6 l December 2013


www.psneurope.com


reviewoftheyear Storm and the studio


From the restructuring of one of London’s leading studio operators, to the further strengthening-by-acquisition of proaudio’s most powerful player, 2013 has hardly been a year lacking incident. David Davies takes a themed look back at some of the defining moments


MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS… AND MORE


Nearly five years after the all- consuming Downturn, the European economy remains becalmed at best, so it was surely inevitable that the recent pattern of consolidation would continue this year. Even so, 2013 was particularly eventful for changes at a corporate level, with the recording studio and post sectors among those evincing further signs of upheaval. London’s network of major


recording spaces has shrunk considerably in recent years, so June’s news that one of the capital’s biggest beasts, Metropolis, was to embark upon a process of restructuring couldn’t help but prompt anxiety in some quarters. But having transferred its assets to holding company Metropolis London Music and secured the support of three new investors, the studio complex has emerged newly re-emboldened. “It was a watershed moment


for us, and obviously it’s not something that you enter into lightly,” reflects Gerry Gallacher, marketing director at Metropolis. “But although we are still working through the administration process, it has enabled us to refocus the business – particularly with regard to the studios and mastering – and drive it forward.” A renewed emphasis on US clients has resulted in an uptake of business originating Stateside, while Gallacher is also enthusiastic about the potential


The Great Oak Stage stood firm for Capital Sound and the debut of the Martin Audio MLA in London’s Hyde Park this summer. But in other tree-related news...


business forward” Gerry Gallacher, Metropolis


of Metropolis’s expanded events programme, the new Bunker screening facility, and an eponymously-titled record label. The flourishing of new post facilities has been one of the real success stories of the studio


Restructured but still in tune: Metropolis


world during recent years. The pattern continued in 2013, although not without some turbulence. In August, BBC in- house paper Ariel reported that BBC Studios and Post Production (S&PP) was to leave its post facility in Charlotte Street, central London, in January, only a year after it took up residence. Meanwhile, it was practical considerations – namely the upcoming loss of a lease on long-standing premises in Dean Street – that encouraged Jungle Post to refocus on its audio roots at its other premises in Wardour Street. Elsewhere in the industry, some star players further consolidated their market share through acquisition. Underlining its continued diversification into


BRANCHING OUT IN SHOREDITCH


Strongroom Studios was struck a blow in the early hours of 28 October: the high winds that battered the UK uprooted the eucalyptus tree, planted 30 years ago by managing director Richard Boote’s own hand. “It has afforded Strongroom protection from the


the education market, September saw music production specialist PreSonus purchase the assets of music notation software developer Notion Music. A few weeks later, MediorNet developer Riedel asserted the scope of its influence in the networking domain by acquiring mobile streaming company Code One – a move that gave Riedel a


eyes of the neighbours for three decades and will be much missed,” said studio manager Phil Sisson. “We may use some of the timber to create a sculpture or perhaps a bench, so any would-be


woodworkers are invited to submit their proposals!”


portfolio of WAN-focused solutions, as well as technology for distributing video, audio and data via mobile networks. A little over five years since


it was acquired by D&M Holdings, Cornwall-based audio mixing manufacturer Allen & Heath changed hands once again mid-year, this time to private equity firm Electra


“[The restructure] was a watershed moment for us, and obviously it’s not something that you enter into lightly… but it has enabled us to refocus and drive the


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