Recording Studio Near Boston
A residential studio with three Steinway grand pianos, 2.5 hours west of Boston.
One Soul Studios is a recording studio near Boston, located in New Baltimore, New York — 2.5 hours west of the city by car, just across the Massachusetts border. For musicians based in Boston, Cambridge, the Berklee and New England Conservatory community, and the broader Massachusetts music scene, the studio is the closest residential recording facility of its scale with three Steinway grand pianos onsite.
The drive runs through the Berkshires. Onsite lodging is available for multi-day work. There is no need to commute back the same day, no hotel to book in a separate town.
A Studio Within Driving Distance of Boston
For Boston-based artists, the closest recording studios are typically in the city itself — busy schedules, urban acoustics, day-rate logistics. A residential studio with the time, space, and acoustic treatment needed for serious album work requires going outside the metro.
The Hudson Valley is a natural option. From Boston, the drive west is approximately 2.5 hours through the Berkshires, ending in the hamlet of New Baltimore, NY — between Albany and the town of Hudson, along the river. The route is straightforward, mostly highway, and the destination is six acres of woods on a residential property.
For Boston-area musicians used to working in city facilities, the difference is immediate. The space is quieter, the sessions can run longer, and the residential format keeps the work concentrated.
Three Steinway Grand Pianos
The studio is built around three Steinway grands, each with a distinct character:
- 2005 Hamburg Steinway D — the concert-grade modern instrument with full dynamic range
- 1904 New York Steinway B — from the Queens factory’s Golden Age, warm and harmonically dark, associated with the Bill Evans sound
- 1883 Centennial Steinway D — a rare period instrument suited to historical repertoire
All three are maintained year-round in a climate-controlled environment. Bobby Avey is the studio’s dedicated technician for tuning, voicing, and regulation. For artists travelling from Boston, an appointment to play all three before the session can be arranged.
The Live Room
The main tracking room measures 32 by 24 feet with a 22-foot vaulted ceiling — the volume an acoustic instrument requires to project without compression. The acoustic design balances diffusion, absorption, and polarization, with a decay of approximately 0.8 seconds.
Three isolation booths connect to the main room for ensemble work with clean separation. A variable acoustic system adjusts the room’s character to match each session.
The setup handles chamber ensembles, jazz groups, vocal recording, instrumental soloists, and any acoustic configuration that calls for a real room.
Distances and Routes
853 Route 144, New Baltimore NY 12124 USA
- Boston / Cambridge — approximately 2.5 hours by car
- Worcester, MA — approximately 2 hours
- Springfield, MA — approximately 1.5 hours
- The Berkshires (Lenox, Pittsfield, Tanglewood) — approximately 1.5 hours east of the studio
- Williams College / North Adams — approximately 1.5 hours
- Albany International Airport (ALB) — 30 minutes
The route from Boston runs west on I-90 (Mass Pike) into upstate New York, then south along the Hudson.
What Artists Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is the studio from Boston?
Approximately 2.5 hours by car, mostly via I-90 west through the Berkshires.
Is the studio accessible from Berklee, NEC, or other Boston music programs?
Yes. The drive from central Boston is approximately 2.5 hours. The studio regularly serves musicians from the Boston-Cambridge area on multi-day recording projects.
Can I bring a chamber ensemble or jazz group from Boston?
Yes. The live room and three isolation booths are configured for ensemble work. A vintage Ludwig drum kit, a Pearl Pro Export kit, and percussion are available onsite alongside the three Steinway pianos.
Is onsite lodging available so I don’t need to drive back the same day?
Yes. Three private bedrooms and a full kitchen are available for multi-day sessions. Lodging is included in the recording packages.
What about artists travelling from the Berkshires or Western Massachusetts?
The studio is approximately 1.5 hours west of the Berkshires region. Musicians touring the summer festival circuit — Tanglewood, Williamstown, the Berkshires venues — can include a recording stop in the same trip.
