www.psneurope.com


December 2012 l 17 UNITED KINGDOM Studio Livingston lives on


Miloco Group wraps up 2012 by giving Livingston a new lease of life, writes Erica Basnicki


LONDON-BASED LIVINGSTON Studios is the latest acquisition by the Miloco Group and, said company MD Nick Young, “It’s probably our biggest step as a business since we took on Orinoco 10-15 years ago. This one is another league in itself as far as history is concerned.” That history dates back in name to the early 1960s and includes legendary artists such as The Clash, Depeche Mode and Björk, who recorded her double-platinum album Debut in its live rooms. Former studio manager, one-time owner and esteemed engineer Jerry Boys mixed Buena Vista Social Club’s eponymous album at Livingston, which went on to become the best-selling world music album ever. The album’s producer, Nick Gold, took over ownership of the studio in 2001 until April


UNITED KINGDOM A tune with a view By Erica Basnicki


A SPECIALLY composed soundtrack performed by the London Symphony Orchestra will accompany guests on their 244m journey upwards when The View from The Shard opens this February. The music, written by composer David Mitcham and recorded at Abbey Road Studios, will accompany guests as they take the high-speed lifts to the viewing gallery of Europe’s tallest building. Once there, the soundtrack is replaced by a bespoke soundscape featuring


the London-based chamber choir the Joyful Company of Singers. “The Shard is London’s


newest landmark and is located in one of the oldest parts of the capital. Witnessing The View from The Shard gives a unique perspective on London, its history, its future and its people. The sheer scale and variety contained within the view is quite overwhelming,” said Mitcham. “It is also so exciting to be this high up and feels a real privilege to see London this way. My score seeks to capture the sense of rising above it all and the excitement and euphoria of


“Nick’s done a fantastic job of finding something that’s a perfect fit,” said Mike Crossey, pictured right with Miloco MD Nick Young


of this year when it went up for sale. Following an exhausting six-


week whirlwind refurbishment (documented in fantastic photographic detail on micro- blogging site Tumblr), the studio has opened its doors once again, run under a partnership between Miloco and producer/engineer Mike Crossey (Arctic Monkeys, Jake Bugg, The 1975) who came down from Motor Museum in Liverpool to take up residence in Studio 1. “I came down with some drums and speakers and sat and played around in the live room, and that’s


when I said ‘Yes, this will definitely work’,” said Crossey. “A lot of the great tracking spaces in London are starting to disappear, especially if you like a big explosive drum sound and like to use a lot of natural room mics.” The centrepiece of Studio 1’s


control room is a 72-channel SSL SL4072 G series console, featuring 16 prototype black EQ modules from the studio’s original E-Series (“We kept them to keep Jerry [Boys] happy,” Young said), eight orange EQs and eight brown EQs. Crossey brought his own monitors, which include The Rock and The Boulder from


being suspended right on top of London with the colourful story and ceaseless energy of one of the world’s greatest cities flowing on like a mighty river below.” Anders Nyberg, CEO, The


View from The Shard, commented: “We were excited to work with The London Symphony Orchestra and The


For the latest studio news www.psneurope.com/studio


Unity Audio, Yamaha NS10s and a single Aurotone which supplement the studio’s Westlake Audio loudspeakers and Genelec 1031As.


The smaller Studio 2, run in partnership with producer and Incognito legend Bluey, and engineer Mo Hausler is a Pro Tools-only room, no console, though Hausler said “they would probably get some faders”. It is primarily a writing studio,


but features a variety of recording spaces (including an echo chamber), along with a Shadow Hills Industries The Equinox summing amp, and Bluey and Hauser’s personal collection of mic pres and outboard gear. With several studios closing their doors this year, including Miloco’s own Garden Studios (see page 21), it is encouraging, if not surprising, to report on one opening. “Yes, there are a lot of studios closing, but I think you can still give them a big chance if you make the studios really vibey. You’ve got to get the look and feel of the place right, the gear right, have everything working really well. And if bands come here and feel relaxed and just love it, they’ll come back,” says Young. “This studio has a great


history, so it’s brilliant to keep that going and hopefully we’ll do it justice.”n www.miloco.co.uk


The View from The Shard opens 1 February 2013 to anyone not afraid of heights


SOUNDBITES


Amptec has taken over distribution responsibilities for Merging Technologies in the Belgian market. This change brings to an end a partnership with Puretec, which has withdrawn from professional audio. Amptec handles a wide range of other brands including Ravenna partners Lawo and Innovason. www.amptec.be www.merging.com


Crispin Murray –MPG’s Unsung Hero Award winner for 2012 – has taken a new role with Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, representing them in the UK and assisting in project co-ordination. As PSNEuropehas reported in depth, Wisseloord has undergone a complete restoration and rebirth to the highest standards and contains the complete production chain with studios, mastering and digital media creative and authoring services, and featuring world class engineers Ronald Prent (surround mixing) and multiple Grammy Award winner Darcy Proper (mastering). crispin@wisseloord.nl www.wisselord.nl


Unity Audiohas moved to new premises. Its address is now Unit 3, Hall Farm, Little Walden, Essex CB10 1XA. The telephone number is +44 1799 520786. www.unityaudio.co.uk


Joyful Company of Singers and carry out the recording at Abbey Road, not only because they are highly acclaimed performers, but because they are also famous London institutions. They are part of, and created out of, the city which inspires the music for this unique new visitor attraction.” n www.theviewfromtheshard.com


Dru Masters has recently moved into a new studio at the Amplifi complex near Kings Cross in London, with KMR Audio supplying the majority of the kit. “I get almost all of my gear from KMR because they have a great attitude,” said Masters. Some of the KMR-supplied kit includes a lunchbox rack that houses Neve 1073 and API 512 mic preamps, an AEA KU4S unidirectional ribbon microphone, and his Pro Tools HDX rig. PSNEuropewill be visiting Masters’ new studio, and will have a full report in next month’s issue. In other news, KMR has been appointed as the exclusive UK supplier of Mäag Audioproducts from the US.


www.kmraudio.com


Photo: The View from The Shard


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52