St. Louis has no lack of high-priced, über-fancy recording studios or DIY basements with ProTools rigs. Until Firebrand Recording opened its doors in 2006, the lack of middle ground led legions of artists on pilgrimages out of town in order to realize their aural visions in an economical manner. Owners Brian Scheffer and Nelson Jones have done their part to fill this void — and save local bands some gas money — by crafting a space reminiscent of the affordable-yet-professional studios of Chicago. Firebrand is an audio haven rich with industry-standard gear in both digital and analog realms, brought into focus by its proprietors. Scheffer and Jones have proven themselves as sharp-skilled engineers, borrowing appropriately from the sonic documentary approach of Windy City legend Steve Albini, wherein great bands sound great and not-so-great bands sound decent. Considering the awesomeness of its clientele — fist-pumping punks the Humanoids, dreamy pop-rockers the Blind Eyes, fusion-metal wizards Lye by Mistake — Firebird's portfolio speaks loudly and honestly for itself.