Giant Wafer Recording Studio

Name: Brendan Williams

Date: Sat 31st March 2012

Review:
In Jan 2012 I worked with along side Phil Bulleyment producing the forthcoming Dutch Uncles album for Memphis Industries at Giant Wafer. We all felt that regardless of price (and it really is a total steal) that Ed has put a really special facility together. The rooms are great, the mic's, pre's and outboard are really really good. There's a genuinely well thought out balance between valve and solid state kit, vintage and modern. the mic stock is pretty comprehensive but it's not totally predictable, we got some great results from mic's we'd not had the chance to use before. There's a really good range of instruments too, Loads of snares, guitars, bass's and vintage keys. We got Ed's Pearl Syncussion up and running which made everything go disco for a little while. We self engineered and Ed was always more than happy to help out when I was doing something stupid! He made up loads of cables for us to integrate our own outboard etc. The accommodation was all good; the kitchen managed cope with feeding nine hungry mouths for 21 days through the month (self catering, cheers to the bands manager for keeping us fat!). it seems a small thing, but having having natural light in the control room and main live room was a nice little luxury. The surrounding area is stunning. Giant Wafer is a total bargain, I've not seen a better studio that doesn't come in at more than £400 a day.

ED Lewis & Giant Wafer Studios

Name: Keith Baxendale

Review:
I manage a young four piece rock band called Definitely Monday from Merseyside who are all at college doing music technology courses. The guys have access to a recording studio at college and had completed a demo of their own before we decided to go into a professional studio. They did their own research and having past over some very famous studios based in Liverpool chose Giant Wafer for a number of reasons. Firstly, they were very impressed with Giant Wafer website and the prices were very very competitive for the studio alone. Secondly, when you consider the costs of the on site accommodation per person per night it made the choice a "no brainer". The chance to record, reflect, practice and liaise with the the studio engineer on site with no distractions other than a very peaceful idilic setting in Mid Wales meant that we were going to maximise the time in the studio and get the most out of our investment. Thirdly, the chance to liaise and correspond with Ed in the run up to the recording sessions were an enormous benefit and again it meant that Ed and the band were already on the same page and ready to go the minute we hit the studio. When we arrived we were able to set up and get a practice session in before we were paying for studio time. Having arrived we were amazed at the location, the very relaxed atmosphere of the studio and the standard of the living accommodation situated directly above and to the side of the studio. The studio itslef is there for all to see on the website Ed runs. The equipment is top notch and lovingly installed, maintained and kept in top quality fashion by Ed himslef who we quickly became very comfortable with. He briefed the lads on what he wanted and reviewed what they were after and we all knew exaclty what was expected for the next five days. Ed's ability not only as a sound engineer but instant "friend of the band" shone through with advice,encouragement and experience. He also offers access to a huge range of instruments and equipment at no extra charge and the lads found themselves using his guitars, pedals and other stuff! This guy works flat out for you, recording, editing and then preparing for the next session. The guys were putting in 8-9 hours recording whilst he was doing 12 hour days minimum keeping us on track and ready to go the next day. Each day Ed allowed us to review what had gone the day before so we could see first hand how the tracks were developing. Post recording Ed mixes and offers mastering services. WEe took a number of weeks to settle on the mix amd mastered versions and Ed was very patient with the band in striving to get exaclty what they wanted. I'd never met Ed before booking his studio so I have no other reason to speak so highly of him and his studio other than my own first hand experience of the week we spent with him at Giant Wafer and the post recording phase and assistance he has provided since then. Ed is a top bloke (dont play pool with him he'll cream you) and his studios are set in fantastic countryside not nearly all as close as you'd think from the cities of Liverpool or Manchester. Definitely Monday's EP is due out very soon and it was recently reviewed by Band in a Box who commented highly on the qualtiy of the production, mixing and recording. Highly recommended and we will be gong back I'm sure. Keith Baxendale Definitely Monday www.definitelymonday.com

Ed Lewis & his Giant Wafer Studio

Name: Cynrig Williams

Review:
Ed is one of the most hard working individuals that I have ever met, and his studio is testement to this! Ed works around the clock putting the clients needs first. Selfless in his approach, he strives for perfection in and out of the studio. During our time at Giant Wafer we were made to feel right at home! The accomodation, situated next to the studio is a home away from home and a great place for a band to go and just enjoy the experience. With Eds friendly and proffessional approach we had a thoroughly enjoyable time. I have ranted and raved about Giant Wafer to so many people! The Studio is amazing, complete with up to date technology to make even the roughest garage band sound like the next big thing. Live room and dead rooms all sound amazing once recorded, and with Ed producing, he will work night and day to make sure you are happy with the final mix. I consider Ed a great friend and am stoked that I had the opportunity of working with him!

Giant Wafer STudios

Name: Tom Woodhead

Review:
I have worked as a freelance producer/engineer at Giant Wafer many times over the past couple of years (probably approaching 10 sessions of varying lengths). The reason I keep coming back is that it is simply the finest studio of its type in this price bracket in the country. The studio was already great the first time I worked there, and almost every time I have returned since Ed has made some kind of improvement, be it new gear or ergonomic modifications to help the session run more smoothly. It's a crime that this studio isn't more well known than it is. Great mics, great outboard, great accommodation, great price. Oh, and Ed is pretty great too, both as an engineer and a pool player.

Giant Wafer is one of the top studios in Wales!

Name: The Roseville Band

Review:
Giant Wafer is one of the best recording studios in Wales, and is amazing value for money. In terms of equipment the studio competes with all the other studios in the land. The live rooms are ideal in size, and allow for bands with 6+ members to comfortably perform at the same time, whilst achieving separation. The studio is set in the most inspiring beautiful part of the country, well away from the distractions of the city, allowing you to focus entirely on the job in hand. The live-in quarters are so comfortable - you almost don't want to leave the place!