Legacy: The "Little Mountain" DNA
Founded in 1989 by Robert Darch, HippoSonic resides on the hallowed grounds of the former Little Mountain Sound Studios at 201 West 7th Avenue. This facility is the architectural "Abbey Road" of Vancouver, where global hard rock anthems by Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Metallica, and AC/DC were forged in the 1980s and 90s.
Technical Supremacy
HippoSonic is one of the last "Big Room" studios in Western Canada. Its flagship Studio A features a 22-foot ceiling and is anchored by a Solid State Logic 4048G+ console with custom "Black" E-series EQs. It also maintains a Studer A-800 Mk3 tape machine (maintained by legend John Vrtacic), offering true analogue fidelity in a digital age.
2025 Highlight: "Redemption"
In 2025, the studio hosted the recording of Rick Hughes' album Redemption. Produced by John Webster, the project reunited the legendary rhythm section of Ozzy Osbourne's 1982 band, Brad Gillis, Rudy Sarzo, and Tommy Aldridge, proving the studio remains a destination for heritage rock acts seeking authentic room acoustics.