Studio Info
Thanks for choosing to make your next record at The Echo Lab. We hope you are comfortable and happy with your time here. Below should be just about all the information you need in order to have a smooth session.
If you have any questions during your session, please ask either your engineer or the studio manager, Matthew Barnhart: mb@theecholab.com, 214.641.2421.
Directions
Our physical address is:
6395 Private Rd 2604
Argyle, TX 76226
Though you’ll be able to find our general location using Google Maps/Mapquest/GPS, use the following directions to actually locate the studio.
From Denton:
Take US 377/Ft. Worth Drive south from I-35E. Turn left on FM 1830 (aka Country Club Road) at the Texaco station. Follow 4.6 miles, turn left onto Hickory Hill Road. At the stop sign, turn left onto Hilltop Road, following it approximately 1.5 miles. On your left will be two driveways, with a row of mailboxes in between. Take the first driveway (the longer of the two, next to a platform that usually has blue trashcans on it). At the end of the driveway is a red barn – this is the studio, come around the back and come on in. If you go under the railroad overpass and the road dead-ends, you’ve gone too far.
From the south (via Ft. Worth/I-35W):
From I-35W, exit FM 407 (Argyle) and head East (right). The road will eventually dead end. Turn left on FM 1830 (aka Country Club Road) at the Exxon/Mobil station. Follow about 1/2 mile, turn right onto Hickory Hill Road. At the stop sign, turn left onto Hilltop Road, following it approximately 1.5 miles. On your left will be two driveways, with a row of mailboxes in between. Take the first driveway (the longer of the two, next to a platform that usually has blue trashcans on it). At the end of the driveway is a red barn – this is the studio, come around the back and come on in. If you go under the railroad overpass and the road dead-ends, you’ve gone too far.
From the south (via Dallas/I-35E):
Take I-35E North to Denton. About 1 mi north of the Lake Lewisville bridge, exit Swisher Rd and turn left at the light (going vaguely West). Follow Swisher Road for a few miles, looking for the Denton City Limit sign on your right. Exactly 1/3 mi after this sign, on your left, will be Old Alton Rd, which lies at the beginning of a large curve in Swisher Rd. Turn onto Old Alton Rd. (If you pass the Old Alton cemetery and Baptist Church on your left, or the large Guyer High School on your right, you’ve gone too far.) Follow Old Alton Rd. over the bridge, and turn right onto the first road you come to, which is also called (confusingly), Old Alton Rd.
Follow Old Alton Rd. through the canopy of trees, and just past the railroad overpass on your right will be two driveways, with a row of mailboxes in between. Take the second driveway (the longer of the two, next to a platform that usually has blue trashcans on it). At the end of the driveway is a red barn – this is the studio, come around the back and come on in.
Food and Amenities
We have a small kitchenette, with a microwave, single burner, and a medium-sized dorm fridge in the lounge of the studio. You’re free to bring whatever food you’d like to cook during your stay, but keep in mind that there’s not a lot of space available and you’ll be sharing it not only with your bandmates, but also the engineer you’re working with. Because of this, non-perishable items and smaller amounts of perishable items work best. If you plan to bring a lot of beer, it’s best to bring a cooler for it to conserve space in the fridge.
Our client apartment has its own fridge, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc.
Please be sure to clean out your food on your last day at the studio. Even if you’re coming back in two days, the studio will most likely be booked by someone else who needs the space, and your food will either be eaten or thrown out.
There are several options for food within 5 – 15 minutes of the studio, including a few who deliver. Nearby are a number of fast food chains and a couple of grocery stores. Denton has a few excellent restaurants, several grocery stores, and a natural foods store. There are also a few different bars if you’re looking to unwind in public.
Dallas is about 35 – 40 minutes away, and has a number of great dining and entertainment options, so if you’re looking for excellent food, an independent movie, or something else you can’t find in Denton, I’ll gladly make suggestions — just email mb@theecholab.com.