Christchurch Studios Clifton, in Bristol. Our biggest project so far. This amazing studio formerly owned by the BBC was bought by us in 1994.
Over a period of four years we rebuilt and extended the facilities and established it as a centre of excellence unsurpassed by any other enterprise of its type in the area.

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Shown Here: The studio and control room after the BBC refit in 1986.

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Our in-house string section in session.

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Radio producer Shaun Mclaughlin working with students of the
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

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We maintained a special relationship with the school established by Shaun where students could receive radio drama training. This was to prove a vital link in the future development of Christchurch Studios!

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One of the many BBC Radio 4 programmes we recorded. This is "Double Vision" which was broadcast on Saturday Mornings.

In a short time the studio was re-established, and with the addition of two more studio suites on the undeveloped second floor, work got under way on the second Massive Attack album. The BBC chose not to use these areas because of the difficulties in providing adequate sound insulation between the floors. We solved all of these problems by floating the entire suite of rooms on springs!

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Shown here: The floating rooms and corridor. Producer Neil Davidge and engineer Lee Shephard.

 

The main Christchurch Control Room showing the Quested 4 by 10 main monitors and Neve installed by us.

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In 1998 the lease on Christchurch ran out and after a prolonged business strategy review we decided that the studio would be able to continue a sustained development if it were to be owned an run by a co-operative or an institution. With this conviction, we invited the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, who were looking for further premises at the time, to take on the lease and acquire the studio infrastructure. How fortunate for all that those early links were kept alive. Thanks Shaun and John!

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The main control room as it is today after a major upgrade and refit by Andy Allan Solutions, April 2002.

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