The Church Studio, re-opened by new owner, Paul Epworth

One of the most celebrated UK Record Producers of his generation, Paul Epworth relaunches The Church Studios in Crouch End, North London. Rarely in the modern era is the music industry gifted with such an exciting new London recording studio, but with Paul now based at The Church and running it as a commercial venture with Miloco, that wait has ended.

The beating heart of this historic and spectacular building is The Church Studio 1, an epic tracking room with expansive floorspace, triple height ceiling, vast equipment spec and inspiration everywhere – it was destined to be a place where great music is made. Taking centre stage in the studio is one of the rarest recording and mixing desks in the world, a 72 channel vintage EMI Neve console, the only one of its kind in London. Comprised of two halves – one which lived in Abbey Road where it recorded hits such as Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, and the other from the famous Pathe Marconi studios in Paris – this is an incredible piece of kit. The size of it alone is a sight to behold, but the quality it produces – vintage Neve warmth at its supreme best – is what’s causing a real fever pitch among producers and engineers.

The studio is divided into a number of areas. Its enormous main room takes residence in the old church hall where for 150 years religious services took place. You can begin to imagine the acoustics and overall grandeur of the room; a towering ceiling, huge church windows, original wooden beams and other furnishings. The sound of the room alone is massive, however by implementing a number of panels, screens and amp cupboards you have a large variety of acoustic options. One of the old church booths has been converted into a large recording booth which can accommodate drums, and there are countless nooks and crannies around the building that can be exploited, for example the church spire which makes a brilliant echo chamber.

Paul has designed Studio 1 to be a completely ‘no-bars’ recording experience. The EMI Neve is based in the live recording room with the band to push a session’s creative energy to the max. The original control room can be used as an additional editing suite.

And then there is gear….. The spec in Studio 1 has to be seen to be believed. Its range of outboard, microphones, guitars and bass guitars, amplifiers, vintage keyboards and other esoteric toys is astounding. Cast an eye over the full equipment spec to see all of what’s on offer, from both the analogue and digital domains.

We welcome back The Church – the recording studio relaunch of the year…

(article re-printed by kind permission of Nick Young, MD of Miloco Studios – the original article is here)