Project Description
TEC AWARD WINNER 2016
Overview
Originally built in 1855, the Crouch End Church was bought by Eurythmics’ producer/artist Dave Stewart in 1984, and reborn as The Church Studios where he worked with artists ranging from Dylan and Depeche Mode to Annie Lennox. Recording star David Gray purchased the studio in 2004 and further expanded its legacy of hits. Committed to perpetuating the studio’s world-class reputation, Grammy and Academy Award-winning producer Paul Epworth (Paul McCartney, Adele, Cold Play, U2) brought WSDG on board to reconfigure the famed Studio A Live and SSL Control Rooms when he purchased The Church Studios in 2013.
Program
Initial plans called for a substantial upgrade to the monitoring system, and the introduction of a writing room. However, at the outset of the project it was discovered that isolation between the rooms was basically nonexistent. The previous owners basically used the studios for either personal or ‘locked out’ projects. Sound leakage between rooms had never been an issue. Although blessed with excellent “bones” and inherently pristine acoustics thanks to its liturgical origins, the studio required a total renovation because Epworth is hosting multiple artist sessions simultaneously.
Design
Working closely with renowned London-based Miloco Services to coordinate studio installations and operations, WSDG designed a comprehensive restructuring of The Church Studios. Interior aesthetics were drawn from a palette of subtle whites which may be ‘colorized to virtually any desired mood’ by a sophisticated computer program. The new, fully floated 352 sq. ft. Control Room 2 features the studios’ vintage, multi-platinum SSL console. Control 2 is also graced by new, custom-designed WSDG/Augspurger Mains. The 438 sq. ft. /11 ft. high ceiling Studio 2 Live Room is highlighted by impeccably tuned custom designed wall and ceiling acoustic treatments. The elegant, new ultra-modern 190 sq. ft. Studio 3 Writing Room includes a sleek, wall–mounted Data/Power Cable “box skirt” cabinet to support the uncluttered creative atmosphere.
Photos
Testimonial
Paul Epworth | The Church Studios
Owner, Producer
“I wanted to be the first to build a WSDG/Augspurger room in London to meet the needs of both British and international artists, producers, and engineers. Bringing WSDG in to design two of their world-renowned rooms was the first step, and the collaboration with Miloco has been an incredibly successful team effort. The Church provides nearly 8,000sqft of recording space over three very different rooms, including rare and vintage recording gear married to the most modern digital and analogue equipment to give users the freedom to indulge their creative impulses instantly.”
Links
Read 31st TEC Award Winner Mix Magazine Article
Read about the new U2 album recorded at The Church Studios
Read the PSN Europe – Pro Sounds Awards 2015 Article
Read 31st TEC Award Nominee Article!
Read PSN TEC Award Winner Article!
Read WeChat (Weixin) Article (Chinese)