About Frank Charlton
“For me, it all comes down to the song.” Pretty simple words for a music producer/engineer whose impressive career path could easily give him the rights to loftier claims and a much less humble home base philosophy. But Frank Charlton’s sincerity and loyalty to his work and his passion are exactly the traits that brought him to where he is today.
A Musical Foundation in Cincinnati
After beginning his musical career in Cincinnati with an old guitar in the 6th grade, Frank moved quickly into tech work for local bands, and studying with engineer/producer Ken Lewis, under whose tutelage he earned his first major label credit on the July for Kings album Swim (MCA) at the age of sixteen.
By seventeen, Frank had formed his own music production company/studio called Freeform Productions, and had landed a position engineering remote recordings for the Musical Arts Center in Cincinnati. These early jobs, and the skills he learned doing remote recording helped Frank form the foundation of his record-making philosophy— “it’s the music that makes a record great, not where you make it.”
The Berklee Years & the Formation of Halftone
In 2003, Frank brought Freeform Productions to Boston, where he continued his production and engineering studies at Berklee College of Music. There he met Martin Cooke and worked extensively with him in co-founding Halftone Productions.
Over the next few years, the two tireless workers produced music in their limited free time, helping a cadre of talented local artists create demos and recordings. In their last year at Berklee, Frank and Martin pulled together a studio band for Madi Diaz’s debut album Skin and Bone, rehearsed them, and recorded the album at Steelgrass Ranch studio in Hawaii. After finishing up the album, the duo packed their gear, and set out to bring Halftone Productions to Los Angeles.
A Professional Career in Los Angeles
Now firmly planted in LA, Frank has worked with an impressive list of talented indie artists, and has assisted fellow producer-engineer, Jason Lader, on several major label records including Brandi Carlile’s Give up the Ghost, and Julian Casablancas’ Phrazes for the Young.
Through his work in professional studios such as Longview Farms (MA), The Tracking Room (TN), Sunset Sound (CA), Sound Factory (CA), Henson Recording (CA), and Studio City Sound (CA), Frank has earned the opportunity to work with such industry greats as Rick Rubin, George Massenburg, Don Was, and John Shanks.
Following in the footsteps of his personal heroes, Mitchell Froom and Ethan Johns, Frank has crafted a production style that pushes and inspires the artist to create at the height of their abilities, while staying true to and facilitating the artists’ own goals for the recording. As July For Kings’ Joe Hedges put it, “Frank has that rare combination of a discerning ear and the technical skill and patience to make your vision happen.”
