Tarpan Studios is owned and operated by Grammy winning Producer, Songwriter, Musician, Performer Narada Michael Walden.  57 #1 HITS!

Called the Motown of Marin, some of the greatest acts in recent history have recorded here.

Built in 1980 by Allen Rice, Mike Stevens, and Robin Yeager.  Originally called Tres Virgos studios it was designed with excessive attention to detail including a floated control room and “screw and Glue” construction (no nails used). The studios construction progress was featured monthly in Mix Magazine and recieved the cover upon its completion. At the time the control room design was revolutionary, artists from all over the world flew in to hear the room including Stevie Wonder.

In 1985 Narada Michael Walden bought the studio and has made it his home base for the last 40 years producing and recording world class Artists and Musicians like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Elton John, Rick James, Curtis Mayfield, Sting and many more.  The Legacy continues today with guest recording artist’s like Carlos Santana booking time and Narada hard at work producing new material.

Tarpan Studios is a full service recording and multi media studio.  We currently offer:

Original Music Production -Vocal Production - Songwriting - Recording - Tracking - Mixing - Mastering - Midi Sequencing- Drum Programming - Composition - Session Musicians - Film Scoring - Artist Development - Music video Production - Photography/ Fashion Shoots - Graphic Design - Album Covers - Multi Media - Motion Graphics Animation - Mobile App Development - Voice Overs - Documentary Film Making

Phone

(415) 485-1999

Location

1925 E Francisco Blvd
Suite L
San Rafael, CA 94901

Endorsed by:

Lobby: 12.5 X 13.8             Studio (Main Room):  25.5 X 16           Control Room: 19.5 X 17              Isolation Room:  7.2 X 7     

staff

Narada Michael Walden

"Among a handful of the most innovative, original and influential artists of our time, Narada Michael Walden’s stature as an authentic musical renaissance man is a matter of record."

Producing Hits for Artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin (including the platinum “Freeway of Love.”), Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Wynonna Judd, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Lionel Ritchie, Lisa Fischer, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck and The Temptations, the EMMY and multi-GRAMMY winner (Producer, Album and Song of The Year) has been at the helm of hit music that spans decades.  His music flows freely from pop, rock and soul, to the rarified realms of jazz, fusion and world music.  Walden was an integral part of introducing Whitney Houston, (producing 6 of her 7 number one hits to break Michael Jackson’s record) and Mega-star Mariah Carey to millions of fans worldwide, producing and writing their breakthrough hits that first brought these divas to the spotlight. Billboard Magazine honored him as one of the Top Ten Producers of all time. More info at www.naradamichaelwalden.com

Jim Reitzel

Tarpan Studios' Head Engineer Jim Reitzel opened his first Recording Studio “Right Soul Studios” in his home soon after he graduated high school in 1985.  His Clients have included Windham Hill Records, MCA Records, Sony Records and Higher Octave Records.  Jim has been working with Narada Michael Walden as Tarpan Studio’s Head Engineer since 2000 and has engineering credits on projects with Narada for numerous A List Stars such as Wynona Judd, The Temptations, James Brown, Carlos Santana, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, just to name a few.

Reitzel also teaches recording to high-school students via music camps and as a volunteer at the Timothy Murphy School for Boys in Oakland.  Jim is the bass player for the Craig Chaquico Band and plays bass and guitar in his own band About Face.

Dave Frazer

A native of Northern California, David earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting from San Francisco State University. David began engineering and mixing Narada’s productions in 1981. Credits began with Angela Bofill and Stacy Lasttisaw and continued through the years to include Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, James Brown, Elton John, Ray Charles, Tevin Campbell, Curtis Mayfield, Steve Winwood, The Temptations, Al Jarreau, Lisa Fischer and Shanice Wilson. David is currently an independent engineer with projects including Anastasia, Sting, Yolanda Adams and Andrea Bocelli. He co- produced, recorded and mixed songs for Stevie Wonder and has received a Grammy for his work on the Santana CD, “Supernatural”. 

Kimrea 

Kimrea is Narada Michael Walden’s Assistant and the Manager of Tarpan Studios.   She has been with the studio since 2004.  She is a multitasking facilitator and a great communicator, helping to keep everything moving and grooving smoothly.

A lifelong musician, singer, songwriter, performer and recording artist herself, Kimrea has strong right brain - left brain skills to balance the administrative with the creative.   She is empathetic to the needs of the Artist while attending to the business aspect of Tarpan Studios and the Music Industry.