Jerry M. Soto: 1952 - 2005
By Steve Forstneger
Editor’s note: This is a reprint of October 2002’s “Studiophile” in memory of Jerry Soto, who passed unexpectedly on August 23rd. Soto was a prized friend and loyal customer of the Illinois Entertainer for 23 years. Rest in peace, Jerry.
Studios are not all alike. If you were to make an easy comparison, think of them as bars. They all serve the same function, but there are different beers on tap, themes and floor plans vary, and most importantly they’re the vision of the owner.
Take, for instance, Jerry Soto’s establishment, Soto Sound Studio (800 E. Northwest Hwy, Palatine). Like any other proprietor in the country, he could conceivably dazzle you with his vast knowledge of vintage gear, his perfect pitch, and reel off a salvo of technical sentences full of acronyms and numbers that would cause a mechanic or a computer programmer to start to shudder. But, to him, that’s missing the point.
“I see all these ads with all this gear,” Soto says, “this vintage gear ‘tube this, that, and that,’ yeah, but what about the guy behind the board? I’m not selling my gear, even though I advertise what I have, I’m selling myself. Whether it be engineer or music producer — I just help people in any way that I can.”
An accomplished musician in his own right, when he details his past, there’s a prominent feeling that Soto has always known that he would be involved in recording. Like most studio personnel, he began his music career in bands, but after awhile started to haul around his four-track recorder around with him.
“One band had a songwriter/vocalist that wanted to work on original songs, and I had a knack for putting music to lyrics,” he remembers. “Thank God he had some sense of musical structure that was easy to follow, so I put the music to his lyrics — playing guitar and keyboards — on the four-track and mixed it down along with a Univox drum machine, before there were drum machines, and brought it back to the band. Nothing really came of that, but that was the beginning of me putting music to lyrics, which is my forté.”
Upon moving from San Diego to Evanston in the ’70s, he got the idea to open up his own place — with essentially just the four-track — and offered bands the opportunity to record themselves for the unbelievably economical price of $15 per hour. His bargain basement, nobody-beats-our-prices approach landed him the cherry publicity of a Channel 5 news report and the discovery of a career. For the record, the reporter who found him, Jill Doherty, now works for CNN.
“At that time I was hiring Bill Dickens, I think he’s with the Buddha Band, and Frank Donaldson, at that time they were playing with Ramsey Lewis,” he says. “I got them for $20 each for a couple hours of their time to put drums and bass down. Nowadays I do everything MIDI and I do my own bass. If it’s a country or a rock tune I might get a drummer to overdub real drums on it.” He prides himself on having ventured out of the guitar-bass-drums realm and consistently handles hip-hop, rap, R&B, country, rock, a little bit of jazz, gospel, and singer-songwriters.
“I have a knack,” he continues, “of showing musicians and songwriters how to better their material, be it through engineering or repairs on their material, or sitting in on an instrument or two, playing and producing all the music myself from start to finish in any pop style.”
Soto also has a knack for relying on himself more than technology and a slight aversion to ProTools.
“A Mackie system is what I have. Everybody’s going ProTools, but you know what I hate about ProTools? It’s the fact that they gouge my brethren, my fellow engineers with that price,” he says. “I could think of better things to do with $30-50,000. I use the DAB, and the HDR2496 and it’s so easy to use, I didn’t even crack the manual. It was like, ‘if I push this button, it should do this,’ and it does. It’s 15 grand for the package, and now Mackie has all this stuff now to go with it. People think I’m a genius and it’s so easy with copying and pasting.”
Those already familiar with Soto should note that he moved out of his former city digs at Grand and Halsted streets, and settled into a more comfortable locale at the former Danford Lane studios in Palatine.
“I was sort of hoping and wishing and praying to see a better day,” he explains. “I was on Grand and Halsted for 12 years and I needed more space. One day I called my friend Don Griffin, he used to run Danford Lane, because he had the same equipment I had, Mackie, so we would call each other and talk shop. One day I said, ‘Hey Don, what’re you doin’?’ He said, ‘I’m moving.’ My jaw just dropped. I said, ‘Give me the landlord’s phone number.’ So he did, after about a month of getting things together and negotiating with the landlord whom had to answer to a corporate office, finally got the place. I didn’t even know if I had a chance. Just being persistent and keeping on top of things.”
Soto fell in love with the room, which just happened to have been designed by Carl Yanchar, who set up studios for Kenny Rogers, jazz guitarist George Benson, and even some of the rooms at Chicago Recording Studio (CRC). “The rooms are acoustically tuned, a nice large live room, there’s carpet on half for more of a dead sound, wood on half for more of a live sound. There’s a marble vocal booth, everything’s all wired, it was pretty much plug-and-play when I got here.
“I’ve never won anything,” Soto says, “I finally got my piece of heaven on earth.”
At GRAVITY STUDIOS in Chicago, Dashboard Confessional (Vagrant Records) spent three days in Studio A rehearsing and working on new songs for Lollapalloza with Brian Bavido at the boards . . . Manny Sanchez and Kevin Browning finished mixing the new Umphrey’s McGee album for SCI Fidelity . . . Blacktop Mourning recorded and mixed an EP with Mark Berlin. George Balogi provided additional engineering on the project; Doug McBride mastered . . . McBride also mixed and mastered the new album for G Bot . . . Cats & Jammers finished a full length with the band producing and engineering, additional engineering by Berlin. McBride mixed and mastered the album . . . Balogi engineered and mixed the new project by Below as well as two songs for Pontius.
At UP ON THE ROOF RECORDING in Lombard, The Stone Shepherds and V4 did demo work . . . Singer-songwriter Jennifer Lloyd finished her EP . . . Owner Mark Blas collaborated with Irish tenor Gavin Coyle and world-touring violinist/Shania Twain fiddler Roddy Chiong on a track for Blas’ publishing catalog . . . Blas also finished projects for Mitch And The Polecats.
At PLANET10STUDIOS in Barrington, Sleeping Shelby is finishing their debut full-length, Pepper Rd. The 12-song effort will be available in early October — produced and engineered by Jimmy Johnson and Chris Huebner and mastered by Harry Brotman of Harry’s Sonic Bistro . . . Keyboardist extraordinaire Frank Lucas finished his latest progressive rock full length, entitled L.W.E., with Chuck White on drums, Steve Edsey on bass, and guest violinist Edgar Gabriel of Cirque du Soleil. Johnson engineered and co-produced with Lucas, mastering by Brotman . . . Funk/jazz killers Doppler Shift completed their debut full-length Duck Phone Records CD with Johnson engineering and co-producing . . . Singer-songwriter Blake Alexander worked on a acoustic rock full length due out later this year . . . Ska/punk band Law Abiding Citizens worked on a full length . . . Blues guitarist Ben Abney completed a three-song EP . . . Johnson provided original compositions for Epic Sports TV.
At ARS STUDIOS in Alsip, Larry Schara mixed and mastered various tracks on the latest Slum Village album; B.R. Gunna produced. The self-titled album will be released October 25th on Barak Records.
At RENWOOD MESSENGER RECORDING STUDIOS in Kenosha, WI, Give My Regards tracked and mixed their new CD . . . Bishop Joe Simon mixed tracks for his upcoming Parliament Records release . . . The Tremper Golden Strings as well as Larry Zarletti put finishing touches on Christmas records due out in November.
At THE I.V. LAB in Chicago, Matt Walker (Billy Corgan) embarked on the first recording sessions for his new project, Army Of Lights . . . The new studio, owned by Manny Sanchez, also hosted Cody Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), who recorded tracks for an upcoming Dixie Hustler record with producer Aaron Julison; Sanchez engineered.
Tags:Monthly Studiophile
on October 3rd, 2005 at 3:23 pm
I just tried to call Jerry to set up a session, we’ve been recording for almost 20 years now. I couldn’t get through to the studio. It’s been some months since we last did a project and I was gearing up for a new one. At one point I would see him every wednesday on Grand in Chicago, the Palatine studio was a dream come true. I found out that he has passed and I feel very painful and hurt..
on October 4th, 2005 at 11:21 am
Dragonflyred did our first demo at Jerry’s, and it was the best !!! He was very helpful with ideas which helped us a lot! We decided to finally make an album, so i called jerry and we set up some time. A short while after the other guitar player called and said Jerry was gone!!! We were crushed!!! He was a good friend!!!
on October 5th, 2005 at 2:57 pm
Jerry was a true gentleman & a musical mastermind. I was able to record a song I wrote with Jerry producing and engineering. We finished the entire song in three hours. I will miss Jerry greatly.
on October 31st, 2005 at 11:50 am
Minus One will mis Jerry dearly. His help and persistance was unbelivable. His attention to detail was overwhelming. He helped my band in a time when we had no money and no idea of what we were doing. I remember watching him mix three songs at once, his hands flaling about working two different controll bords, sliding his chair from one end of the room to the other and all the while be laughing about what just happened on Saturday Night Live as he’s waching the TV above his controlls! Just an amazing man. Our thoughts are with his family in this very sad, sad time.
on November 18th, 2005 at 4:35 pm
To Jerry:
From the members of Son Sound and Son Light Ministries….
If only every up and coming artist had you as their engineer and friend, making a recording would be like heaven. We look forward to seeing you there!
on November 19th, 2005 at 9:17 am
Thank You Jerry, you were a true professional musician and friend.
on December 11th, 2005 at 10:23 pm
Jerry - You were the best. We miss you.
on December 18th, 2005 at 8:42 pm
Jerry, I have had to go on and finish our project alone, but yes I am doing it, not exactly the way WE would have, but it’s finished and you are “all over it.” Thank you for loving me as you did. Thank you for letting me glean from your fearless creativity. I dedicate the album to you, my “Studio Man.” I am “forever changed because you came into my life.”
With deepest affection and love,
Lezlee
on January 7th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
We were together 14 years. You changed my life significantly. I will never forget you. I still can’t believe you’re gone, because there was no real closure to our relationship, despite what anyone says, I know you loved me deeply, just as I loved you. We moved the studio to Palatine. Your dream studio. I’m happy you were able to realize it. Your mommie, daddy. You looked cute in that picture I took of you. Glad I asked you to turn your hat around backwards. Thank you Illinois Entertainer.:)
Lesa Lee
on January 13th, 2006 at 9:06 am
I just found out last nite that Jerry passed away. My band “Nines” has recorded 2 CD’s over the past two years and Jerry was the reason they sound great. I was looking forward to another this year. Jerry was a person that would put you at ease with his wit, then impress you with his talents. He used a great line when I would get a bit, well…informative: “STOP TALKING”.
I really miss ya……..by Jerry
on February 1st, 2006 at 10:45 pm
Jerry,
You are greatly missed. I am also glad you finally started traveling, dating and enjoying life. I pray you were finally happy and got the best of everything, you deserved the best! you still motivate and inspire those who loved you most. I love you!! Rest…
on February 21st, 2006 at 10:24 am
Jerry was one of the few loyal friends to 2 of my groups. He recorded 2 of my past projects and Poured not only proffessionalism but heart, soul and passion into his every move. His genuiness and compassion always left us staggering. Jerry Soto, Rest in peace my fellow Brother.
-Bryan Javor
on February 21st, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Jerry was a light at the end of a dark tunnel. With so many seedy recording studios around putting out sub pair work Soto Sound was the exception. His wit and personality made the recording process so much less stressful, and so much more enjoyable. The first recording that I ever did was done at his palatine studio, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The music community will mourn his passing.
on April 9th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
We recoreded our DEMO at Soto Sound Studio about a year and a half ago. I know this is late but Jerry was a great guy and was very helpful in giving us ideas for our DEMO and my band was looking to record there again and just found out he passed. You will be missed man. Thanks.
on September 8th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Jerry was a great man with great intuition for genre, style, and sound. He had a great studio and produced some really great material. His influence and knowledge was vast and helpful. He will be missed and never forgotten by anyone who has/had worked with him or even merely known how great of a person he was.
We had some great times working with him and we are saddened to hear of his passing. The music world has lost a great person.
- All Else Fails
on September 25th, 2006 at 10:30 pm
Jerry had the patience of a Kindergarten teacher.
During my days as a drummer for the latin band Carmesi, we recorded our first album and last at his studio in Chicago. He was very kind and very patient, he had the ears psycho-therapist, the disposition of a teacher and the soul of an artist.
I owe a lot to Jerry. Because of him, the metronome became a very good friend.
The world will miss a great teacher.
Leo Pena
on October 21st, 2006 at 1:10 am
I have fond memories of Jerry.
My dear and talented friend, C.J., a founding member of the very talented Mythic Figs, http://www.mythicfigs.org, recorded at Soto Sound and I have will always cherish those memories.
Thank you Jerry, I am sure you are mixing sweet sounds in heaven.
on October 21st, 2006 at 1:10 am
I have fond memories of Jerry.
My dear and talented friend, C.J., a founding member of the very talented Mythic Figs, http://www.mythicfigs.org, recorded at Soto Sound and I have will always cherish those memories.
Thank you Jerry, I am sure you are mixing sweet sounds in heaven.
on November 24th, 2006 at 1:47 am
WOW … I recorded my first demo as a solo artist about 15years ago with Jerry at his studio on Grand after recording there as a back up vocalist for dance artist Rick Beech. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing and Jerry was soo sweet to me and encouraged me and made me comfortable as he really got the best out of me. WOW those notes I hit back then LOL — and Jerry kept saying “can’t you sing higher??? I thought you could sing higher then that? — I think you can do it” Since then I’ve not been able to find a local engineer/producer that made me feel as comfortable and as ease as Jerry did. In fact I only found this posting while searching the internet for Jerry’s studio because I wanted my new band to record there. I’m very sadden by the news because eventhough I haven’t seen him in over 10 years he represents a special key memory of my past and I think of him in a stange way as a dear friend.
Jerry — you ARE the BEST !!! It’s turely sad that you’re gone.
-Tracy Tyler Mohr
on December 27th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Jerry–
Upon learning of your passing, I was moved to tears.
You saw me–you heard me. You put me to music.
I will forever cherish all my studio time with you and feel confident you will be the angel behind my certain success.
Say hi to Jimmy for me
Love, Mary
on January 27th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Jerry was, like many others on this page my first real producer. He was a great man and great friend. I recorded with two bands well over 10 times with him and no one will ever come close to the soto sound experience. Jerry you will be truly missed. Thanks for driving way out of you way to show your support at many of my shows. That just shows the type of man you were.
~R~
on February 10th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I was just thinking about Jerry Soto and did a search which led me to this site to finally hear about his untimely passing. I recorded a 45 rpm single at his Evanston studio in the late 1980’s. We also used to talk alot at NARAS meetings back when they were open to all members. He had incredible ears and his engineering on my single got the attention of Ken Komisar of Atlantic Records. Before I could secure a deal though, Ken left to an R&B label. Jerry helped a lot of artists progress with their music. Chicago has lost one of the good guys who wasn’t in the business just to make a buck, but because he loved all kinds of music.
on March 12th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Whenever I record i can hear Jerry’s voice saying how’s that, ….you wanna do it over,…. you sounded a little flat that time. ha,ha,ha.
on June 5th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I have many fond memories of recording at Soto Sound Studio in Evanston back in 1986-87. My shop teacher at Lane Tech High School recommended Soto, and I recorded several experimental songs there. It was Soto that introduced me to all the equipment of electronic music production–drum machines, samplers, effects, MIDI sequencing… I remember how cool I thought it was when I came in with my song that just had a simple rock beat, and Soto enhanced it by tapping out drum fills on the Rolland TR707 drum machine. The toms reminded me of the Miami Vice theme, and I thought my song sounded just as professional. I also remember doing a dance song consisting of a simple drum and synth loop, feeling like a million bucks when all the synth parts were played together.
Well, in this day and age, when I get inspired to write a song about some girl I have a crush on, I go to Hinge, but I will always remember Jerry Soto for introducing me to the wonderful world of recording.
on June 14th, 2007 at 3:38 am
My name is Gene Stewart, Recording Artist, and memeber of rock n’ roll hall of fame inductee’s:
“The Legendary Soul Stirrers”.
I was just trying to get back in touch with hope that he can help me finish my album. Jerry help me put together a new music arrangement to ” A Change Is Gonna To Come”, and every where it’s played, the people loved it. I wish to encourage the family at this heavy loaded time. Jerry will surely be missed. “But remember as long as there are people who remembers him, Jerry will never die!!
on June 27th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Dear Jerry,
It’s funny how things happen. I’ve been living in the Southern Ca Desert for 13 years now and last night I met someone and began talking about when I went back to Chicago to produce a couple of commercials with you. You’ve been on my mind and I just found this site. You always had a great ear and supported me always in my creative decisions. You will always be missed and I hope you are around me to guide me.
God bless all of us who got to work with you!
chickie farella
on August 3rd, 2007 at 7:13 am
Hi wonder if anybody can help me I’m trying to track down a group who recorded at SOTO Sound Studio, The Group were called VISIONS OF A NEW WORLD and released a 45 on the NEW WORLD label, whicjh I would gather was there own label. I don’t know when the track was recorded but I woul;d guess sometime between the mid 1970’s and 1980, any help would be appreciated..
on September 9th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
it hurts our hearts to know a dear friend and great producer and engineer is gone and we just now are findingoutso with the seven songs jerry has done for us this will be the complete project for us and will be dedicated in the fondest memory of jerry soto also he will get the same honor and respect at our live show on dec 31 2007 at the condesa del mar thanks jerry we love u!!!!!!!!!!!! from asm records, melvin harris, and enharmonic.
on September 14th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
SO SAD TO HEAR JERRY PASSED AWAY
HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND
I WAS SO LUCKY TO RECORD AT HIS STUDIO ON GRAND AVE
HE PLAY ALL THE MUSIC OVER MY LYRICS
SEE YOU IN HEAVEN.
ROBERTO ESPANA
on September 24th, 2007 at 10:18 am
I was stunned to hear of jerry’s passing. He was a beautiful human being and a big influence in my life. I thank him for his patience and input during our sessions in evanston and on grand and halsted, i will miss him although i know he is now recording the angels in heaven.
on December 9th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
It’s heartwarming to see how a lot of clients and friends are slowly learning of Jerry’s passing, and are coming to this blog to post comments about Jerry and the studio.
A lot of clients he fondly told me about; Jerry had a photo album in the studio; he kept headshot pics in it that clients gave him. I would ask him who they were, and he’d tell me about them and how they came to the studio. Those client that he admired have left messages on this blog.
I know Jerry is happy to know that so many people appreciated him and all that he did to inspire, help and promote artists and musicians in the music industry. He had such a big heart, and was very loving, caring and generous. He was a great man and I will never, EVER forget him!!
It’s funny, some mornings I wake up with him on my mind, and expect him to call any minute, but he shows me he’s here in other ways!
Thank you to everyone for posting on this blog! It means a lot to me, and family that love Jerry!!!
Love Lesa
on January 22nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Does anyone know how to get master tracks from Jerry Soto’s studio? My husband laid down a lot of albums, and when he had tried, somebody told him they were in probate, but I heard his daughter was giving everybody their music. Can anybody put me in the right direction? Jessica@agtproducts.com or lilamishette@yahoo.com. Thank you
Jessica
on January 22nd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I met Jerry 3 years ago when I recorded my first solo CD. He was so wonderful with me - as it was my virgin tour into the recording studio. Many sessions Lesa was there and it made the time go by easier with someone to talk to. My co-producer (who shall remain nameless) almost brought this man to blows and one night I was really scared. Jerry, however, put the whole thing behind him and like the professional he was completed the project. He even played keys on some tracks. I was so shocked when I learned of his passing. Although it has been a few years since his passing I would like to say that we have another musical Angel looking down and I feel so blessed and honored to have known him.
on February 3rd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I AM DEEPLY SADDENED & SHOCKED TO HEAR OF JERRY’S PASSING.I RECORDED A SINGLE THAT GOT ME ON B’96 BACK IN THE NINETY’S WITH JERRY AT HIS OLD STUDIO ON GRAND IN CHICAGO.I NOW HAVE THE LONGEST RUNNING SHOW DOWNTOWN AT THE ITALIAN VILLAGE,THANX TO JERRY’S INCITE AND CONFIDENCE BUILDING PRODUCING TECHNIQUES SO LONG AGO.THE BRIAN SCHYLER TRIO SHALL DEDICATE THIS NEXT YEAR TO HIS EASY GOING MUSICAL GENUIS!
on March 25th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I did my first demo with Jerry, and he spent the time to show me the in’s and out’s of getting it right. I’m so sorry that it took me so long to find out about his passing. I felt that he was a friend, i wish i was a better one than i was. I will miss you and think about often. I hope where ever you are, you are making beautiful music. also thank you for making my first song a success ( THE GIVING TREE)
We will miss you.