A80 2-track 1/4-inch analog recorders and an MCI JH-24 24-track 2-inch analog recorder. The outboard gear was a combination of numerous custom pieces from that period plus Eventide, Neve, Lang, Teletronix, Universal, [[Pultec]], Orban, Kepex, EMT, Fairchild and API. The monitoring was a combination of Westlake, Hidley, Altec, UREI and Auratone. Microphones were Neumann, AKG, Sennheiser, Sony, Norelco, Shure, and Electrovoice. The studios also had [[EMT 140]] plate reverbs, Cooper Time Cubes and Spring reverbs.

=== 1981–2002 === This period saw multiple locations: The Hit Factory Broadway, at 237 West 54th Street, and The Hit Factory Times Square, at 130 West 42nd Street. There were a mixture of desks between the locations as the consoles moved between the seven studios. An MCI JH-636 36 channel console with MCI automation in Studio A2 (''moved from West 48th Street''). A Neve 8068 32 channel console with Necam 1 moving fader automation, then GML moving faders in Studio A1 & Studio A (''moved from West 48th Street''). A Custom API 32 input console without automation in Studio A3 (''moved from West 48th Street''). A pair of [[Solid State Logic]] [[Solid State Logic SL 4000|4000 SL48 E Series]] 48 channel consoles in Studio A1 & A2, then an additional SSL 4000 SL64 G Series with Ultimation was added to Studio 2.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=|first=|date=January 18, 1992|title=Pro Audio|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-date=September 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913150859/http://www.billboard.com/}}</ref> A Solid State Logic 4000 SL64 E Series 64 channel console in Studio M1 and a Solid State Logic 6000 SL72 E Series console in Studio M1. A pair of Neve VR 60 channel consoles in Studio A1, A2 & A3, a Neve VR 36 channel console in Studio A3, a Neve VR 72<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=March 1997|title=Studio Pro Live Secret Samadhi Equipment Notes|page=46|work=[[Pro Sound News]]|department=Recording|publication-date=March 1992|url=https://www.prosoundnetwork.com/|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-date=2021-01-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122202631/https://www.prosoundnetwork.com/}}</ref> channel console in Studio A1, a Neve V Series Vatican 60 channel console in Studio A3, a Neve 8068 40 channel console with Necam II moving fader automation, then GML moving faders in Studio A3 & Studio B, and a Neve 8128 28 channel console in Studio A4. The tape machines were Studer A800 24 track 2 inch analog recorders, Studer A820 24 track 2 inch analog recorders, Studer A827<ref name=":3" /> 24 track 2 inch analog recorders, Studer A80 2 track 1/2 inch & 1/4 inch 2 track analog recorders, a Studer A810 2 track 1/4 inch analog recorder, a Studer A80 4 track 1/2 inch analog recorder, and Otari MTR-90 24 track analog recorders. The digital machines were Sony 3324A 24 track 1/2 inch digital recorders with Apogee filters, Mitsubishi X880 32 track 1 inch digital recorders, and Mitsubishi X80 & X86 2 track 1/4 inch digital recorders. The outboard gear was a combination of AMS, Quantec, Eventide, Publison, Lexicon, Universal Audio, Teletronix, Tube-Tech, Pultec, GML, SSL, Neve, API, EMT, Apogee, Focusrite, Manley and Avalon. The monitoring was a combination of UREI, Quested, Tannoy, Augspurger, Yamaha, Auratone, Westlake, Genelec,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Goodyer|first=Tim|date=June 1998|title=Hit Formula|work=Studio Sound|url=|access-date=}}</ref> Meyer, Altec, and David's. The microphones collection included Telefunken, Neumann, Sony, B&K, RCA, Schoeps, Beyer Dynamic, AKG, Sennheiser, Norelco, Electrovoice & Shure.

=== 1993–2005 === This paragraph focuses solely on the main headquarters at 421 West 54th Street -- known as The Hit Factory. The consoles consisted of a Neve 8068 72 channel console with Flying Faders in Studio 2.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Daley|first=Dan|date=February 1993|title=N.Y. Metro Report|work=[[Mix (magazine)|Mix]]|department=NY Metro|url=https://www.mixonline.com/|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-date=2021-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121051045/https://www.mixonline.com/}}</ref> Also a Neve VSP 72 channel console with Flying Faders in Studio 1,<ref name=":0" /> and a Solid State Logic 9000 J Series 9080 80 channel console in Studio 1. A Solid State Logic K Series 9080 80 channel console in Studio 2, a Solid State Logic G+ 4064 64 channel console in Studio 3, and a Solid State Logic J Series 9080 80 channel console in Studio 3. In Studio 4 there was a Solid State Logic 4000 SL96 E Series 96 channel console, followed by a Solid State Logic AXIOM 80 channel digital console in Studio 4, and then a Solid State Logic 9000 J Series<ref name=":0" /> 9080 80 channel console. There was a Sony Oxford digital console in Studio 5,<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=February 1998|title=All Digital!|page=Cover|work=[[Pro Sound News]]|url=https://www.prosoundnetwork.com/|access-date=}}</ref> followed by a Euphonix System 5 digital console.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Walsh|first=Christopher|date=November 2, 2002|title=Studio Monitor|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com|access-date=}}</ref> A Solid State Logic K Series 9080 80 channel console was in Studio 6 and a Solid State Logic K Series 9080 80 channel console was in Studio 7.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Walsh|first=Christopher|date=July 13, 2002|title=BMG's Presley 'Hits' Collection Breathes New Life Into Music|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com|access-date=}}</ref> The analog tape machines were Studer A800 24 track 2 inch analog recorders, Studer A827 24 track 2 inch analog recorders, a Studer A827 16 track 2 inch analog recorder, Studer A820 2 track 1/2 inch analog recorders, and Studer A80 2 track 1/2 inch analog recorders. The digital tape machines were Sony 3348<ref name=":3" /> 48 channel 1/2 inch digital recorders, Sony 3348HR<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=September 28, 1997|title=Hit Factory Buys Big At Sony|page=4|work=The Daily|issue=Day 3 & 4|url=https://www.aes.org|access-date=}}</ref> 48 channel 1/2 inch digital recorders, Mitsubishi X880 32 track 1 inch digital recorders, Sony PCM-3402 DASH 2 track 1/4 inch digital recorders, and Sony PCM 1630 2 track digital recorders.<ref name=":2" /> Digidesign Pro Tools systems were introduced as part of the new hard disk recorders for all of the studios as of 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Verna|first=Paul|date=June 2002|title=Coast to Coast NY Metro|work=[[Mix (magazine)|Mix]]|url=https://www.mixonline.com|access-date=}}</ref> The monitoring systems changed from Boxers to Augspurgers<ref name=":3" /> as well as a selection of Yamaha, Genelec, ProAcs, Auratones, Dynaudio and Mastering Lab for the near field speakers. The outboard gear included AMS, AMS Neve, Lexicon,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Verna|first=Paul|date=September 2002|title=New York Metro|work=[[Mix (magazine)|Mix]]|url=https://www.mixonline.com|access-date=}}</ref> Eventide, API, Focusrite, SSL, Avalon,<ref name=":4" /> Manley, Weiss, Tube-Tech, Pultec, Universal Audio, Teletronix, GML, EMT and Quantek. The microphone collection grew to include Coles, Neumann,<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Walsh|first=Christopher|date=June 2, 2001|title=Bennett Records Duets In Live Hit Factory Atmosphere|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.billboard.com/|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-date=September 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913150859/http://www.billboard.com/}}</ref> Telefunken, Sennheiser, AKG, Schoeps, B&K, Sony, Shure, RCA, Norelco, Beyer Dynamic & Electrovoice.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 1994|title=The Hit Factory, Inc The State's Greatest Studio|work=Studio Sound and Broadcast Engineering|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-Studio-Sound/90s/Studio-Sound-1994-11.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Charlesworth|first=Roger|date=July 1998|title=Hit Factory Studio 5|edition=American|work=Audio Media|issue=9|url=|access-date=|issn=1096-2204}}</ref>

=== 1989–1993 === The Hit Factory London was located on Whitfield Street in Soho London. There were three studios and the consoles consisted of a Neve VR 72 channel console in Studio 1 for orchestral recording & mixing, a Neve VR 72 channel console in Studio 2 for overdub recording & mixing and a Solid State Logic 4000 SL56 E Series 56 channel console for band recording & mixing. The analog tape machines were Studer A820 & Studer A827 24 track 2 inch analog recorders and Studer A80 2 track 1/2 inch analog recorders. The digital tape machines included Sony 3348 48 channel 1/2 inch digital recorders, and Sony PCM 1630 2 track digital recorders. The monitoring systems were Boxer's as well as Yamaha, Genelec & Auratone near field speakers. The outboard gear was a large selection of AMS, Neve, SSL, GML, Lexicon, EMT, Pultec, Tube-Tech, Teletronix, Universal Audio, Manley, Eventide, API & Focusrite. The microphone collection consisted of Neumann, Telefunken, Sennheiser, AKG, Sony, Shure, Electrovoice, Beyer Dynamic, Coles, B&K.

=== 2008–present === The Hit Factory in New York's Noho consists of two studios. The consoles are a pair of Solid State Logic Duality Delta 48 channel consoles for recording and mixing in Studio 1 and Studio 2.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Weiss|first=David|date=August 2008|title=New York Metro|work=[[Mix (magazine)|Mix]]|url=https://www.mixonline.com/recording/ny-metro-report-august-2008-366010|access-date=}}</ref> Both studios are equipped with Avid Pro Tools PT Ultimate 2024.6 HDX3 64/64 systems with the Apple Mac Studio M1 computers and Sonnet expansion racks. The monitoring systems are custom Exigy S412G monitors with custom dual 18" subwoofers in each of the control rooms.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-06-18|title=Germano Studios Opens|url=https://www.prosoundnetwork.com/archives/germano-studios-opens|access-date=2021-01-19|website=ProSoundNetwork.com|language=en-US}}</ref> The near field speakers are Genelec 8040B active monitors, Amphion One 18 passive monitors, Avantone CLA-10 active monitors, Avantone CLA-10 passive monitors, Yamaha NS-10M Studio passive monitors, Avantone Mix Cube passive & active monitors, KRK Rokit 7 G4 monitors, and Auratones. The outboard gear is an arsenal of selected pieces from Neve, API, Chandler, Retro Instruments, Lavry, Bricasti, AMS, Focusrite, Universal Audio, Tube-Tech, Moog, Heritage Audio, Empirical Labs, Black Lion, SSL.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Walsh|first=Christopher|date=October 2007|title=Germano Studio Set to Open|work=[[Pro Sound News]]|url=https://www.prosoundnetwork.com|access-date=}}</ref> The microphone collection consists of Telefunken,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-08-27|title=NYC Studios Welcome 127th AES Convention|url=https://www.prosoundnetwork.com/business/nyc-studios-welcome-127th-aes-convention|access-date=2021-01-19|website=ProSoundNetwork.com|language=en-US}}</ref> Neumann, Coles, Sennheiser, DPA, Schoeps, AKG, Shure, Austrian Audio, Royer, AEA, Electrovoice, Beyer Dynamic, Tul, Yamaha and Sony. The collection of plug-ins include Avid, Eventide, Waves, Antares, Apogee, Fabfilter, Focusrite, Izotope, MCDSP, Native Instruments, Oeksound, Plugin Alliance, Abbey Road Collection, Audio Ease, Metric Halo, Universal Audio, Softube, Sonnox, Soundtoys, Slate Digital, SSL, TC Electronic and The Hit Factory Plugins HitVerb.<ref>{{cite web |title=Studio 2 |url=https://www.thehitfactory.com/studio-2/ |website=The Hit Factory |access-date=2025-03-16}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|The Hit Factory}} * {{Official website|http://www.germanostudios.com/}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hit Factory}} [[Category:Recording studios in Manhattan]] [[Category:1975 establishments in New York City]] [[Category:2005 disestablishments in New York (state)]] [[Category:Midtown Manhattan]]