Recording studio UK; recommendations?

Subject: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: mandotim
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 01:30 PM

We are thinking about recording our duo 'Bit on the Side' early next year. We haven't used a commercial studio before, and we are looking for people with experience to give us a nudge in the right direction. We are based in Leek in Staffordshire, but location isn't the main criterion. Which studio offers;
Folk-friendly expertise?
Works well with acoustic instruments?
Friendly, helpful atmosphere?
Value for money?

We would prefer to use a small, enthusiast run setup if possible.

Thanks in advance
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 02:03 PM

Alistair Gillies AGP studio in Broseley Shropshire,specialises in acoustic recording.
www.agpstudio.co.uk

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 02:23 PM

TRUE STORY - When Len and Barbara Berry were recording their 'Portway Pedlars' cassette , on the final mix they kept asking for the backing instruments to be turned down . Finally , the Engineer said "But that will leave the vocals VERY exposed!" So beware of Non Folkie recording engineers !!

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: GUEST,Fullerton
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 03:28 PM

Try Dead Frog studios, Bickerstaffe.

Dead Frog Studios

He's certainly done plenty of folk music. Including me.

Rural location... sort of..... ( OK ....It's in a converted pigsty )

Lovely granite live room, friendly hard working owner/producer who knows his stuff, negotiable rates & times, (OK ....so he's a freind of mine.)

He got a lovely sound out of my old mandolin. In Stereo. Yummy.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: GUEST,Alan Day
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 03:57 PM

Try Graham Bradshaw,Roots Records based in Coventry,I have had a lot of dealings with Graham recently and I can strongly recommend him.
Al

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 05:46 PM

Well, five very interesting CDs have been recorded in the Penkhull, Stoke-on-trent studios run by some guitarist whose name I can't just remember at the moment.

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 05:47 PM

The name's just come back to me: it's Greg Stephens.

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: treewind
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 05:57 PM

Here's another couple of suggestions:
Park Head (Brian Bedford) Yorkshire
WildGoose (Doug Bailey) Hampshire

Both folkies with recording studios who also do good festival live sound.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: greg stephens
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 06:03 PM

What I would do is have a browse in your own collection of recent UK CDs. Have a critical listen. Do you like what you hear? If the studio did it for them, it can do it for you. The details of the studio will be in the liner notes somewhere.

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: Blowzabella
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 09:02 PM

For folk / acoustic friendly, I could stake my life on Gullwing Studios - run by Brian Gulland - ex Gryphon, currently of New Scorpion Band. He is lovely, completely understands acoustic instruments and is based in Wales!

Please PM me for further info and see http://www.new-scorpon-band.com for further info too

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: Blowzabella
Date: 05 Nov 05 - 09:03 PM

The above should be new-scorpion-band.com   (sorry)

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 06 Nov 05 - 05:50 PM

I swear by Martin Atkinson at MARS studios inBellingdon, Bucks. He recorded my last two, plus Dave Webber/Anni Fentiman, Johnny Collins, Hilary Spencer/Grant Baynham (Quicksilver), Graeme Knights, and - wait for it - he is also Kiri Te Kanawa's favourite soundman. 25+ years on the job, the fist 18 with Decca. Blues, folk, he's done it all. The best "ear" in the business that I know, and a veritable magician with the software. At £40-45/hour he is not as expensive as Angle Studios in Islington (£180/hour for fuck's sake!) but not the cheapest either. But as I said - he is quality personified.

You get what you pay for, as always. Beware: you are not buying studio, you are buying sound engineer. Flash equipment is not the issue, knowing what to do with it is.

If that's too much, you can always talk to me - I recorded my first three, plus Les Sullivan's first album (and about to begin recording his second). If you are interested, PM me

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: treewind
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 04:15 AM

Yes, seconded. Martin is brilliant, and very fast. He's not cheap but you're likely to get more done in an hour of his studio time than in two hours of someone else at half the rate!

Anahata

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 04:34 AM

Email address is for the very professional sound engineer Rob Hanson.
If you need an excellent and intersted recording or sound guy in the Grimsby,North East LIncolnshire area of the UK then this man is your best bet.
He listens to the music and really wants you to get the sound you want
and he is a nice guy.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: mandotim
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 05:51 AM

Thanks to all for your recommendations, we hope to be in touch with some of them soon. (Mind you, after playing an error-strewn gig last night, we might not survive that long!)
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: GUEST,Vic at work
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 06:10 AM

Hi Tim,
Try Roger Wilson. 1st clas folk musician and singer [Wood, Wilson and Carthy; The House Band plus many more as well as solo.]
He also records and may well come to you.
He recorded our CD and we were well impressed.
Talk to me at Bedworth.
Vic from Young no More.

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: Rockhen
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 12:11 PM

I'll second the above comments about Rob Hanson. He definitely does listen carefully to the sound and also takes notice of what sound the performers are asking him to get and then goes all out to deliver.
Plus, I would agree that he is a very approachable and nice bloke who is easy to work with and always gives 100% effort cos he is a true music lover.
I think he has a website but I'll just re paste this unless I find it...
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: Chris Green
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 06:45 PM

Hi Tim

For what it's worth I'd recommend Mark Lee at Blue Moon Studio in Banbury. We recorded our last album there and are in the process of recording the next as we speak. It's also Maart Allcock's first choice studio (nudge nudge!) The rates are unbelievably competitive and Mark is undoubtedly the finest producer I've ever worked with. The link for the website is here!

Hope you and Geoff are well and happy and see you at the mighty Bedduth!

Chris

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: Chris Green
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 06:48 PM

PS - having played on El Greko's forthcoming album, I can also recommend Martin - lovely bloke and bloody efficient too!

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: LesB
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 06:52 PM

Cock Robin Music, Chris Harvey (Pollington), from Strawhead, Mrs Ackroyd Band etc. Chris is based in Croston, nr Preston, Lancs.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: GUEST,John from Tarneybackle
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 03:37 AM

If you fancy heading north, I'd recommend Stuart Duncan at Redbarn Studios, near Dundee - has worked as a folk musician, very professional and amiable guy. The location is on a farm a few hundred yards from the River Tay.

http://www.redbarn.co.uk/


I see your comment about a "difficult" gig. A spell in the studio soon creates a new focus on keeping in time and playing the right notes!!!


Good luck.

JOhn

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: treewind
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 03:53 AM

I should also mention that some well known folkies have recorded at Sunnybank studios in Ripponden, West Yorkshire.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Recording studio UK; recommendations?
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 10 Nov 05 - 05:36 AM

I'd echo LesB here. Cock Robin Music has an impressive catalogue of artists' recordings under its belt. Chris knows how folk music should sound and produces accordingly. He also has sleeve design and printing, and duplicating services to offer as well. MCPS licencing gets sorted as well which can be a minefield.

I'm just about to start recording my 5th CD with him.

Cheers
Mark