Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
romesh
Producers & Engineers “Your work, your mix, your production: that’s your business card": Motörhead producer Romesh Dodangoda
The Rolling Stones
Bands "They’ve got 13 songs they’re happy with”: The Rolling Stones are recording a new album in London
Kane Hibberd, the photographer behind the Scale exhibition in London, poses in front of his photographs – guitars features will include Kerry King of Slayer's BC Rich and Tom Morello's Arm The Homeless S-style.
Guitars Exhibition featuring life-sized photos of 100 legendary artists' guitars to open in London
Lawrence Hart
Artists Watch UK electronic artist Lawrence Hart build a track from scratch in his hardware-stuffed studio
Steve Levine
Producers & Engineers "With The Clash I used to put toilet paper in my ears": Steve Levine talks 50 years in the business
Beyonce at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Artists “Every time I sing it I feel so honored”: Beyoncé wraps up her London residency by thanking Paul McCartney
Cosmic death metal heroes Blood Incantation wear sunglasses and army jackets
Artists Blood Incantation on cosmic sounds, a near studio meltdown and the making of Absolute Elsewhere
  1. Tech
  2. Recording
  3. Studios

In pictures: Metropolis Studios, London

News
By Future Music ( Future Music ) published 23 November 2009

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Welcome

Welcome

Said to be the largest recording facility in Europe, London’s Metropolis has been celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009. The list of stars who’ve passed through its four studios reads like a who’s who of popular music – Metropolis churns out hit albums at a frankly alarming rate. Future Music popped in and took the guided tour.

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
Studio A live room

Studio A live room

The highlight of Studio A is this cavernous live room; it’s primarily wood but also has an optional stone section. “It’s big. You could have a gig in here for 150 people,” says Metropolis Managing Director Ian Brenchley.

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
Studio A rack

Studio A rack

Predictably, Studio A has some extremely well-stuffed racks to sit alongside its SSL 9072 J desk. Highlights of this one include the GML 8200 EQ, which is often used on the mix buss, and the Manley Variable Mu limiter/compressor, which is frequently put to work on backing vocals.

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
Studio A lounge

Studio A lounge

When the stars want a bit of ‘chill-axation’ time away from Studio A, they head up to its plush lounge room. It’s soundproofed and comes with its own kitchen and bathroom (you could practically move in), but for those who want to stay in touch, monitoring and talkback from the control room below are also in place.

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
Studio B desk

Studio B desk

Over in Studio B, there’s a 20-year-old SSL 4064 G desk that delivers a tough and grainy sound (those who use it also like to overload the input channels). Leaving aside the obligatory Yamaha NS10s, monitoring comes via a pair of Genelec 1035As, which deliver a tight, punchy and compressed sound.

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
Studio B rack

Studio B rack

You’ll find more classic outboard in Studio B. To the right, for example, you’ll notice vintage units from Urei and Tube-Tech.

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
Studio E desk

Studio E desk

Studio E is notable for its SSL 9072 K desk, which supports the surround sound features that are required in this room. Off to the side there’s a decent-sized vocal booth: “[In case] the artist decides that they do want to re-record a line, I always make sure there’s a mic set up,” explains engineer Dan Parry.

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Sprawling Metropolis

Sprawling Metropolis

As well as its recording, mixing and mastering facilities (you can actually have your own work mastered at Metropolis via the iMastering service), the studio also has a multimedia department and video rooms. Here, you can see a member of the team working on the front-end for a Stevie Wonder live DVD.

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
Future Music
Future Music

Future Music is the number one magazine for today's producers. Packed with technique and technology we'll help you make great new music. All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. Every marvellous monthly edition features reliable reviews of the latest and greatest hardware and software technology and techniques, unparalleled advice, in-depth interviews, sensational free samples and so much more to improve the experience and outcome of your music-making.

All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. image
All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more.
Get the latest issue now!
More Info
Read more
romesh
“Your work, your mix, your production: that’s your business card": Motörhead producer Romesh Dodangoda
The Rolling Stones
"They’ve got 13 songs they’re happy with”: The Rolling Stones are recording a new album in London
Kane Hibberd, the photographer behind the Scale exhibition in London, poses in front of his photographs – guitars features will include Kerry King of Slayer's BC Rich and Tom Morello's Arm The Homeless S-style.
Exhibition featuring life-sized photos of 100 legendary artists' guitars to open in London
Lawrence Hart
Watch UK electronic artist Lawrence Hart build a track from scratch in his hardware-stuffed studio
Steve Levine
"With The Clash I used to put toilet paper in my ears": Steve Levine talks 50 years in the business
Beyonce at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
“Every time I sing it I feel so honored”: Beyoncé wraps up her London residency by thanking Paul McCartney
Latest in Studios
Adam Audio H200
“A good all round headphone suited to recording, mixing and mastering”: Adam Audio H200 Headphones review
An Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII synthesizer on a blue background
I’ve looked through all 372 deals in the Thomann Easter Sale - these are the 5 deals I’d grab right now
Universal Audio Standard SD-1
“A versatile and durable dynamic microphone suitable for a range of applications”: Universal Audio SD-1 review
Universal Audio Standard SC-1
“Its robust construction, low self-noise, and ability to emulate a range of classic microphones make it a valuable asset”: Universal Audio SC-1 review
Abbey Road Studio One
Refurbished Abbey Road Studio One reopens with evening of "boundary-pushing expressive dance"
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s mix engineers reveal the star's “favourite part” of her smash hit, Birds Of A Feather
Latest in News
Close up of a person holding an acoustic guitar bathed sunlight
Ignite your inner guitar god for just 27 cents a day with TrueFire’s July 4th sale - save 60% on online lessons
caelum audio
"If your singing sounds like a dying cat, this finally kills the cat": This hilariously bad mic modelling plugin is free for International Joke Day
Freddie Mercury and Brian May at Live Aid
“We thought it was going to be a disaster”: Brian May reveals Queen had serious doubts about doing Live Aid
Phil Collins and Daryl Stuermer
“It was confusing to me": Guitarist Daryl Stuermer on recording Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight
Crazy Tube Circuits Mirage: the dual reverb features two independent DSP engines each equipped with 16 reverb modes – and there are flexible routing options.
With dual reverb engines, 16 algorithms, Crazy Tube Circuits’ Mirage is one serious reverb pedal
Liam and Noel Gallagher, back in 1997
“THEY’RE IN THERE!!! And they are LOUD”: Recordings of Oasis soundcheck are now online

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...