Built in 2001 from an old sewing factory located in the heart of Union City, NJ (once known as the embroidery capital of the world), studio owners Randy and Amy Crafton, and studio veteran Sal Mormando, founded Kaleidoscope Sound on a simple premise: All music, no attitude.
At Kaleidoscope, you'll meet a talented staff of professionals, all of whom are dedicated to helping you realize your musical dreams. Whether you're recording a major label album or an Indie project, Kaleidoscope's perfect mix of cutting-edge technology and perfectly maintained vintage gear is capable of recording everything from the most intimate singer-songwriters to large bands and complete orchestras.
Just minutes from Manhattan, but a world away from the noise, pressure, attitude and sky-high prices of the city, this state-of-the-art, 2000 square foot, dual-studio facility is home to a 48-channel API Legacy Plus console and an impressive collection of new and vintage microphones (Neumann, Schoeps, AKG, Coles), outboard gear (Neve, Urei, Telefunken, Manley), amps (Gibson, Marshall, Fender, Orange), and various other instruments.
Kaleidoscope is a smart, refreshing alternative to your average studio, a down-to-earth setting where you can get great sounds, and record and mix with total flexibility, all at reasonable prices. Stop by for a tour: we'll supply the coffee.
Randy Crafton
Owner/Engineer/Producer
Producer/Engineer Randy Crafton has recorded and/or produced a wide range of artists including Richie Havens, Dayna Kurtz, The Mingus Big Band, Ray Barretto, John Patitucci, Guy Klucevsek, Ethel, Dave Douglas, Omark Faruk Tekbilek, Steve Gorn, Walter Parks, Glen Velez, Roswell Rudd, Freddy Cole, and Cast Recordings of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. His knowledge and experience with several musical styles enables him to easily communicate with artists, work with each musician as an individual, and capture the sound of each musician?s instrument or idea as they hear them. His extensive knowledge of Pro Tools makes him highly sought after as a very musical and efficient editor. A tireless worker, Randy has earned a reputation for getting the job done, and remaining professional, effective and creative from the beginning to the end of the project. He has also created audio content for toys (Discovery Channel and Hasbro), recorded and edited voice-overs and dialogue for Internet and radio content, and written music for a variety of other uses. As a drummer/percussionist, he has over 100 recording credits to his name, has toured extensively through North America and Europe, has performed on Broadway, and has premiered over 40 works by composers such as John Cage and George Crumb. As an educator, he has held positions at The Juilliard School, The New School, Drummers Collective, and the Berklee College of Music, and has served as the chairman of the World Percussion Committee for the Percussive Arts Society. Kaleidoscope Sound is the realization of his vision for the ideal environment in which to create and record music.
Sal Mormando
Chief Engineer/Tech
After graduating from the Institute of Audio Research in 1992, Sal honed his skills as an Engineer at RPM and Dessau studios, eventually becoming Chief Engineer at IIWII and Kaleidoscope Sound. Earlier in his career, he was an apprentice to Roy Cicala (of Record Plant fame), where he absorbed and integrated many of Roy's considerable talents as an engineer. Sal's album credits include artists such as Three, Billy Squire, Patti Smith, Chavez, Girls Against Boys, King Hell, Toshi Reagon, Ron Carter, Buster Williams, Dayna Kurtz, Richie Havens, Richard Lloyd (of Television), Lou Pallo, and Raphael Cruz's Grammy-nominated album, "A Mano." Sal's quiet and transparent demeanor in the studio has earned the respect of artists and producers alike. Sal's skills as a technician are considerable, and in addition to having wired and set up everything at Kaleidoscope Sound, he bears the unenviable burden of keeping a plethora of vintage and custom gear running smoothly. In short, he stays awake at night thinking of ways to make things work better, so you can sleep comfortably knowing that they will.
Carey Neal
Studio Manager/Assistant Engineer
After graduating from the Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis, Carey went straight into a post-production job at Fallon Worldwide ad agency working on TV and Radio spots for BMW, CITI Bank, Holiday Inn, Buddy Lee (Control Freak), PBS, and United Arlines. The following year, he moved first to New York City, and then to Union City, N.J. to become the studio manager at Kaleidoscope Sound. Carey is the studio's jack-of-all trades: besides his main job as studio manager, Carey also assumes the roles of engineer and musician, and has worked with a wide range of artists such as Dayna Kurtz, Walter Parks, Room Eleven, Stereophonics, Bernard Purdie, Pyeng Threadgill, Benny Lackner Trio, Amber Rhodes, Keith Ward, Will Scott, and many more. He will always go out of his way to ensure that every session runs smoothly, and that every client is well cared for and comfortable. Besides being a nice guy, and having roots in New Jersey, this Minnesotan makes a great cup of coffee.
Karli Maloney
Assistant Engineer
At a very young age, this Engineer/Tech/Vocalist knew that she was destined to be involved in the music industry. Singing and writing her way though grade school in regional choirs, and even performing at Carnegie Hall, Karli soon discovered audio recording; and in 2005 she enrolled in the Recording Arts program at Full Sail University in Florida. After graduating in 2007, Karli moved back to the East Coast where she landed an internship at Kaleidoscope Sound. Under the wings of house engineers Sal Mormando and Randy Crafton, she flourished as a young assistant, and over the span of one year she earned the title of Assistant Engineer, and eventually began engineering her own sessions. As a Tech, she is responsible for basic upkeep and maintenance around the studio, and she also played an integral role in rewiring Kaleidoscope's newly renovated Studio A (including the wiring of the new API Legacy Plus console). While at Kaleidoscope, Karli has worked with the likes of Nick Jonas (Jonas Brothers), Elske (Universal Netherlands), Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), Walter Parks (Soloist, and Guitarist for Richie Havens), and Ian Hendrickson (Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings), and engineers such as Andy Manganello, Isaiah Abolin, Alex Venguer, Scott Lehrer, and Ray Dillard. She has also earned a few background vocal credits for artists such as Dayna Kurtz, Jason Liebman, Kevin Waite, Billie Rainbird, and Sam Sherwin. Karli, a "damn good assistant," is determined to follow the dream she has had since the age of 15, and she continues to learn and grow every day. Karli's solid work ethic and attention to detail have also won her the respect of both artists and engineers as an up-and-coming engineer.
Amy Crafton
Owner/Composer
Multi-instrumentalist and MIDI Studio-specialist Amy Platt Crafton creates original compositions and arrangements for corporate and private clients, in addition to providing MIDI and engineering support in the studio. Her many projects include music and Sound ID's for Discovery Channel, Hasbro Inc., Playskool and Playworld Play Systems, as well as over 100 fully orchestrated scores for Globekids.com. In addition to stand-alone projects, Amy has created numerous horn and string arrangements for various artists including award- winning scores for Universal Netherlands. Using Logic Pro 8, Amy regularly prepares MIDI demos for clients' preliminary approval, and generates scores for the final tracking of live performances.
As a graduate of The Juilliard School, Amy combines her extensive knowledge of western classical music with her passion for jazz and various non-western musical traditions. As an instrumentalist (specializing in clarinets, and saxophones), her performances include Broadway productions "The Lion King" and "Riverdance on Broadway," as well as the New York City Opera National Company, the New World Symphony, the International Touring Company of West Side Story, and Spoleto U.S.A. As an active Yoga enthusiast-when she's not in the studio or the practice room-Amy can often be found standing on her head.
Abby
Dog/Ruff Mix Engineer
Via #123 Bus:(15 minutes from Port Authority)
At Port Authority (41-42nd Streets and 8th Ave. in NYC), go to gate 406 on the 4th floor of the “South” building (basically 41St at 8th Ave.) to catch New Jersey Transit Bus #123. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CURRENT BUS SCHEDULE. You have to buy a ticket before boarding the bus (they do not except cash or coins on the bus). The fare is $3.20 and you can use a credit/debit card or cash to purchase a ticket. Go to the NJ Transit ticket machine located next to the Hudson News Stand, across from gate 401. When purchasing your ticket, you will want to enter Bus # 123 and Zone # 02.
After the bus passes out of the Lincoln Tunnel, and gets onto local roads, it will turn left onto Palisade Ave. (There will be a Post Office on your Right and a Luke Oil gas station and Dunkin' Donuts store on the Left of this intersection.) The bus will continue South on Palisade Ave. After 5 stop-lights, get off at 22nd St. and Palisade Ave. (22nd St. is also called Highpoint Ave). Ask the driver for assistance, as they will not stop at Bus-stop locations if no passengers are waiting to get on or off the bus.
After leaving the bus, walk South 2 blocks (the same direction that the bus was traveling). Turn right onto 20th St. (AKA Monastery Place) and walk two-and-one-half blocks, (walking west, away from the city skyline, toward a huge cathedral). You will cross New York Ave. and Bergenline Ave.
Between the last two buildings on the Right side of 20th street as you face the cathedral, there is a tall iron gate with a purple and yellow #514 at the top. Go through the gate, walk down the alley to the large beige frame building in the back (you will see our Air Conditioning units at the end of the alley and a sign with a big red arrow). Ring the bell to the left of the gray metal door (you should be able to take it from there).
From Kennedy Blvd. (Heading North)
Traveling North on Kennedy Blvd, Turn Right on 18th St.
Go to the very end of 18th St.
Turn Left onto West St.
Turn Right onto Monastery Place/20th St.
On the Left side of the street (after the big brick building on the corner) look for a tall iron gate with a Purple and Yellow #514 at the top. Parking is readily available on 20th St. and on West St. Go through the gate, walk down the alley to the large beige frame building in the back (you will see our Air Conditioning units at the end of the alley and a sign with a big red arrow). Ring the bell to the left of the gray metal door.
Driving from GW Bridge:
From the GW Bridge. (about 30 min.)
After crossing the bridge, follow signs to I-95 South (NJ Turnpike South)
Take Exit 17 - Lincoln Tunnel
After 2.5 miles you will come to another exit for the Lincoln Tunnel. Take this exit.
Pay toll ($1.30) and stay to the left.
Continue to follow signs to the Lincoln Tunnel until getting off at the Kennedy Blvd. Exit on the right lane of the highway.
Go straight, past Kennedy Blvd., and make a Right on Bergenline Ave.
Travel 11 blocks and make a Right on 19th St.
Make your first Right onto West.
Make your first Right onto 20th St. We are 514 on the left side.
(If traveling during rush hour, between 7am-9am or 4pm-7pm you have to follow a different traffic pattern so...)
Pass through 3 stoplights (19th being the second light), following signs to Hoboken. (The Entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel will be on your right.)
At 3rd stoplight, take a Right. There will be a BP gas station on your right and a Malibu Diner at the far corner.
Pass through 1 stop-light (crossing Willow Ave.) go up the hill and over bridge.
At stoplight at top of bridge, facing a large rock wall, Turn Right onto Manhattan Ave.
Pass through stop light for pedestrian walk and continue up hill.
At stop sign, continue straight veering slightly to the left.
At 2nd light, turn left onto 19th St.
At stop-sign, turn Right onto Palisade Ave.
Take immediate left onto 19th St. again.
Pass straight through one stoplight crossing New York Avenue. Pass straight through one stop sign crossing Bergenline Avenue.
At the next stop sign, turn Right onto West Street.
Turn Right onto 20th Street. (Also known as Monastery Place, there is a large cathedral on left.)
On the Left side of the street (after the big brick building on the corner) look for a tall iron gate with a Purple and Yellow #514 at the top. Parking is readily available on 20th st. and on West st. Go through the gate, walk down the alley to the large beige frame building in the back (you will see our Air Conditioning units at the end of the alley and a sign with a big red arrow). Ring the bell to the left of the gray metal door.
If not traveling during Rush hours:
After turning Left onto JFK Blvd. East, take Right at 2nd stop light. (There will be an Exxon Gas station at far corner of intersection.)
Pass through 1 stop light.
At flashing red light and stop sign, turn Right and continue up hill.
At Third traffic light, (Pleasant Ave. being the second), turn Left onto Palisade Ave. (There is a Mobil gas station on right and a Dunkin' Donuts on the Left at this intersection.)
On Palisade Ave., continue straight through six stoplights.
Turn Right onto 19th St. (just after the sixth light).
Pass straight through one stoplight crossing New York Avenue.
Pass straight through one stop sign crossing Bergenline Avenue.
At the next stop sign, turn Right onto West Street.
Turn Right onto 20th Street. (Also known as Monastery Place, there is a large cathedral on left.)
On the Left side of the street (after the big brick building on the corner) look for a tall iron gate with a Purple and Yellow #514 at the top. Parking is readily available on 20th st. and on West st. Go through the gate, walk down the alley to the large beige frame building in the back (you will see our Air Conditioning units at the end of the alley and a sign with a big red arrow). Ring the bell to the left of the gray metal door.
Driving from Midtown using the Lincoln Tunnel:
By Car: (10 minutes from Mid-Town)
Upon exiting Lincoln Tunnel, take the VERY FIRST Exit on Right, following signs to Hoboken.
Turn RIGHT at 2nd stoplight.
(There is a gas station at far left of the intersection).
At the flashing red light (and stop sign), turn RIGHT and continue up hill.
At the Third traffic light (Pleasant Ave. being the second), turn LEFT onto Palisade Ave. (There is a Luk Oil gas station on right at this intersection).
Take Palisade Ave. for six stoplights.
Turn RIGHT onto 19th St. (just after the sixth light).
Stay on 19th for 3 blocks until you reach West St.
Turn RIGHT onto West St.
Turn RIGHT onto 20th St.
(Also known as Monastery Place, there is a large cathedral
on left.)
On the Left side of the street (after the big brick building on the corner) look for a tall iron gate with a Purple and Yellow #514 at the top. Parking is readily available on 20th st. and on West st. Go through the gate, walk down the alley to the large beige frame building in the back (you will see our Air Conditioning units at the end of the alley and a sign with a big red arrow). Ring the bell to the left of the gray metal door.
Driving from Manhattan using the Holland Tunnel:
Start out going WEST on HOLLAND TUNNEL toward PROVOST ST.
Turn RIGHT onto MARIN BLVD.
MARIN BLVD becomes HENDERSON ST.
Turn LEFT onto NEWARK ST/ NEWARK AVE/ CR-636.
Turn RIGHT onto JACKSON ST.
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto PATERSON AVE.
PATERSON AVE becomes PATERSON PLANK RD/ CR-681.
Stay STRAIGHT to go onto S WING VIAD.
S WING VIAD becomes MANHATTAN AVE.
Turn LEFT onto 18TH ST.
Turn RIGHT onto PALISADE AVE/ CR-685.
Turn LEFT onto 19TH ST.
Turn RIGHT onto WEST ST.
Turn RIGHT onto MONASTERY PL/ 20TH ST.
End at 514 Monastery Pl Union City, NJ 07087-3389
On the Left side of the street (after the big brick building on the corner) look for a tall iron gate with a Purple and Yellow #514 at the top. Parking is readily available on 20th st. and on West st. Go through the gate, walk down the alley to the large beige frame building in the back (you will see our Air Conditioning units at the end of the alley and a sign with a big red arrow). Ring the bell to the left of the gray metal door.
Parking is readily available on 20th st.
Driving from Rt. 3 East:
From Route 3 East. (Exit 16E from I-95, NJ Turnpike)
Follow signs to Lincoln Tunnel/495
Get off at Kennedy Blvd. Exit
Get in Right lane of exit ramp and turn Right at stop light onto Kennedy Blvd. (there is a Toys R' Us on your right)
Follow Kennedy Blvd. To 18th St.
Turn Left on 18th St.
Continue to the very end of 18th St. and Turn Left onto West. St.
Turn Right on 20th St. (also known as Monastery Place). There is a big cathedral on left.
On the Left side of the street (afterthe big brick building on the corner) look for a tall iron gate with a Purple and Yellow #514 at the top. Parking is readily available on 20th st. and on West st. Go through the gate, walk down the alley to the large beige frame building in the back (you will see our Air Conditioning units at the end of the alley and a sign with a big red arrow). Ring the bell to the left of the gray metal door.
Parking is readily available on 20th st.
