“David has great ears, which come into play in both tracking and mixing. He’s also got phenomenal editing skills; I have never met another engineer with such speed and attention to detail. When someone calls me to play on a project, I am always happy if it turns out to be at David’s studio.”– Bill Anschell
David's own musical journey began at the age of five with accordion lessons, and he went on to study music at the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington. He spent several years playing in club bands on the road.
In the early 1970's, a musical revolution was underway with the introduction of the synthesizer, an instrument that promised infinite possibilities. David Lange, a young musician at the time, was captivated by the potential of synthesizers and began experimenting with an E-mu synthesizer. He quickly brought it on the road for gigs, using it for effects or as a unique lead instrument.
As the world of synthesis evolved, David realized that he needed a recording device to fully explore the possibilities of synthesizers. He acquired his first tape recording device and continued his dive into the world of synthesis. Soon, he realized that he needed more gear, such as a console and reverb, to efficiently record and bring the instrument into a real-world space.
David converted his garage in South Tacoma into a full-fledged recording studio, pouring concrete and adding soundproofing, and thus the first iteration of David Lange Studios was born in 1980. Word of mouth quickly spread about David's studio, and musicians from a variety of styles found their way to his garage door. His affiliation with Victory Music, a local singer-songwriter community, led to connections with clients like Michael Tomlinson, whose album "Run This Way Forever" sold over 100,000 copies nationwide. What had originally been built to feed a passion for synthesizers eventually grew into a thriving business.
After several years of recording in the South Tacoma studio, David realized he needed a larger space and eventually found a secluded wooded property in Puyallup. He purchased the property and embarked on years-long construction of the new studio, with guidance from renowned studio designer Russ Berger. In 1990, David Lange Studios moved to its current home, nestled in the trees, and clients started pouring in.
The new studio space, complete with an 8-foot Kawaii Concert Grand Piano, marked an essential enhancement for clientele. David's passion for jazz, which couldn't be accommodated in the smaller South Tacoma studio, found a new home, and jazz musicians from across the Northwest flocked to David Lange Studios.
The 1990's also marked the introduction of new life to the studio: David's son and future collaborator Benjamin Lange was born. A good-natured and steadfast advocate of the mandolin, Benjamin would go on to become an essential recording engineer at the studio.
Today, the studio continues to grow and evolve. From vinyl to cassettes to CDs to digital downloads, Lange Studios has witnessed and adapted to the changing landscape of the music industry. It now offers video shoots and editing services, in addition to its top-of-the-line recording facilities, including an isolation vocal booths and a large room with gobos for drum kits. Clients can expect to be treated with respect, attentiveness, and gentle humor, as David & Benjamin coax out their best performances.
"There is a wonderful sense of quiet space when I walk in to David’s Studio. A world apart, ready to be filled with whatever I bring. Not only is David a great engineer, he is patient and reliable and has a very crisp sense of humor. His grand piano is always in tune and I wish I could make four more CD’s there!"– Ann Stockdale
David's musical journey commenced at the age of five, when he embarked on formal accordion lessons. Delving into the rich tradition of the instrument, he honed his skills and competed in accordion competitions during his teenage years. However, it was at the age of 14 that he stumbled upon jazz, an unexpected but fortuitous encounter. Despite the unconventional pairing of jazz and accordion, fate intervened and led him to Kenny Olendorf, a renowned jazz accordionist who had recently relocated to the Northwest. Under Kenny's mentorship, David delved deeper into jazz while also exploring various other genres of music during his high school years.
Following his high school graduation, David pursued his passion for music by studying at the prestigious University of Puget Sound and subsequently the University of Washington. He then embarked on a five-year stint touring and performing in club bands, immersing himself in the world of music on the road. Along the way, he found himself captivated by the allure of synthesizers, delving into the exciting realm of synthesis and embarking on a winding path that eventually led him to establish his own recording studio.
Despite his focus on the recording studio for the past four decades, David's love for the accordion never waned. In 2007, he found himself coming full circle as he joined the esteemed club band "Pearl Django", reigniting his passion for the accordion. Since then, he has released two solo albums of original accordion music, showcasing his exceptional talent and unwavering commitment to his craft.
“David is one of the best engineers around, and a wonderful guy to work with. I have done many projects in his beautiful studio, both as a musician and a producer. When I produce a project with David as engineer and I hear something that needs to be done, he is usually already doing it before I even tell him! Makes my job easy! I highly recommend his studio and David himself. Top notch!”– Rob Moitoza
“David is one of the best engineers around, and a wonderful guy to work with. I have done many projects in his beautiful studio, both as a musician and a producer. When I produce a project with David as engineer and I hear something that needs to be done, he is usually already doing it before I even tell him! Makes my job easy! I highly recommend his studio and David himself. Top notch!”– Rob Moitoza
From a young age, Benjamin's love for music was evident. He embarked on his musical journey by studying piano at the age of five, but it wasn't long before he discovered a deep passion for stringed instruments, particularly the mandolin, which has remained a constant source of inspiration for him to this day. Although largely self-taught in his day-to-day studies, Benjamin's commitment to honing his skills led him to attend various camps and seminars, including the Wintergrass Youth Academy, the Mandolin Symposium, and the renowned Savanah Music Festival's Acoustic Music Seminar and the Mike Block String Camp during his teenage years.
Driven by his curiosity and creativity, Benjamin delved into the world of music production, experimenting with recording using digital audio workstations such as Garageband, Reaper, and eventually ProTools. His passion for music was unwavering, even as he pursued his studies in Applied Physics at the University of Washington, where he earned his bachelor's degree.
Soon after graduating in 2017, Benjamin joined Lange Studios as an invaluable member of the team. Since then, he has made significant contributions to numerous projects, taking on responsibilities such as tuning, mixing, editing, and serving as lead engineer on several projects. Benjamin's unwavering dedication to his craft and his impressive skill set have made him an integral part of the studio's success.
"A great environment for creativity. Very relaxed and unstuffy, but still totally professional. Excellent equipment and one of the best engineers in the game. I haven’t (yet) recorded my own project there, but I’ve worked with David consistently for over a decade. Can’t say enough about him and his studio."– Haz Araki-Campbell
"A great environment for creativity. Very relaxed and unstuffy, but still totally professional. Excellent equipment and one of the best engineers in the game. I haven’t (yet) recorded my own project there, but I’ve worked with David consistently for over a decade. Can’t say enough about him and his studio."– Haz Araki-Campbell