MEET OUR ENGINEERS

Sam Pura

Sam Pura is a defining voice in modern production, engineering, and mixing. Known for his relentless drive and boundary-pushing approach, Sam has shaped breakthrough records by Basement, The Story So Far, State Champs, Hundredth, and The Dangerous Summer. His discography continues to grow with artists who seek bold, emotionally charged, and sonically fearless albums.

At The Panda Studios, every room is tailored to Sam’s refined workflow, blending vintage staples with custom-built tools to deliver a sound you won’t find anywhere else. Working with Sam means entering a focused, high-stakes creative space built to challenge and elevate artists. Every detail of the process is intentional, and nothing less than your best is acceptable. For those ready to push themselves, the process is as rewarding as the final release.

You won’t just leave with a finished record. You’ll leave with a sore throat from screaming takes, a newfound obsession with gear you can’t afford, a questionable amount of Topo Chico in your system, and a new best friend who insists the snare could be hit harder.

Theresa Brown

Theresa Brown is the lead engineer at The Panda Studios and Sam Pura’s right-hand collaborator. Originally from Virginia, she moved to California after falling in love with the records made at Panda and now proudly calls the Bay Area home.

Since joining the studio in 2021, Theresa has become an essential part of the team, earning credits on standout projects like Spiritworld, Spice, and Hundredth. She is also an active vocalist, performing regularly with her choir and dedicating herself to vocal production. Her passion for capturing performances, writing melodies, and arranging harmonies is at the heart of her engineering approach.

Theresa writes and produces her own music at The Panda Studios under her name, playing every instrument herself, including drums. She brings a rare combination of technical skill, musical instinct, and emotional sensitivity to every session. Her presence in the studio is grounding and inspiring, creating an environment where artists feel supported, focused, and ready to deliver their best.

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Charles Toshio

Charles Toshio has been freelancing out of The Panda Studios since 2014, carving out a lane all his own in the Bay Area’s heavy music scene. As the producer behind breakout records from Spy, Sunami, and Scowl, Charles has played a key role in pushing some of the region’s most vital bands to worldwide recognition.

A guitarist himself, Charles brings a raw, modern approach to heavy music production, with a deep love for amps, guitars, and gear that shapes every tone he captures. He’s just as comfortable tracking violent, chaotic hardcore as he is dialing in a thoughtful guitar take for a shoegaze demo. His approach is relaxed, focused, and always artist-first.

Charles brings a fearless, artist-first approach to every session. He isn’t interested in formulas. He’s focused on making records that hit hard, feel real, and leave a mark. His workflow is raw, collaborative, and rooted in mutual respect. Artists walk away feeling heard, pushed, and proud of what they’ve made.

Ryan Palma

Ryan Palma is a seasoned engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer with over 20 years of experience. He built his reputation just across the street at the now-closed Red Wall Studios, where he first connected with Sam and helped bring his clients and projects into the Panda Studios family.

He specializes in Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, Latin, and Singer-Songwriter genres, blending deep musicality with technical precision. His mixes are emotionally rich, sonically clear, and often land in film, television, and major streaming playlists. Ryan also works closely with top-tier mastering engineers to help guide records from early vision to polished final release.

Ryan is involved in many sides of the music industry, from songwriting and production to post-production and artist development. In the studio, he brings patience, empathy, and a calming presence. Whether he's tracking vocals or sitting on the couch having a thoughtful conversation, Ryan creates a space where artists feel supported, focused, and ready to do their best work.

RJ DeMarco

RJ DeMarco is the newest member of The Panda Studios team, bringing over 15 years of engineering experience and a lifetime of musicianship to every session. Originally from Buffalo, he grew up a fan of the studio and is now one of its go-to session musicians and engineers, having performed on and helped shape dozens of Sam’s productions.

A gifted writer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, guitar, bass, and more), RJ is also a seasoned live performer and musical director. His work spans pop rock, alternative, and indie, with a focus on capturing energy, emotion, and clarity in every take and mix.

Whether he’s tracking a band, co-writing, producing, or jumping in on an instrument, RJ brings passion, precision, and a deep love of the craft. He creates a space where artists feel energized, supported, and inspired to make records that are honest, powerful, and uniquely theirs.