Tell us a little about what makes your studio unique! What do you stand for and what is at the heart of why you are in the recording industry?
Ayriel Studios is to be found tucked away in the stunning North York Moors National Park. With panoramic views across the valley of Westerdale it’s a haven for creativity. We’re passionate about bringing out the best in artists and their teams, nurturing both emerging talent and supporting established artists, by offering a positive, inspiring environment where musicians can flourish.
Every aspect of a visit is bespoke, from technical and studio setups, flexible 24-hour studio access, to comfortable farm cottages and a host of catering options – all backed up with warm, welcoming Yorkshire hospitality.
The studio vision was initiated by our artistic director, cellist Jamie Walton, whose decades of experience in the music industry continues to fuel his passion for the recording arts. Ayriel Studios was converted from 18th century barns in collaboration with the technology-engineer owners of the farm buildings. The conversion was managed by legendary acoustician Chris Walls, to produce a naturally lit, 310m 3 Live Room with exceptional natural reverb of 0.8 to 2.6 seconds together with a fully isolated (70dB) air-conditioned Control Room overlooking the Live Room. The Live Room can be partitioned to provide isolation as required, and total isolation can be provided in the
Green Room or the cottages. This flexibility caters to all genres, with a particular affinity for acoustic performances.
Our Control Room features a 32-channel SSL ORIGIN analogue mixing desk, ATC SCM110ASL PRO Monitors, ergonomic seating and a big comfy sofa. For both Mac and Windows platforms, we support a variety of DAWs, including Pro Tools Ultimate, Ableton Lite, Logic Pro, along with hundreds of plugins for greater creative flexibility. Ayriel Studios is set apart by our approach to the engineering and production of recordings. Our engineering capability is overseen by Simon Hopkins, our technical director who has been a technology engineer for over 50 years. We have a growing network of experienced associate engineers and producers which enables the client to assemble their perfect team.
This personalised approach has attracted a diverse roster of talent, including folk icon Sam Lee, jazz luminaries Alice Zawadzki, Fred Thomas, and Misha Mullov-Abbado, classical stars like Viktoria Mullova and Peter Donohoe, and industry legends such as Dr Dre’s producer Erik ‘Blu2th’ Griggs. Emerging bands like The Caymans have also found their way to us, thanks to collaborations with Aaron Casserly-Stewart and Nicky Chance- Thompson from Halifax’s Piece Hall.
Are there any previous recording, mixing or mastering projects that your studio has been a part of that you are particularly proud of?
Hosting such a diverse array of talent at Ayriel Studios makes it impossible to choose just one standout moment! Most recently, we had the pleasure of working with upcoming singer-songwriter Brandon Fletcher, who recorded his debut album here after being discovered busking. Within days of its release, the album garnered an impressive number of streams – an auspicious start to his career.
On the other end of the spectrum, the charismatic Alice Zawadzki Trio recorded a demo for their album Za Gorami. The project caught the attention of ECM Records, leading to a record deal and an internationally acclaimed album that they are now touring extensively.
We also welcomed New Zealand-born violinist Benjamin Baker and pianist Daniel Lebhardt, who recorded their latest classical album here. Upon release, it surpassed a million streams, prompting their return to Ayriel for multiple projects, including an ITV1 national news feature about Ayriel Studios now streaming on ITVX. https://www.itv.com/watch/news/the-recording-studio-nestled-in-the-heart-of-the-north-york-moors/r9qrjg7
Every project, whether musicians, voice artists or composers, is unique, and we take immense pride in celebrating them all. Artists often tell us their time at Ayriel is transformative – that recording here becomes more than the sum of its parts. Sessions consistently finish ahead of schedule, a reflection of the relaxed yet focused environment. It’s this blend of space, camaraderie, and passion that keeps so many artists coming back.
What does an average day at your studio look like?
Artists wake up to breathtaking views from their cosy cottages, with the rolling hills of the North York Moors stretching before them – a perfect start to any day. In the Live Room, piano technician Aidan Delacey-Simms tunes the Steinway D (2000) or Blüthner Model 1 (1925), preparing for the sessions ahead, while studio manager Hannah Ahrens returns from the nearby Danby bakery with warm, freshly baked croissants. Breakfast, often enjoyed outdoors at picnic tables when the weather allows, is often followed by a relaxed session in the Green Room, where Yorkshire tea and barista-style coffee are always on hand. The session usually begins in the Control Room, with everyone reviewing yesterday’s work, sparking fresh ideas and setting the tone for another productive day.
The Live Room becomes a hive of activity as the team reconfigures the space and assists with setups to bring every vision to life. Meanwhile, the office buzzes with client calls, admin tasks, and taking care of all those little details that ensure happy people and a successful day’s recording! Across the landing in the Control Room, Simon ensures smooth operations, briefing visiting engineers on the intuitive workflow. Towards midday, cottages are prepared with freshly laid tables for catered meals, though self-catering is an option (rarely chosen). After lunch, artists and their teams head straight back into their creative bubble. Many return later in the evening to lay down tracks, or jam late into the night. So, even when the studio team has wrapped for the day, the creative spirit continues, making Ayriel Studios a place where inspiration truly never sleeps.
Tell us about your studio staff. How do they contribute to your studio’s ethos and reputation?
We are a close-knit team united by a shared love of music and a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude. This mindset proved essential when we began constructing the studio in March 2020, at the start of the pandemic!
Hannah and Jamie are deeply passionate about people, ensuring every visitor enjoys a bespoke experience that not only meets but often exceeds expectations. They recognise that no two artists are the same, and it’s the attention to detail that has driven the studio’s growing reputation for excellence.
Simon and Jo, Ayriel Studios’ owners and the technology engineers who breathed the life into the studio, bring exceptional technical and business expertise to the team. Simon is always on hand for tech support, while Jo leads on the business administration. We are proud to hold ISO 9001 QMS and ISO 14001 EMS certifications, reflecting our dedication to quality and environmental responsibility.
We aim to become carbon neutral; the studio is heated by a ground source heat pump and we have a large solar array providing 7.5kW of power.
Philly our marketing guru helps us embody Ayriel Studios’ ethos and values in our communications, social media and website; helping set business agendas and working to ensure we are unified and consistent in our approach.
Our talented network of associate engineers and producers extends our team’s capabilities, all working toward the shared goal of bringing out the best in artists and their teams. Visitors consistently remark on the welcoming, nurturing atmosphere at Ayriel Studios – something we take immense pride in fostering. Together, our diverse strengths ensure the studio thrives and remains a place where creativity flourishes.
Is there a highlight from the previous working month (or recently) at your studio that you would like to share?
We recently had the privilege of hosting the acclaimed folk group The Unthanks for a week-long recording session that showcased Ayriel Studios’ flexibility and capabilities. Staying on-site in our cottages, the band fully immersed themselves in the experience, drawing inspiration from the stunning North York Moors – a setting that beautifully complemented their music.
Their ambitious project involved a wide range of instruments and intricate arrangements, requiring meticulous separation and attention to detail. Every corner of our facilities was utilised, from the Green Room to the cottages and Control Room, to ensure optimal sound quality. The complexity of their work pushed our SSL ORIGIN console to its limits, with 31 of its 32 channels in use – a true testament to the adaptability of our setup.
The result was In Winter, a hauntingly beautiful album released at the end of last year to widespread critical acclaim. Reviews celebrated its emotional depth and artistry, and it was a joy to see how our space supported such a dynamic project. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do: to create an environment where creativity thrives and exceptional music comes to life.
Is there anything else you would like to say about your studio and share with the Guild?
Despite being located deep in the Yorkshire countryside, Ayriel Studios is surprisingly easy to reach, with direct train routes from London to York taking less than two hours. To make your journey seamless, we offer help with journey planning and complimentary station pick-ups and drop-offs.
Ayriel boasts two impeccably maintained grand pianos, and a Steinway Upright (1878) in the Green Room, making it a dream destination for pianists. These instruments are available to everyone recording here, from songwriters and composers to performers.All our performance spaces, Live Room, Green Room, Byre, Granary and Carthouse cottages are connected to the control room with audio tie-lines, DANTE audio, CCTV and a Behringer personal mixer headphone system. This allows significant isolation and flexibility during complex recording projects.
Beyond recording, Ayriel is proud to host song-writing retreats and workshops, such as a recent session on piano recording techniques led by David Bowie’s producer Ken Scott, with contributions from Mike Banks of recordproducers.com & SSL together with educators from across the UK. Guided by a passion for music and the arts, our ethos is to create a bespoke, warm experience where every artist can bring their vision to life. We encourage anyone to visit Ayriel Studios to meet the team, tour the facilities, and experience the energising atmosphere and stunning location. Finding the perfect space for your project is essential, and we’re confident Ayriel offers the ‘perfect mix’ for inspiration and creativity.
Contact us for more information or to arrange your visit!
www.ayrielstudios.com
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