Audio Services

Messing with a mouse can be frustrating, but modern recording demands the use of a Digital Audio Workstation.

From our ealy days with Cubase, we have always used motorised faders for mixing, once the audio is in the computer.

The current controller in the studio is the Qcon ProX, pictured. Along with a SoftTube Control 1 this speeds up work considerably.

Thirty Two stems can be fed back into the Trident for analogue summing, additional outboard processing etc, if required.

Along with the many keyboards, we have a good selection of guitars all available for use.

A few of the more interesting ones:

Gibson 335 1996 (with Bigsby trem)

Gibson SG 1971 (with Vibrolux trem)

Gibson LP Artist 1979 (with Moog electronics)

Fender Jap Strat 1986 (Lace Sensor pickups, 3mm copper lining)

Fender USA Tele (maple neck)

Fender 2016 Precision Elite Bass

Fender 1986 Jap Jazz Special

Aria 80s Strat (really crisp funky sound)

Ibanez 1986 Raodstar 440 superstrat.

Ibanez baritone guitar.

Godin A6, A12, Multiacc.

As with all large format mixing desks, this one has a history.

Custom built for Robert Ponger, this was the desk used for the early Falco albums.

We had it transported from Austria to the Isle of Man in 2015, and using a brand new power supply from Blue Dog the desk is 100% reliable and sounding superb.

Trident Studios were very prominent in the early 70s, and their engineers built the desks they needed, which developed into another company in its own right. 

Trident desks are well known for their sound, and the Series 80 (from 1980), with its huge vintage microphone transformers on every channel is a favourite, unless you have space for a TSM!

We keep a versatile lineup of instruments chosen for depth, resonance, and tonal color:

• Gibson J45 – Classic warmth with a strong midrange, perfect for vocal-driven acoustic sessions.
• Fender Newporter (vintage & modern) – Bright, balanced, and ideal for rhythm and layered textures.
• Yamaha acoustic – Reliable clarity and projection across genres.
• Godin A6 & A12 – Hybrid guitars that bridge acoustic resonance with electric precision, ideal for live and layered tracking.
• Anderwood lap guitar – UK-built Weissenborn-style slide guitar with a hollow neck and all-mahogany body, producing rich, haunting tones for folk, cinematic, and ambient soundscapes.
• Hoyer 6- and 12-string acoustics – Often dubbed the “German Gibson,” vintage West German instruments from the 1960s–70s. The 6-string is strung Nashville style, with a high-strung set including a .009 gauge string in place of the low E, giving it a shimmering, 12-string-like clarity that’s perfect for layering and doubling.
• Bentley SD-10 pedal steel – Boutique all-pull design with triple raise/lower mechanics and GeorgeL E66 pickup, delivering smooth bends and lush sustain for country, ambient, and experimental styles.

Vintage organ tone meets synth history. Our A100 delivers the classic B-3 sound; rich, soulful, unmistakably Hammond. Sitting above, the SH-1000 is Roland’s first synth: bold, monophonic, and full of 1970s character. 

Once a staple of early 20th-century entertainment, our tack piano now adds vintage sparkle to modern sessions.

Versatility, warmth, and punch.

We’ve hold a mix of classic and modern tools that let players dial in everything from vintage growl to hi-fi clarity.

• Ashdown-powered Trace Elliot: A hybrid setup that blends Trace’s legendary articulation with Ashdown’s rich low-end. It’s tight, responsive, and ideal for players who want definition without losing warmth.
• Ampeg Portaflex PF500: A solid-state workhorse with 500 watts of clean power. Paired with flip-top cabs, it delivers that unmistakable Ampeg tone — round, punchy, and full of character.
• Phil Jones Bass system: For ultra-detailed, studio-grade tone. Phil Jones gear is known for its clarity and fast transient response, especially on fingerstyle and fretless work. 

🎤 Mic & DI Options

• Heil PR40: A dynamic mic with condenser-like detail. Great for capturing the full body of the amp without harshness.
• Avalon U5 DI: When we go direct, this is the box. It’s clean, musical, and adds a subtle harmonic richness that flat DIs just don’t. 

Our vocal sessions are anchored by the legendary Neumann U87, a studio icon renowned for its silky top end, balanced tone, and uncanny ability to flatter virtually any voice. From intimate ballads to soaring rock vocals, the U87 delivers a polished, larger-than-life sound that sits effortlessly in the mix.

Complementing the U87 is our Neumann TLM 49, a modern classic inspired by the revered M49 and U47 tube microphones. With its warm midrange and vintage character, the TLM 49 adds depth and richness to vocals, especially in jazz, soul, and acoustic genres.