Listen to any finished track of music and layers are distinguishable. Perhaps it’s the use of orchestral instruments or the blending of background vocals. Details that make a song finished are created and engineered during the recording process.

While Nashville and Los Angeles may be home to the most elaborate and famous of the sound proof booths and mixing rooms, Salem is home to a few of its own recording studios.

“I’m kind of a James Taylor guy myself,” Kevin McCarthy owner of Cityview Recording said.

The producer–who has his own band, too– opened his space 15 years ago.

Cherry Recording Studio and the recently relocated Bomb Shelter Recording (now housed downtown on 155 Liberty Street under Cherry Redd Clothing) also offer their services to musicians and businesses.

Cityview and Cherry Recording boast 12' foot high vaulted ceilings meant to boost acoustics for the array of equipment used, which includes Apogee hardware, amps, converters, monitors, Shure microphones, instruments, and much more.

“We’re modern– digital and high definition,” McCarthy said.

The only high-definition studio in the area, Cityview’s digital process records at 24 bits versus a traditional CD that only has room for 16.

For those who prefer vintage quality, however, these local studios house analog equipment that allow for recording a less manufactured sound.

“I do love the raw sound, but I have the ability to add more,” McCarthy said. “I need to be able to have every tool.”

McCarthy, who estimates that he spent half a million dollars outfitting his newest West Salem studio that opened on January 30 in 2007, works with artists of various genres. Reflective of the local music scene, he works with a lot of metal bands, but has recorded with country artists and rockers as well.

Local bands Phamous Phaces, Quandry, and Crossing 13th have tuned their new material with the producer.

“We’re kind of a quiet production place here, but they come pouring in,” McCarthy said.

They come from farther than Oregon, too. Perhaps Cityview’s most famous client is Journey’s drummer Deen Castranovo.

“When he came in he went ‘Oh, my God,’” McCarthy said. “A musician from Journey--for his jaw to drop--it was incredible.”

Working with such an array of artists doesn’t leave McCarthy with much time off. Working seven days a week, he finishes between 30 to 40 records per year.

“It’s arduous,” he said.

A music engineer, such as McCarthy, has to edit, mix, and master once recording is finished which is often a bulk of the work.

While some musicians may have their recording studios– like Salem musician Eric Lovre– independent studios often have an unmatchable level of professional equipment and staff that many artists look for.

The Salem band Hollie Pollock along with musicians Kenny Foote and Jesse Elliot turned to Bomb Shelter Recording for their most recent albums.

The struggle for many artists is finding ways to make sure their work is noticed, but like a painting or photograph without a frame, a recording that hasn’t been edited and mastered may likely sound rough around the edges.

With high-end studios right here in Salem, the likes of Los Angeles and Nashville don’t have to seem so far away.

“It’s the best-kept secret in Salem,” McCarthy said.