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Rockfield Studios

Coordinates: 51°49′30″N 2°44′53″W / 51.82500°N 2.74806°W / 51.82500; -2.74806
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The entrance to the studios

Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth in Wales and just outside the village of Rockfield, Monmouthshire are where some of British rock music’s most successful recordings have been made.[1]

History

The studios were founded by brothers Kingsley and Charles Ward[1] in 1963, by converting an existing farmhouse.[2] In 1965, they became the world's first-ever residential studio, set up so that bands could come and stay in the peaceful rural surroundings to record. They have two studios, the Coach House and the Quadrangle which are both set up for digital and analogue recordings.

The first big hit recorded in the studios was Dave Edmunds' "I Hear You Knocking" in 1970. Following that success, the studios were used in the early 1970s to record seven albums by Budgie, several by Hawkwind, one by Hobo, Peter Hammill's second solo album Chameleon in the Shadow of the Night in 1973, Ace's hit single "How Long?" in 1974, and Queen's album Sheer Heart Attack. In August 1975, Queen returned to Rockfield to begin recording the album A Night At The Opera, including "Bohemian Rhapsody". Motörhead made their first recordings at the studios in 1975 and were, briefly, signed to the Rockfield record label.[2]

During a 12-month period in 1996-97, Rockfield sessions resulted in five UK Number One albums, by Oasis, Black Grape, The Charlatans and the Boo Radleys.

The Coach House Studio

The Coach House studio was constructed in 1968 and is based around vintage microphone amp and eq's. The main recording console is a NEVE 8128 inline desk with outboard including Neve 1060 mic. amps, Rosser mic. amps, API 550 eq's and Urei 1060 compressors.

This live area was specially designed for band recordings with an emphasis on separation and natural acoustics. It consists of the live recording area with a Yamaha Grand Piano, 1 stone drum room, an acoustically variable second drum room and 2 isolation booths.

Artist who have recorded in the Coach House include Oasis, Bullet For My Valentine and Simple Minds.

The Quadrangle Studio

The Quadrangle studio was Constructed in 1973 is most famous for recording Queens Bohemian Rhapsody. The main recording console is a MCI 500 series inline desk with outboard including Neve 1060 mic. amps, Rosser mic. amps, API 550 eq's and Urei 1060 compressors.

This live area of the quadrangle studio was also specially designed to record live bands. It consists of the live recording area with its Bosendorfer Grand Piano, 2 large variable acoustic drum rooms and 3 isolation booths along with its 6m x 7m central control room.

Artist who have recorded in the Quadrangle include the Manic Street Preachers, Robert Plant and Coldplay.

Artist roster

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

References

  1. ^ a b c "Zep singer returns to solo roots". BBC News. 2006-05-20. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
  2. ^ a b c Jeff Collins, Rock Legends At Rockfield, 2007, ISBN 978-0-7083-2097-6
  3. ^ a b c d e f Record Production Article, accessed February 2012

51°49′30″N 2°44′53″W / 51.82500°N 2.74806°W / 51.82500; -2.74806

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