Local Austin Record Shop Introduces On-Site Post-Production Recording and Mastering Studio
Waterloo Records Moves to Larger Premises in Austin, Texas, Introducing Waterloo Sound
After 35 years at its longtime location on 600 N. Lamar Blvd., Waterloo Records, a staple of Austin's music scene, is moving half a mile away to a larger space at 1105 N. Lamar Blvd. The move, effective August 2025, will allow the store to expand its offerings and introduce Waterloo Sound, an immersive audio, video post-production, and vinyl mastering facility [1][2].
The new facility, built on the Nu•Studio System, is a modular and reconfigurable studio platform developed by Grammy-winning engineer Chad Franscoviak. This system supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, enabling advanced spatial audio production, high-resolution visual playback, remote collaboration, and real-time review [2][3]. One of the few studios in the U.S. to offer both spatial audio post-production and analog vinyl production in one location, Waterloo Sound also includes a vinyl lacquer cutting lathe [2].
The move also brings new ownership involvement. Caren Kelleher, founder of Gold Rush Vinyl, which specializes in pressing records for high-profile artists and creating special gold and platinum-plated memorabilia, and Armadillo Records CEO Trey Watson have joined as co-owners [1]. The expanded premises will feature an onsite café lounge, a rentable podcast studio, and a new section for browsing music memorabilia, including the onsite manufacturing of 24-karat gold- and platinum-plated records [2].
Jon Niess, a mastering engineer and advisor to Nu•Studio, is excited to be a part of the team making Waterloo Sound available to the creative community. Niess has spent considerable time in Nu•Studio's R&D space and attests to the incredible quality of the sound inside the studio [3].
Waterloo Sound officially opens on August 30th at the newly expanded Waterloo Records in Austin. Visitors can relax in a café-style lounge, observe vinyl production processes, and enjoy new music-related memorabilia. Beer, wine, and coffee will be available at the new café [2]. The move promises to enrich the visitor experience by offering unique experiences related to vinyl culture and expanding retail offerings [1][2][3].
[1] Austin360. (2025, January 12). Waterloo Records to move to larger location on North Lamar Blvd. Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved from https://www.statesman.com/entertainmentlife/music/waterloo-records-to-move-to-larger-location-on-north-lamar-blvd-20250112.html
[2] Waterloo Records. (2025, March 15). Waterloo Records Announces Move to Larger Premises and the Introduction of Waterloo Sound. PR Newswire. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/waterloo-records-announces-move-to-larger-premises-and-the-introduction-of-waterloo-sound-301459968.html
[3] Niess, J. (2025, April 20). Inside Waterloo Sound: A New Era for Austin's Music Scene. Austin Monthly. Retrieved from https://www.austinmonthly.com/music/inside-waterloo-sound-a-new-era-for-austins-music-scene/
- With the introduction of Waterloo Sound, the new post-production and vinyl mastering facility, the revamped Waterloo Records is set to offer an immersive audio and visual experience.
- Situated on 1105 N. Lamar Blvd, Waterloo Sound is built on the Nu•Studio System, enabling advanced spatial audio production and high-resolution visual playback.
- The state-of-the-art studio, designed by Grammy-winning engineer Chad Franscoviak, supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, and offers both spatial audio post-production and analog vinyl production under one roof.
- In addition to the studio facilities, Waterloo Sound will feature an onsite café lounge, a rentable podcast studio, and a new section for browsing music memorabilia, including the onsite manufacturing of 24-karat gold- and platinum-plated records.
- Mastering engineer and Nu•Studio advisor, Jon Niess, is thrilled to be part of the team, affirming the incredible quality of audio inside Waterloo Sound.
- Visitors to Waterloo Sound can expect to relax in a café-style lounge, observe vinyl production processes, and enjoy new music-related memorabilia when it opens on August 30th at the expanded Waterloo Records in Austin.
