Team

Mike BrownPRODUCER/CHIEF ENGINEER/OWNERmike@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me Mike, a Berklee College of Music graduate (’97) with a degree in Music Production and Engineering, has built an impressive career as a producer, engineer, and entrepreneur. After honing his craft as a staff engineer at Buchanan Recording Complex, where he collaborated with regional and national artists across rock, pop, alternative rock, and hip-hop genres, Mike set his sights on a bold vision. In 2003, he turned that vision into reality by founding Lava Room Recording, now Cleveland’s premier recording studio. Over the years, Mike has worked with some of the biggest names in music, recording, producing, and mixing for top Billboard artists like Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin, Social Distortion, Paramore, Three Days Grace, Switchfoot, Velvet Revolver, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, The Ramones, and many more. His ability to deliver world-class production and engineering has positioned Lava Room Recording as a studio capable of rivaling those in New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles. Today, Mike focuses much of his energy on developing emerging talent, guiding artists from preproduction and songwriting to arranging, tracking, mixing, and mastering. This meticulous approach ensures every project meets the highest industry standards, ready for record label consideration. As the owner, producer, and engineer of Lava Room Recording, Mike is a driving force in revitalizing the Cleveland music scene. His passion for quality and commitment to artistry have made him a trusted partner for both established and up-and-coming artists. Contact Me

Mike PfaffPRODUCER/ENGINEERpfaff@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me Raised on a rich basis of classic rock, and growing up listening to the latest in rock music, Mike is well-versed in many shades of the rock spectrum.   Over the course of his musical career, he has been involved in the music scene in Nyack, NY, worked from home, recording small projects, and finally moved on to graduating from Recording Connection. As a current staff engineer at Lava Room Recording, He now has a wide variety of genres under his belt with both local and regional artists, from indie to hip-hop to metal. Contact Me

Sam OsbornPRODUCER/ENGINEERsam@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me Growing up a multi-instrumentalist since the age of nine, Sam is well-versed in genres ranging from punk rock to modern pop and likes to take a hands-on approach to production and songwriting when working with clients.   Sam is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University’s Audio Engineering program (’14). Contact Me

John WalshPRODUCER/ENGINEERjohn@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me John Walsh has been a Producer, Engineer, Technician and professional drummer for over 30 years.   In 1986 he opened the doors to Modern Recording Studios, engineering and producing many local and national acts as well as the live WMMS Coffee break Concerts, working with such acts as Julian Lennon, Kenny Loggins, Los Lobos, Leon Russell, Love Hate, Psychedelic Furs, Kings X, Sarah McLachlin and at least 70 other national acts. Later John joined Buchanan Recording Complex as a producer, engineer and technician. John was also responsible for all Buchanan’s wiring and maintenance which included the SSL 4000G series console which was the first of it’s kind in Northeast Ohio. After leaving Buchanan, John worked as a freelance producer, engineer and technical consultant until he became part of the Lava Room team. Having worked with almost every major label John has and continues to give credibility to the industry. His experience producing and engineering combined with his studio technician expertise has made him an outstanding member of Lava Room Recording. Contact Me

Ryan BarrettPRODUCER/ENGINEERryan@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me Ryan Barrett is an engineer well-versed in Rock and Metal music. He has a passion for working with bands to help them achieve their full potential. Ryan’s musical journey started at age 14, when he started taking guitar lessons at School Of Rock which helped build a healthy foundation of musical knowledge.  He later decided to pursue a career in Audio engineering. After working as an intern at Lava Room Recording, Ryan decided to enroll in the studio’s CSAR program (Cleveland School Of Audio Engineering). This ensured that his education came not only from people with technical knowledge, but also real experience in the music business.  Since then, Ryan has worked on various music projects, podcasts and commercial work for the studio, as well as an integral part of the day to day operations. Contact Me

Sam PoetryPRODUCER/ENGINEERsampoetry@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me Sam Poetry is a Niagara Falls, New York native and has been recording and producing music since the early 90’s. Influenced by what most call the golden era of Hip Hop and R&B, Sam’s approach to producing records is minimalist, mainly using his Akai MPCX while focusing more on getting a great song and performance from the artist.   He gained expertise in production and audio engineering while enrolled in Tri-C’s Recording Arts and Technology program, which led to him producing for Grammy nominated, platinum selling recording artist Raheem DeVaughn. An artist in his own right, Sam released his debut album Poetic Dope in 2018 and has performed to packed crowds throughout the U.S., including the House of Blues in Chicago and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It’s been over 20 years since he began his musical journey and he’s just as passionate now as he was then. Contact Me

Dan CriswellPRODUCER/ENGINEERdan@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me As a Cleveland native, Dan was raised on all types of music from rock, to country, to hip-hop/rap, to pop music. He found himself gravitating towards hip-hop/rap as a young musician, listening to artists like Kanye West, Travis Scott, Post Malone, J. Cole, and many more in the modern music scene.   Dan was introduced to live music at a young age, playing the trumpet throughout his childhood and being surrounded by musicians in his household. He started producing instrumentals in high school for local rap artists and, in the process, found a passion for professional audio. Dan graduated with a degree from Tri-C’s Recording Arts and Technology program and started working as an intern for Lava Room Recording.   Over the years, Dan has worked with artists from Cleveland to Sweden as a freelance engineer and producer. He is no stranger to the modern sound, and he strives to make every recording his best work. Contact Me

Matthew BoltonASSISTANT ENGINEERmike@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me Graduating from Berklee College of Music (’97), with a Bachelors degree in Music Production and Engineering, Mike became a staff Engineer at Buchanan Recording Complex and quickly began producing and engineering regional and national, rock, pop, alternative rock and hip/hop artists. Learning from his experience at Buchanan, Mike set in place the plans for the future opening of Lava Room Recording in 2003 while freelancing as a producer and engineer. Building commenced and Lava Room Recording was open for business quickly working with artists of note. Mike has recorded, produced and mixed for top Billboard artists such as Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin, Social Distortion, Paramore, Three days Grace, Switchfoot, Saves The Day, The Ready Set, A Day To Remember, Garbage, Pussycat Dolls, Velvet Revolver, Bone Thugs and Harmony, The Ramones and many more national and regional artists. Mike now spends most of his production and engineering time developing emerging artists which allows him to take a project from start to finish. Each step of the process is given special attention from preproduction, song writing, arranging, tracking, overdubbing, mixing and mastering. This allows for the highest quality production and engineering which can compete with studios in New York, Nashville and L.A. being able to shop directly to record labels. Building relationships with the national and regional music industry has been an exciting step to the revitalization of the Cleveland music scene. As the owner, producer and engineer of Lava Room Recording, Mike is a visionary striving for the very best quality for every artist he’s been given the opportunity to work with. Contact Me

Greyson DeitzASSISTANT ENGINEERmike@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me Graduating from Berklee College of Music (’97), with a Bachelors degree in Music Production and Engineering, Mike became a staff Engineer at Buchanan Recording Complex and quickly began producing and engineering regional and national, rock, pop, alternative rock and hip/hop artists. Learning from his experience at Buchanan, Mike set in place the plans for the future opening of Lava Room Recording in 2003 while freelancing as a producer and engineer. Building commenced and Lava Room Recording was open for business quickly working with artists of note. Mike has recorded, produced and mixed for top Billboard artists such as Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin, Social Distortion, Paramore, Three days Grace, Switchfoot, Saves The Day, The Ready Set, A Day To Remember, Garbage, Pussycat Dolls, Velvet Revolver, Bone Thugs and Harmony, The Ramones and many more national and regional artists. Mike now spends most of his production and engineering time developing emerging artists which allows him to take a project from start to finish. Each step of the process is given special attention from preproduction, song writing, arranging, tracking, overdubbing, mixing and mastering. This allows for the highest quality production and engineering which can compete with studios in New York, Nashville and L.A. being able to shop directly to record labels. Building relationships with the national and regional music industry has been an exciting step to the revitalization of the Cleveland music scene. As the owner, producer and engineer of Lava Room Recording, Mike is a visionary striving for the very best quality for every artist he’s been given the opportunity to work with. Contact Me

Christian JensenASSISTANT ENGINEERmike@lavaroomrecording.comAbout Me Graduating from Berklee College of Music (’97), with a Bachelors degree in Music Production and Engineering, Mike became a staff Engineer at Buchanan Recording Complex and quickly began producing and engineering regional and national, rock, pop, alternative rock and hip/hop artists. Learning from his experience at Buchanan, Mike set in place the plans for the future opening of Lava Room Recording in 2003 while freelancing as a producer and engineer. Building commenced and Lava Room Recording was open for business quickly working with artists of note. Mike has recorded, produced and mixed for top Billboard artists such as Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin, Social Distortion, Paramore, Three days Grace, Switchfoot, Saves The Day, The Ready Set, A Day To Remember, Garbage, Pussycat Dolls, Velvet Revolver, Bone Thugs and Harmony, The Ramones and many more national and regional artists. Mike now spends most of his production and engineering time developing emerging artists which allows him to take a project from start to finish. Each step of the process is given special attention from preproduction, song writing, arranging, tracking, overdubbing, mixing and mastering. This allows for the highest quality production and engineering which can compete with studios in New York, Nashville and L.A. being able to shop directly to record labels. Building relationships with the national and regional music industry has been an exciting step to the revitalization of the Cleveland music scene. As the owner, producer and engineer of Lava Room Recording, Mike is a visionary striving for the very best quality for every artist he’s been given the opportunity to work with. Contact Me