Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is VSM located?
A: VSM is located in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA.

Q: How does this work?
A: We rent out the space by private, hourly appointments. VSM is primarily an electronic music recording studio and interactive museum



Q: How much does an appointment cost?
A: If you would like to visit or use VSM, we have a few options for you:

  • Interactive Museum Visit:

    this gives you private access to the public collection, to play, take pictures/video, etc..

    $60/hr, plus $20/hr per person added to the appointment

  • DIY Recording Session:

    this gives you private access to the public collection and our audio recording capabilities

    $75/hr, plus $20/hr per person added to the appointment. Two hour minimum. Day rates and weekly rates available.

  • Full Access Recording Session: this gives you private access to the full collection to record as well as a house engineer.

    $125/hr, includes VSM engineer. Day rates and weekly rates available

  • Half-Price 6-Week Session:

    $450 for 2 hours a week for 6 weeks. Spend 2 hours on each of the six 'stations' at the VSM studio. Must bring your own computer and interface or recording tool.

    12 hours for the price of 6 hours, Tuesday evenings from 8pm-10pm, starting February 7th.

  • Monthly Bulk Rates:

    book more than 10 hours, to be used within a month, for a significant discount. Contact for rates.

  • Commercial Photo and Video Shoots:

    Please contact for rates

Q: Can I record the synths, drum machines, sequencers, etc..?
A: Yes. Everything is running into one of six mixers which are routed to a Universal Audio Apollo 16. Our computer is running Logic X, Ableton Live 11, FL Studio and Reaper.
If you would like to use our computer to record, all you need to do is bring a flash drive. You can bring your own laptop to plug directly into our system as well, if you have the UA drivers installed.
If you would prefer to use your own recording interface, we have all of the synths routed to patchbays, so you can tap any of the synths, individually, pre-mixer.
There is a QR code at every mixer. Once scanned, this will bring up a web page that lists what synths are routed to which mixer and patchbay channel, as well as the effects routing and which channels the mixer is routed to on the UA Apollo 16. The manuals for all of the synths are also linked on this page. Links to the mixer pages here:
Mixer 1
Mixer 2
Mixer 3
Mixer 4
Mixer 5
Mixer 6

Q: Do I need to book an appointment in advance?
A: You’re welcome to try to book in last minute, but we can’t guarantee that it won’t already be booked out. That being said, we take appointments from 10am-11pm daily, so there are almost always openings everyday.



Q: Are all of the instruments plugged in?
A: Yes, 95% of the synths, drum machines, samplers, effects, and sequencers are plugged in and ready to play and record, with the exception of a few pieces, which can be accessed when utilizing one of our house engineers.


Q: Can I play the synths, drum machines, sequencers, etc..?
A: Yes. Our main goal is get these amazing instruments into your hands.


Q: Am I cool enough to book an appointment at VSM?
A: Yes you are. You’re an amazing person who deserves the best.


Q: Will there be people there judging my skills?
A: No. You will have the studio to yourself. We’re happy to have people of all backgrounds here to enjoy and explore this magical place.


Q: Can I just stop in and look around?
A: No. Unfortunately, we have to pay to be here, and you’ll have to pay to be here too. If you would like to see the space, we would encourage you to get a group of friends together and book an appointment, or attend one of our workshops or events, or contact us to buy a t-shirt, and pick it up here. We are not supported by any State or National art grants. We are completely dependent on your patronage and participation.