UK Residential Studio required

[divingduck]

I'm currently looking for somewhere to record 3 jazz albums over a week, either near London, or residential in UK. Can anyone suggest anywhere appropriate given the following:

I have a mobile rig, mics, stands, screens etc, so it doesn't need to be a fully-equipped studio (but could be).

Good room with a good grand piano, so could be a concert venue using my rig.

Small groups, 1 with vocals, drum booth not necessary (spill nice!)

Budget? Probably around £1000 for the week...who knows...

Any suggestions much appreciated.

[LX3]

Hi there fellow Londoner :-)

Did you make any progress with this? Sorry I don't have any great suggestions for you.

The problems I've usually run into with this sort of plan (using somewhere that isn't a studio to record in) are security and day-long availability.

Firstly, I've found a couple of venues in the past that would be great... if it weren't for the fact that they get used for other activities in the evenings, so the available recording time each day is limited and the rig would have to be continually packed away.

Secondly, the venue will invariably go out of their way to tell me that "we're not insured", and can't even guarantee to lock up properly. I personally can't get (or can't afford) insurance which will cover leaving my kit set up overnight in a strange building. So I end up with the hassle of de-rigging the expensive bits after every session.

With lots of bona-fide studios doing deals these days, you may find it more convenient and cost-effective to book a week in a studio. Also has the advantage of not having to carry your gear to record, you get a proper control room, and hopefully good acoustics too (although, depending on the size of band, room size and acoustics might be the sticking point on this budget). £200 a day? For a week's solid booking you might manage it, especially if you can engineer yourself.

I'd love to hear if you find anything. Sorry I don't have more concrete suggestions right now.

(Although, thinking again, I do know a studio out in Walthamstow that might fit the bill. Medium-sized live room, nice baby grand, DDA desk, big PMC monitoring, ProTools HD, and probably within your budget. Mail me if you're interested)

Paul

[divingduck]

Thanks for the reply Paul.

Very good point about security at a "non-standard" venue; that rules out most theatres/halls etc. I suppose I was really thinking of somewhere secluded with a good music room - I know places that almost fit the bill - probably a musician's home or second property for example, and digs this sort of idea.

A studio is probably the best solution on all counts though. I'm researching lots, but also interested in pointers/experiences from fellows here.

£200 a day plus accomodation is the guide; depending on facilities, we could go for more. We're not trying to do things on the cheap, just trying to keep the recoupable costs down so the musicians make some pocket-money quicker.

Cheers.

[RichT]

Not in London but drivable, just outside Brighton:

811

Mikey the owner is a great guy and is normally open to deals on bulk bookings.

Cheers,
Rich

[divingduck]

Thanks, I'll check this out furhter.

Doesn't need to be in London; all the musicians travel well and want the social aspect of a residential... just shouldn't be so far that travel costs exceed studio time!

Cheers.