22 l August 2013
www.psneurope.com studioreport UNITED KINGDOM Levine goes live
THE CREATIVE community taking shape in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle has snared its first major music production name with Steve Levine relocating his own personal studio facility to the area from its former location in London. Part of the long-term
regeneration of Liverpool city centre, the Baltic Triangle has been developed to provide a home for artists, musicians, photographers, film-makers, architects and other creatives. The result, says Levine, “is a really positive, community- type atmosphere that has played a significant part in bringing me here. You really don’t encounter that spirit much in London anymore. Plus, so many of the artists I have been working with lately – such as singer/ songwriter Natalie McCool – are based in the area, it makes sense to be here full time.” For the MPG chairman, the new facility also marks a
The new facility features kit from Yamaha, Focusrite, Neumann and more
“Liverpool hasn’t always been well-served by studios, which is absolutely insane when you think about the history of the place!” Steve Levine
Energised by the “incredible amount of new talent coming out of the Liverpool area”, producer and MPG chairman Steve Levine has relocated his studio to the city, writes David Davies
with Liverpool studio
conscious decision to separate personal and professional spaces once more after years of recording at home. “I don’t regret that at all, but everything goes in cycles, and the fact is that having a studio at home can be quite hard in terms of wear and tear on your house – and your life,” says Levine.
At 1,950sqft, the new facility is his most generously proportioned to date, accommodating a recording space sufficient for a five-piece band, along with a control room, an office space and reception area. Levine undertook most of the wiring and installation work himself,
but did call on several local firms for assistance, including tour sound specialist Adlib. The majority of the
equipment has made the journey from Levine’s previous space, but he confirms that he currently has his eye on “several other bits and pieces that I’ll doubtless get around to buying
soon”. Occupying pride of place in the control room is a Yamaha DM2000 console, with recording taking place on Mac in both Pro Tools and Logic – although the latter is Levine’s personal preference. An RME ADI-648 MADI/ADAT converter facilitates 64 discrete channels through the DM2000, while Apogee’s Big Ben provides the master clock. Choice outboard includes a
Focusrite ISA 215 dual mic preamplifier EQ – a much- beloved part of the Levine studio arsenal that was recently serviced “and has come back good as new – so many thanks to Phil [Dudderidge, Focusrite owner and chairman] and his team for that!” Monitors at Levine’s disposal, meanwhile, include his long-serving PMC LB1s (“they still sound amazing”) and a rather more recently purchased pair of Neumann KH 120 A studio monitors: “They are very accurate and sound great at low volumes too – I’ve really fallen in love with them!” Some additional recording for McCool’s next release will be among the first projects through the door at Steve Levine Recording, Liverpool. In addition to working with up- and-coming artists, Levine may use the studio in conjunction with his ongoing production masterclasses at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
Photo: Rosie Levine
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