Our Team

The Vault has always been in the making. In 1988, Bob started his first recording studio, “Alternative Studios” in his mother’s garage. He worked his way through college engineering and producing local Pittsburgh bands. After graduating from Robert Morris University with a business degree, he pursued a 28 year career with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, ultimately retiring as Managing Partner – but always followed his passion and continued to play, write and record music.

Inspired by their love of music, Bob, his wife Dana and their two sons Ryan and Brett embarked on a journey to create something more than just a recording studio. They envisioned a new and vibrant space were musicians of all kinds could connect, co-create, record and promote their music.

They purchased the old bank building on Neville Island and hired Los Angeles based Yanchar Design and Consulting Group, a premier design firm specializing in the design of high-end recording and post-production facilities.

In 2016 construction was complete and The Vault was born. With the addition of Jimmy Hoyson, the acquisition of the Neve 8058 and Bob’s retirement from PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Vault began operating commercially in 2018.

We are now positioned to fully pursue our ultimate vision for The Vault.

After graduating from The University of Pittsburgh, Hoyson moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. With little more than his guitarand $100 in his pocket, he stayed with a friend in LA, where he was ultimately introduced to the owner of The Village Recording, who liked his tenacity and soon offered Hoyson an entry-level position.

Day one at Village Studios, he found himself in the editing room with David Byrne finishing the opening of True Stories. His hard work, easy demeanor and impeccable ear elevated him from getting coffee for artists to working in the studio at Village, 7th Level, Signet Studios and Capital Studios.

His clients continue to be an endless list of renowned and upcoming artists. From Warrant, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Jackson, Iggy Pop and Green Day to Lou Reed, Eric Clapton and B.B. King. In addition, he has extensive experience working on film and television scores, 7th Heaven, Ugly Betty, 8 Simple Rules, The Wedding Singer, Ace Ventura and Walk the Line to name a few. Hoyson returned to his native Pittsburgh as Chief Engineer at The Vault Recording Studio and travels internationally as a freelance producer.

A frequent and familiar face to everyone at The Vault, Dana is involved with many of the operational aspects of the studio as well as leading our efforts with The Rhythm19 Fund.

While focusing principally as a music educator at Mt Lebanon High School, Brett is also a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and recording artist. In addition to writing and recording his own work, he has written, arranged and performed as a session player for a number of Vault artists. He also assists in managing our efforts at The Rhythm19 Fund.

Rob Deaner, veteran composer, producer, engineer, and sound designer has decades of experience making music in Pittsburgh, New York, and Nashville. He has spent the better part of the last two decades producing bands and working with advertising agencies, corporations and film productions, creating soundscapes and compositions. Previously running both Market Street Sound and Contagious Music, Deaner has now re-branded his firm as V6 Music + Post, which is now located in Studio B at The Vault.

A Pittsburgh native, Brian is a guitarist and recording engineer. He has an intimate knowledge of the studio, mics, patch-bay and signal flow. Since 2018, he has assisted all of our engineers and producers across a wide range and sessions, and leads his own projects as engineer across multiple genre.

After signing his first record label deal at the tender age of 17, as a guitarist and writer with legendary thrash metal band MACE, Dave set his sights on the production and engineering side of the music business, where he was engineer for legendary producer Rick Parashar, at London Bridge Studios, Seattle, where he engineered Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Candlebox, to name a few.

Now living in Pittsburgh, Dave is available as a Producer and Engineer at the Vault Recording Studios.

Hailing from Detroit, Greg cut his teeth under the tutelage of Motown legends. He arrived in Pittsburgh in 2015 after decades living in New York and Los Angeles.

A lifelong record maker, Greg’s storied history was created in the classic studios of NY, LA, Nashville, London, Belgium and beyond.

His discography includes a diverse range of heavy music styles such as Greta Van Fleet, Halestorm, The Wolf Bros, Rival Sons, Triggerfinger, Jet, Oasis, Slayer, Slipknot, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and System of a Down.

Greg is thrilled to be a part of The Vault family…

He is readily available to record and mix at THE awesome VAULT.

A Pittsburgh native, Rocky began his musical career after graduating from CAPA – Creative and performing arts school. He has a longer career as a performing artist with bands Torn n’ Frayed, The Dirty Charms and most recently The Borstal Boys on The Vault Records, where is also co-produced several albums.