Larrabee Studios Debuts Second Annual Creator Series, Pairing 16 Emerging Artists with Sony Audio and Industry Veterans

Larrabee Sound Studios in North Hollywood announced the launch of its second annual Creator Series, a five‑day mentorship program that brought 16 emerging music creators into the studio’s historic rooms from August 11‑15, 2026. The program, led by 18‑time Grammy‑winning mixing engineer Manny Marroquin and produced in partnership with Sony Corporation’s audio division, gave participants hands‑on studio experience, industry‑level mentorship, and access to Sony’s immersive audio facilities.

The series began with an application window that opened on May 18 and closed on June 26. More than 300 engineers, producers and songwriters applied, representing a wide range of musical styles and backgrounds. From that pool, 16 creators were selected to spend five days inside Larrabee’s state‑of‑the‑art studios, working alongside established professionals.

"The hardest part of breaking into this industry is getting access," Marroquin said. "There are talented creators everywhere who just need the opportunity to be in the room, learn from people who’ve done it, and build real connections. That’s what the Creator Series is about." The program’s structure included daily sessions with guest mentors, collaborative songwriting and recording, and technical workshops.

Participants worked with a roster of high‑profile mentors that included Grammy‑winner H.E.R., songwriter Linda Perry, producer Jeff Gitty, Ricky Reed, Randy Spendlove, Jesse Carmichael, Bruce Flohr, Rex Kudo, Nikki Flores, and Camper. In addition to panels and discussions, Marroquin led a mixing masterclass, while Cheche Alara—a producer, composer and multi‑instrumentalist—guided creators through the process of writing and recording original tracks.

The series also addressed business and legal aspects of the industry. David Silberstein and Haley Evans of Mega House Music spoke about music publishing and building sustainable careers. Jessica Fajfar, Senior Counsel with RafterMarsh US and Director of the CREATE Law Clinic at USF School of Law, led a session on AI and entertainment law, outlining how emerging creators should navigate technology changes in music creation and protection.

Zach Pereyra, a mastering engineer, took participants through the final stages of the recording process at Larrabee, demonstrating the studio’s renowned mixing and mastering suites. Outside the studio, creators dined with Marroquin and industry guests at VERSE LA and at the first dinner hosted at his new restaurant, Mensano, providing informal networking opportunities.

The program’s collaboration with Sony Audio extended the experience beyond Larrabee’s walls. Participants attended a 7.1.4 and 360‑audio listening session produced by Grammy‑winning producer Neff‑U, giving them a firsthand look at how immersive audio is evolving. They also toured Sony Pictures Entertainment mixing facilities and a 360 Reality Audio demonstration at Sony Audio’s Los Angeles hub. A walkthrough of Sony Music Entertainment studio spaces followed.

"Creators are at the center of everything we do," Jun Makino, Vice President of Personal Entertainment Business at Sony Corporation of America, said. "Programs like the Larrabee Studios Creator Series give us an invaluable opportunity to work alongside creators, see firsthand how they make music, and understand what they need as their creative processes evolve. Those relationships and real‑world insights help inform the next generation of tools and workflows we develop to support creators in bringing their ideas to life."

Larrabee Sound Studios, founded in 1969 and now in its 50‑year history, has recorded landmark projects for artists such as Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Madonna, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Adele and Maroon 5. The Creator Series is part of the studio’s ongoing effort to open its doors to the next generation of talent.

Manny Marroquin, whose credits include work with Bruno Mars, The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys and Kanye West, has contributed to more than 40 #1 albums and 12 #1 singles on the Billboard charts. His role as Creator Series founder underscores his commitment to sharing expertise with emerging creators.

The 2026 series concluded with participants leaving Larrabee with new tracks, expanded networks, and a deeper understanding of both the creative and business sides of recorded music. The program’s success demonstrates the value of structured, industry‑led mentorship in bridging the access gap that many emerging creators face.

The Larrabee Studios Creator Series will be announced again next year, with applications expected to open in May 2027.