Situated in the heart of London, just off the Kings Road, Britannia Row was founded in 1976 by Pink Floyd as their personal recording studio. After the recording of Animals, the studio gradually became more of a commercial venture and has gone on to welcome some of the best known and loved artists of the last thirty years. Names such as Joy Division, New Order, Pulp, Soul ll Soul, Page and Plant, Snow Patrol, The Verve, The Charlatans, The Futureheads, Westlife, Lemar, JLS, Gary Barlow, Leona Lewis, Adele, and of course Pink Floyd have all made significant recordings at Britannia Row.
Studio Manager Jamie Lane explained, “Our three acoustically designed studios are filled with equipment ranging from vintage Neve to cutting edge digital. Studio One has a beautifully restored 60 channel custom Neve 5116 automated console which we have just finished recapping, a project which has taken three years with stunning results, bringing the desk back to ‘as new’ condition. The control room, which was designed by Neil Grant, offers detailed but powerful monitoring via Boxer T3s, and the room is also stacked with classic outboard from the ’60s and ’70s, with an enviable collection of rare compressors including a Universal Audio 176, an Audio and Design F760 as well as the classic LA2A, LA3A, 1176 and Neve 2254.                                        Photo: 1976 Nick Mason at the console while the studio was still being built.
“We also have several early digital processors by Lexicon, AMS and Eventide and a unique EMT Quad plate built specially for Pink Floyd, all running alongside one of the largest mic collections in the UK, boasting rarities such as an original AKG C12, a pair of Neumann U67s, an AKG C28a and a pair of STC ribbons. Studio One’s live room was also designed by Neil Grant and its variable acoustics and high ceilings make for a versatile recording environment. A Hammond C3, Wurlitzer, Yamaha piano and some rare vintage guitar amps are also available to all Studio One clients.”
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Studio Two is the larger of the two digital rooms. It has a spacious booth and is ideal for writing/vocal sessions. The emphasis of this room is on DAW recording but with the added benefit of access to a vintage Neve vocal chain and the full mic cabinet. Studio Three also has its own booth and Neve vocal chain but here the emphasis is on ‘in the box’ mixing for projects with less of a budget. Acoustics in this room have been designed and built by Fritz of EHZ and, Jamie reports, the results are excellent!
“We pride ourselves on offering a warm and intimate atmosphere as well as highly skilled engineers who have worked with some of the finest producers around. Whilst we have a large roster of high profile clients, we also work with many unsigned acts who are self-funded with lower budgets. We believe in helping young artists, and we actively search out and encourage these projects in their development. These type of sessions are hugely popular with our engineers as they find a freedom and level of enthusiasm that keeps the creative vibe fresh and lively.”
As the music business has evolved, so too has Britannia Row, yet it maintains the same enthusiasm, expertise and warmth of welcome it offered when the studio first opened 37 years ago. An ideal place for musicians, managers and music execs to hang out, Brit Row is perfectly placed to absorb the creative buzz that is the hallmark of the capital. There are many public transport options and the studio has its own parking making it easy to access the bars, restaurants, fashion shops, music venues and record companies all to be found on its doorstep.
If you are looking for a personal but high quality studio for your project in the London area we thoroughly recommend you check out Britannia Row. Further details and contact info are available through their listing here.
