BEST RECORDING STUDIO


Out of interest, what do you AUDIOGONERS consider to be the best quality recording studios out there, there respective labels, and an example of their recording.

Now Abbey Road are a legendary studio, but I would be surprised if anyone would say they make the best recordings.

I personally think it is worth setting out why you think they make the best recordings.

Please note that some may think it's all about natural realism, and others special effects. Don't be shy as to why you like the studio.

Also do say if their labels etc make vinyl, cd etc...

I look forward to your posts
lohanimal
Without being venue-specific, Keith Johnson's work with Reference Recordings, and Kavi Alexander's Water Lily Acoustics stand out.

For venues, the large room at the original Columbia facilities in NYC, and David Gilmour's Britannica studios.

In the US, likely SkyWalker Sound (Wow you'd have to see to believe), Das Boot (James Guthrie's studio) and possibly Bob Ludwig's studio (though I've not been there, I've heard great things). Lookout Sound studio in Montana has invested heavily in getting great sound also.

In the UK, there is no studio that cares about great sound and gets it more than Astoria (David Gilmour's). Real World (Gabriel) is very lavish but their goals do not include ultimate fidelity. Mark Knopfler has put huge sums of money into building a state of the art studio in London.
Samuel - Thanks. I don't know what I was thinkin' with "Britannica" The houseboat is Astoria. I typed it while at the library, so maybe I was thinking about encyclopedias.

I have to agree about Skywalker Ranch. I interviewed for a job there in the early '90s and the tour blew me away. I couldn't take the job because although the pay was good, I could not afford to live in or anywhere near San Rafael.
there is nothing like being in Abbey road. But Mark Knoplers studio called British grove is way up there. It is a joy to work there, and has some of the worlds finest electronics and mics from every era all in pristine condition.

The acoustics are great and the main monitoring (surround sound all custom ATCs built for the studio) is probably too good. The monitors are suspended from the ceiling in another room, outside of the floating room within a room control room. They are motorized so can be moved to suit your positioning with a joy stick...! It's the little things in life that make life worth living.