Tape Project Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ironbut on October 17, 2009, 12:39:25 AM

Title: Residential Recording Studios
Post by: ironbut on October 17, 2009, 12:39:25 AM

This is a favorite web search of mine. The thread down below about the Sony transfer studio made me realize that some of you guys may have never spent an day checking out some of the worlds really amazing studios.
The residential studios are sometimes in some equally fantastic structures so this search also satisfies my interest in architecture and design.
I'll start with some of my fav's from the UK.

Of course this list wouldn't be complete without Abbey Road Studios so I'll start with it.
Man, what a nice web site too!

http://www.abbeyroad.com/

This is the one that started me on these searches a couple of years ago (Pete must just hate to go to work).

http://www.realworldstudios.com/ 

I think this is where all the starving artists must do their recording.

http://www.hookendstudio.com/

I usually enjoy my summers hanging out with Sir George at this one.

http://www.airstudios.com/

I can remember my mom asking me " Why would anyone wanta be a rock-n-roll star? ".

Title: Re: Residential Recording Studios
Post by: Ki Choi on October 17, 2009, 09:30:36 AM

Nice, nice, very nice.

I have never seen the insides of most of these famous places.

It seems most of the mastering rooms are set up for near field listening and even the Abby Road Penthouse is surrounded by five B&W 800Ds in near field.  However, the front three big speakers are just about touching the wall behind them...  It would be ultimate to have a listen in the room and I am sure it will produce proper high fidelity recorded in the source material.  However, I wonder how it would do with audiophile nuances such as depth and imaging, etc. we often seek in a system.

Title: Re: Residential Recording Studios
Post by: Bruce B on October 17, 2009, 01:53:46 PM

Ki...  you would be apalled at what passes for mastering studios these days.

There are people here in Seattle (that actually work for labels) that "master" in their bedrooms with computer speakers.

This has been an endless fight in online mastering forums. I think the best mastering rooms are from Gateway and Sterling...  The key ingredient in mastering rooms (besides the engineer's ears) are the room's acoustics. We spent a ton of money on our acoustics. Rooms are PRICEY$$ and not as sexy as rack of Neve equipment or a Studer A820 in the corner.


Regards,

Title: Re: Residential Recording Studios
Post by: mikel on October 18, 2009, 09:03:43 AM

Chris Huston of Rives Audio wrote an article about "Soundstage; Home verses Studio Control Room" which might be helpful.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/rives.htm (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/rives.htm)

Title: Re: Residential Recording Studios
Post by: ironbut on October 18, 2009, 01:48:02 PM

Excellent article Mike!
I'm sure a more complex, in depth explanation could be written but just a few paragraphs of that one makes short work of the subject.
Thanks for sharing that one!