Mack Emerman opened Criteria in North Miami in 1958, and the building at 1755 NE 149th Street has been recording without a break since. Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, the Bee Gees, Bob Marley and later a long run of hip hop and Latin acts worked here. The Hit Factory took over in 1999, and the complex now runs seven studios plus writing and production rooms, with a staff that covers most genres and keeps the vintage desks and tape machines running alongside current systems.
Handy if you want several rooms working at once, a writer in one, tracking in another, and Miami weather outside. Rates are described as flexible depending on room and block length, which helps mid level projects. Weaknesses: the neighbourhood is suburban North Miami, so nothing is walkable, humidity is hard on old gear and instruments, and the biggest rooms get taken by label sessions during busy seasons.
Address: 1755 NE 149th Street, North Miami, FL 33181
No reviews yet — be the first!