Fever Recording and Clear Lake Recording Studios in Burbank, CA, have earned a reputation as one of the most artist-friendly, technically advanced, and vibe-rich facilities in the Los Angeles area. Behind the scenes is Eric Milos, owner and head engineer, who brings a passion for both technical precision and creative comfort to every project that walks through the door. With Dolby-certified Atmos mixing rooms, 24-hour lockouts, and a fully trained support staff, Fever/CLR is built to meet the needs of everyone from major label acts to indie producers.
Music Connection sat down with Milos to talk about the evolution of the studio, the growing demand for spatial audio, and why creating a great vibe is just as important as having great gear.
Clear Lake has been around for a while. How has the studio evolved into what it is today under your direction?
Milos: Clear Lake started out as a go-to rock and metal room in the ‘80s, known for tracking big bands and label projects. By the ‘90s and 2000s, it became known as a great, accessible space for artists who wanted major studio results without spending their whole budget in Hollywood. When I took over in 2012, I renovated the facility but stayed true to that mission: deliver top-tier results, amazing rooms, and a smooth client experience—at a price point that makes sense for independent artists.
I came up through Henson Recording Studios, so I saw what a truly professional operation looked like from the inside.
Atmos mixing is now a big part of your offering. What sets your Atmos room apart from others in L.A.?
Milos: We built a Dolby-certified 9.1.4 Atmos mix room with PMC monitors, the industry standard for immersive audio. Dolby came out and tuned the room to their spec, including the loudness curve and frequency response. That certification ensures what you hear in our room will translate to Apple Music, Tidal, and other platforms exactly as intended.
Atmos isn’t just about having effects flying around your head. It’s about immersion—placing the listener inside a fully dimensional soundstage.
For artists or producers preparing to mix in Atmos, what should they know?
Milos: The easiest and most effective way to prep is to finish your stereo mix and then print stems—usually by instrument group—and send those in a prepped Pro Tools session or as consolidated audio files. That gives us the flexibility to place elements in the Atmos field.
Sending over a full stereo session can work, but it’s less efficient for immersive mixing. A stem-based approach lets us translate your vision while making full use of the 3D space.
Have you noticed changes in the types of artists or genres using the Atmos room?
Milos: Absolutely. It’s not just pop and film scores anymore. Hip-hop, R&B, even indie rock artists are embracing it. We’ve done sessions where the original track was just a two-track beat and vocals, and it still benefits from Atmos—reverbs, backgrounds, FX, all become part of the immersive field. It’s not about changing your sound—it’s about enhancing the listener’s connection to it.
What gear and features should visiting engineers or producers be excited about?
Milos: Definitely the PMC speaker setup and Dolby certification, but beyond that, the room is just dialed. It’s transparent, accurate, and consistent. Engineers love that what they hear here will translate everywhere. We also make it easy to walk in and get started—no time wasted troubleshooting.
The studio isn’t just technically dialed — it looks beautiful too. A lot of Atmos rooms are built like post-production suites: sterile and uninspired. With Studio B, we took a different approach. We put real thought into the visual impact, blending art deco design elements with curated furnishings to create a space that’s both functional and creatively inspiring.
It’s also fully equipped for stereo mixing, vocal overdubs, and production sessions, making it a versatile environment no matter what format you’re working in.
Client service is something you emphasize heavily. How does that play into the experience?
Milos: We’re not a room-rental operation, we’re a full-service studio. Everyone on our team is trained in-house and understands how to maintain our standards. When you book a session, we prepare in advance, coordinate with your team, and make sure everything works before you even walk in the door.
Let’s talk about your lockout rooms. What kind of clients do they attract, and what makes them special?
Milos: Our lockout rooms are used by mixing engineers, producers, composers, podcasters—you name it. They offer 24-hour access, independent HVAC, and a professional atmosphere where you can work uninterrupted. You can customize the gear and the workflow but still have access to our techs and staff if you need support.
Plus, bringing a client into a commercial facility says a lot about where you’re at in your career. It elevates your brand and gives your clients confidence.
Looking forward, how do you see Fever and Clear Lake continuing to evolve with spatial audio and immersive production?
Milos: Apple is all-in on spatial audio, and if you want your music to be featured on their playlists, it’s becoming essential to have an Atmos mix. We’re seeing that trend accelerate, and we’re making it easier for our clients to adapt to it—from mixing and delivery to file formatting and tech support. We’re going to keep expanding in that space. That means staying on top of gear, certification, and engineering standards while still maintaining a great vibe and customer-first approach.
How would you describe the overall vibe of Fever and Clear Lake to someone who’s never been there?
Milos: We’re pro, but relaxed. We care about the gear, the acoustics, and the specs—but we also care about the people and the process. It’s not a cold, clinical space. It’s a place where people feel welcome and inspired. You walk in, and we’ve got everything ready, the energy is right, and you’re free to just focus on the music. Our philosophy is simple: provide great sound, great service, and great vibes.
For more information or to book a session, visit clearlakerecordingstudios.com or call 818-762-0707
