STUDIO SPOTLIGHT: Brighton Electric Studios

Audio Pro International, in association with AllStudios, presents the latest installment of our Studio Spotlight. This month we see what Brighton Electric Studios has to offer…

Founded in 1999 by James Stringfellow, Brighton Electric is a well known, high end recording, mixing and rehearsal studio complex situated just outside Brighton city centre. Spread across four premises, the studios are all within easy reach of each other, and were designed by Stringfellow together with Mike Gardner (Eden Studios) and Nick Whitaker, who was brought in to upgrade the acoustics throughout the complex.

"I started out with £700 and a group of artists and creatives helping out. Originally everything was residential and the studios became the creative home for many artists including Foals, Bat For Lashes, The Maccabees and Blood Red Shoes, who wrote and rehearsed their first records here," Stringfellow revealed. "Nowadays Brighton Electric is a very busy music community hub with up to fifty bands a day passing through our doors. Although there are countless talented bands out there, we are definitely experiencing an influx of musicians heading to Brighton and the South East at the moment, particularly on the acoustic side."

As demand from acoustic and folk artists has continued to grow, Brighton Electric has begun the process of expanding its rehearsal and recording space and is about to embark on a major internal renovation. World-class producer Dan Swift (Aqualung, Snow Patrol, Kasabian, Art Brut) has also been appointed resident producer and engineer.

Commenting on his appointment, Swift said: "It’s fantastic to be working with local artists of such huge talent who are interested in exploring an acoustic, folk sound. We’re pleased to be able to offer the best venue, engineering and production expertise to artists looking to create a specific sound. The equipment here is among the best I’ve ever worked with, and my role is to create a meaningful relationship between sounds, as well as to give artists an uplifting studio experience that enhances their creativity."

Spread over 2,000 square feet and taking up one ‘wing’ of the former Brighton & Hove Tramways offices, Brighton Electric’s main recording studio comprises a control room, live room, air conditioned vocal booth, and a second live room / lounge with 12′ ceilings and a 1968 E100 Hammond with Leslie 145.

The control room features a 1970s vintage Neve 5316 console, with a wide range of mic preamps and EQs working alongside Pro Tools 10 HD and Logic Pro 9. Monitoring is via ATC SCM100As, Proac S100s and Yamaha NS10s. Mics include AKG, Calrec, Coles, Neumann, Royer, and a pair of Funkwerk Leipzig CM7156 1950s valve models. There is also a Yamaha upright piano, a choice of over 40 guitar amps, a vintage Ampeg SVT and a choice of studio drum kits.

Five minutes’ walk from the recording studio is Brighton Workshop; a purpose-built, mixing and mastering room, with acoustics designed by Nick Whitaker to create a large, comfortable and accurate monitoring environment. Pro Tools 9 HD, Logic Pro and Waves Platinum are offered together with an array of professional summing and mixing equipment.

A ten minute drive from the city centre and a short walk from the sea is Brighton Acoustic; a writing and recording retreat housed in a converted barn, set in three acres of gardens. Its mezzanine-floor control room is home to a ’70s vintage Neve PSM 12 console, as well as Pro Tools HD and monitoring via Genelec 1030As, Dynaudio BM15As or Yamaha NS10s. A Yamaha C6 grand piano takes pride of place in the studio’s dividable live room, and shower, toilet and kitchen facilities are also available onsite.

Brighton Electric also offers 15 rehearsal rooms spread across two sites – Coombe Terrace and Melbourne Street – just 400m from the main studio with on-site permit parking available.

Recent clients at Brighton Electric include Florence Welch, Nick Cave, Jack Penate and The Cure.

Click here for more information and contact details.

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