Meet Sylvia!

The unconventional producer, artist, writer, and educator.

Sylvia Massy has been Producing, Engineering and Mixing popular music for decades. She’s renowned for her work with Tool, System of a Down, Johnny Cash and Prince. She’s received over 25 gold and platinum records including awards for her work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sevendust and Tom Petty. She’s also an accomplished fine artist, a published columnist, in-demand educator and relentless entrepreneur. But to her many friends, she’s just Sylvia, the Radiant Being.

Welcome to Sylvia’s world. Thank you for visiting!

Sessions From Heaven

Billy Corgan / Rick Rubin at Sound City

In Studio B at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, Sylvia recorded Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins with Rick Rubin producing. Here is a snippet of that moment in the studio. That is the same Neve 8038 console that followed Sylvia up to her studio formerly in Weed, California.

On The Red Carpet

Sylvia Massy helps young engineers to find their voice

Pensado Awards Show

Chris Johnson and Sylvia hit the red carpet at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica at the Pensado Awards. Jack Joseph Puig interviewed nominees as they entered the awards show. Sylvia was up for the Giant Award, which not-surprisingly went to Al Schmitt. The award was presented by Neil Young. Oh well, there is always next year!!!

Gear Porn

Sound Techniques Modules

SM: I love gear. I've bought and sold so much over the years, every piece has a story to tell. These two modules came from a custom Elektra Records console. Somehow I lost them. Then something incredible happened. For the whole story, go to the "Gear Porn" page!

Tom Tom Magazine

Sylvia Interviews Morgan Doctor

As drummer for Toronto band The Cliks and as a solo artist in her own right, Morgan Doctor is the master of her craft. Sylvia produced The Cliks album for Tommy Boy Records and tested Morgan to find her limits. Read the published conversation Sylvia had with Morgan for Tom Tom Magazine in November of 2013.

Recording Unhinged

Hot Noize

SM: During the Lady Strangelove sessions, we sacrificed an old Hammond organ to the Studio Gods. Visit the "Recording Unhinged" page to see more of the unconventional techniques used to get the most remarkable recordings!

Featured Canvas

Bird Painting Series

SM: These paintings came out of a need to re-invent myself in 2012. My friend Tina Angermeir from Invisible Animals gave me the tools, a box of acrylic paints. My friend Lauren Burke sat me down and made me start. It has changed my view on everything. See more on the "Paintings" page.

Gear Made Of Drugs

Sylvia Massy uses Tone Tubby speakers made from hemp

Tone Tubby

Forget that Marshall - check out the fabulous Tone Tubby cab! The crazy Marin County characters at Tone Tubby make speakers out of hemp and build these sweet, solid cabs that sound crazy beautiful!

Video Addict

Midnight To Twelve

It is all about the coffee in this Folgers-inspired music video based on M212's song "Good Morning Again"! Shot in the old RadioStar Studio C, directed by Sylvia, edited by Ron Carelton.

See this and other Sylvia-produced videos on the "Watch" pages!

Featured Celebrity Pic

SKRILLEX

SM: He was once known as Sonny Moore, leader of the band From First To Last on Epitaph Records. Now he is the Grammy-winning artist Skrillex who wears horn-rimmed glasses and has half a head of hair. I shot this picture while Sonny was in the theater working with infamous producer Ross Robinson. Still all the hair, always extra cool.

Featured Canvas

Eyeball

Sylvia painted this flying eyeball during the Blood Party sessions. It was given to drummer Paul Wilson at the end of the sessions.

Studio Plasma

Coffee Coffee Coffee

SM: So what is left when you've sworn off drugs and alcohol? The answer is drink lots of coffee. Lots and lots and lots of coffee. I take my coffee very seriously. I have big expensive contraptions to make the black oily brew, and a whole bar of flavored syrups. I know where to get the best damn beans in every town. And I have recipes for the most potent Latte's in the land.

Click here to see my whole world of coffee. That's how I get high.

Movie Placement

"Vile" Horror Film

SM: Over-the-top band The Flood, out of Seattle, Washington, got a song we did together placed in this awesome horror movie... in fact in the very last scene, after the bad guy drags a body out of his car, he hears The Flood on the radio and says "I love this song". The track runs over the entire end credits! Congrats to The Flood!

Recording Unhinged

Maynard J. Keenan of Tool

SM: During the recording of Tool's "Undertow" album, we took some liberties with an old piano and a shotgun. After that we got slegehammers. The rest is legendary. Check out the videos on the "Inside The Studio" page.

From The Vault

Ingrid Chavez

SM: "Crystal City Cry" is an unreleased mix track from the Prince sessions. It was one of those coffee-jacked, all-night-type mixes. He was extremely hard to read, but I think His Royal P-Ness really liked it! But not enough for the album... oh well.