The Hit Factory

History[edit]

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 from Jerry Ragavoy.^[2][3] At that time The Hit Factory studios were located at 353 West 48th Street^[4] and consisted of two studios, A2 and A6. Eventually, a third studio, A5, was added. These studios were active from 1975 to 1981. Germano incorporated The Hit Factory into a business, redesigned its studios, and created the logo it uses to this day. Notable albums from this location include Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder, One-Trick Pony by Paul Simon, Fear of Music by Talking Heads, Voices by Hall & Oates, Bat Out of Hell by Meat Loaf, Foreigner by Foreigner (band), I'm in You by Peter Frampton, Live and Sleazy by Village People, Peter Gabriel ("Scratch") by Peter Gabriel, Emotional Rescue by the Rolling Stones, 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.^[5] 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. Germano's son, Troy Germano, started working full-time with him at this location.^[6][7] Albums that were recorded and/or mixed at this location include Graceland by Paul Simon, Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen, Undercover by the Rolling Stones, Under a Blood Red Sky by U2, The Rhythm of the Saints by Paul Simon, Live/1975–85 by Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, 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, Agent Provocateur by Foreigner, Tunnel of Love by Bruce Springsteen, Riptide by Robert Palmer, Up Your Alley by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Forever by Kool & the Gang, the Bodyguard soundtrack by Whitney Houston, Hell Freezes Over by Eagles, August by Eric Clapton, Talk Is Cheap by Keith Richards and 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. The Times Square recording and mastering studios existed until 1992. Albums of historical importance recorded or mixed at this location include Freedom by Neil Young, Foreign Affair by Tina Turner, Down with the King by Run-DMC, Don't Sweat the Technique by Eric B. & Rakim, and Storm Front by Billy Joel, 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.^[8][9] 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.^[10] 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.^[7][11] 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 by Michael Jackson, Butterfly by Mariah Carey, Let's Talk About Love by Celine Dion, Dangerously in Love by Beyoncé, Diary of a Mad Band by Jodeci, CrazySexyCool by TLC, Ray of Light by Madonna, No Strings Attached by NSYNC, Falling into You by Celine Dion, Daydream by Mariah Carey, Ready to Die by the Notorious B.I.G., the Titanic soundtrack album, Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey, Duets by Frank Sinatra, My Life by Mary J. Blige, Rhythm of Love by Anita Baker, Songs by Luther Vandross, The Velvet Rope by Janet Jackson, Invincible by Michael Jackson, Pop by U2, Space Jam with Seal, X&Y by Coldplay, 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.^[12] They redesigned the facility and reopened at the beginning of 1990 with the Rolling Stones working on their album Flashpoint. 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.^[12] This facility later became Sony's Whitfield Street Studio.^[13]


In 1998, Ed and Troy purchased Criteria Recording in Miami, Florida, revamping and reopening the studios under the new name The Hit Factory Criteria Miami.^[14] 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.^[15][16] In 2012, the Germanos sold the studio as Criteria Recording Studios and retained The Hit Factory name, logo and trademark.^[17]


Edward Germano died in 2003 and The Hit Factory closed its main headquarters in 2005.^[18] Contrary to reports in the media that the studios in New York City were shuttered due to the advancement of home digital recording,^[19] the building at 421 West 54th was sold for estate planning purposes.^[5]


In 2008, Troy Germano, completed Germano Studios in Noho. Germano Studios changed its name to The Hit Factory in 2023 and is now the only "The Hit Factory" recording studio in the world. Notable albums recorded at this location 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, "That's What They All Say" by Jack Harlow, "DAMN." by Kendrick Lamar, "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga, "21" by Adele, "Blonde" by Frank Ocean, "Yeezus" by Kanye West, "Uptown Special" by Mark Ronson, "Love in the Future" by John Legend, "Queen" by Nicki Minaj, "Luv Is Rage 2" by Lil Uzi Vert, "Time Clocks" by Joe Bonamassa, "Unvarnished" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, "My World 2.0" by Justin Bieber, "Anti" by Rihanna, "4" by Beyoncé, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" by Mariah Carey, and "Clapton" by Eric Clapton.