Many of you will know of Snap's founder/owner and ex-Funky Junk head honcho Mark Thompson as a music guy through and through, but are probably unfamiliar with his current incarnation as a writer of eccentric fiction and apocalyptic political novels!
Have a peek at www.em-thompson.com to find out more including a bunch of free short stories to while away the time/stop you staring at Pro Tools for too long.
We have some special rates available until the end of this month offering a great discount on block dates and more.
��If you’re looking to record piano, voice, strings, drums, guitars.. whatever with us - get in touch for more info and special self funded deals ☺️
· 1970s Neve recording console and outboard
· Extremely quiet and private recording spaces
· Huge selection of unique vintage gear�· Beautiful grand and upright pianos
· Highly experienced engineers
· Off-street parking and ground floor access
· Competitive and sensible rates
* SPECIAL RATES AVAILABLE UNTIL END OF MONTH!*
Alright, so it’s not coming home unfortunately..
But you can still come and record on our lovely 70s Neve with us in our home!
We have some special rates available until the end of this month offering a great discount on block dates and more.
If you’re looking to record piano, voice, strings, drums, guitars.. whatever with us - get in touch for more info and special self funded deals ☺️
· 1970s Neve recording console and outboard
· Extremely quiet and private recording spaces
· Huge selection of unique vintage gear
· Beautiful grand and upright pianos
· Highly experienced engineers
· Off-street parking and ground floor access
· Competitive and sensibile rates
Juicing up some mixes today with this beaut of a combo.
Who doesn’t love a Revox and Grampian in the mix!
We still have time left in April for anyone looking to come and make some magic 🪄
If you’re looking to record with us - get in touch for more info and special self funded deals ☺️
· 1970s Neve recording console and outboard
· Extremely quiet and private recording spaces
· Huge selection of unique vintage gear
· Highly experienced engineers
· Off-street parking and ground floor access
· Competitive and sensibile rates
One of the best eq’s in the game. You don’t see many Lang eq’s this side of the Atlantic, but thankfully we have a pair of PEQ-2’s in the rack, ready for whatever you throw at them.
The Lang’s are one of the Crown Jewels in our racks.
Built in the 1960s, with hand-wired juicy inductors - loaded with fat transformers and wide frequency points - they can be thought of as solid state inductor Pultec’s on steroids.
They sound big, fat and incredibly controlled.
The 20kHz lift on them is utterly sublime. No hardness or harshness, just beautifully open and clear.
We wish we had 16 channels of them!
Have you used the Lang PEQ’s? Do you love them?
Morning friends. We’re into mix land for a few days this week before tracking and filming towards the end of the week.
Here’s a shot of the oddball rack - with EQ and FX all rolled in.
Keen tube enthusiasts (like all of us here) will spy the Pultec MEQ-5 mid range EQ - unlike anything else on vocals, acoustic guitars and snare drums.
Even juicier below is a pair of 1960’s Decca mastering EQ’s - racked up by the vintage Don Neil Perry. Clarity and sparkle for days.
Happy recording 😊
Hey friends.
We have a last minute deal available due to a cancellation.
Bad news for us but potentially EXCELLENT news for you if you’re looking to record.
Get in touch through our website or give us a call. C
Cheers
Team Snap x
The Snap Holy Trinity 🙏
U67, RCA 44 and U47
These are among our favourite mics in the studio. Alongside the C12 and a few lesser known beauties like the Milab VIP 50’s and Sandhill active ribbons.
Oh wow. Polls exist on instagram 🤷🏻♂️
What’s everyone’s favourite?
Here’s a throwback to when the live room started taking shape - before any rockwool, soundboard or panels went in, and before the oak was laid on the floor… around 15 years ago!
Oh. Before the piano and any gear went in too!
Swipe right to see the live room in 2024 😎
We built Snap on a relative shoestring at the time, and were incredibly lucky to have access to some of the best studio and installation brains in the business.
Add to that plenty of passion and dedication, and the result is the Snap we have today! 🥰
Setting up for another week of recording and filming.
The view from behind the CS60 this morning..
We have 3 days left in the diary this month - available at a discount rate too - get in touch and let’s record something!
Welcome back to normal service.
We hope everyone had a lovely and relaxing break.
This is us entering our 15th year as a studio…
Pretty wild!
Thank you to all of our clients and friends who have trusted and worked with us over the years.
I’ll dig up some photos of us building the place and do a proper post.. but for now, cheers 😌
Just a reminder that we have a handful of dates left in our January special offer, so get in touch and grab them before they’re gone!
Warming up for a few days of piano recording.
If you haven’t played our Bosendorfer 225, we recommend you give it a try 🫧
Hey there 👋 We have a new pricing structure aimed at helping self funded projects get access to our facilities and to get the most out of their budget.
Here at Snap we have always championed and supported self-funded and unsigned artists as much as possible, and being an independent small business ourselves, we are ever aware of the financial challenges facing creatives in our industry.
Our new rates offer a fair price for both signed and unsigned artists alike.
In case you’d forgotten, here’s a reminder of what we’re all about at Snap..!
We are a fully independent recording studio based in North London run by a small and dedicated team.
Centred around a 1970s Neve console and equipped with a Bösendorfer piano, we’ve got more vintage microphones, synths and outboard than you can shake a C12 at.
Our aim is and always has been to offer uncompromising quality and standards at an affordable price.
Since 2010 we have had countless number one selling albums recorded with us, and helped thousands of independent artists take their music to the next level, and will continue to do so with the same values that we’ve held from the beginning.
Whether you are a band, a soloist, ensemble, tv crew, choir, orchestra or pianist - we will do our best to accommodate you!
Did you know that the Revox A77 makes the best tape delay you’ve ever imagined?
Make sure it‘s modified with varispeed of course 👆🏼
Now you know.
Today we're jumping straight into vocal recording, and live tracking and we’ll be leaning heavily on our recently serviced 1960's Telefunken U47 to deliver the goods so it felt like a good time to revisit a little post about this special lad.
Fewer mics are as iconic as the Nuemann/Telefunken U47. Realised in 1949 as a development of the infamous CMV 3, the U47 quickly became (and still is!) a true benchmark in the large diaphragm tube mic world.
Originally based around the VF14m tube and an M7 PVC capsule at a price of of around £150 (that was a lot at the time!) the U47 quickly became a favourite for engineers all over the world, and helped shape the sound of many of the recordings we love today. Sometime around the 1960s, many engineers were finding the quality fo their earlier mics was degrading. This was due to the perishable PVC membrane in the M7 capsule - so Neumann developed the K49 to supersede the M7 but to mimic the acoustic properties as close as possible.
Most of the U47’s you’ll see today will have a K49 in them.
Production of the VF14 tube had been in steep decline throughout the 1950s too, so in 1962’s Neumann developed a Nuvistor tube replacement kit designed to mimic the characteristics of the VF14.
The U47 is famous for its full, clear and larger than life immediate sound.
There’s a nice slight lift in the upper mids which helps bring out the nuance and definition of voices like nothing else.
The U47 we have at Snap is a Telefunken badged Nuvistor version, with Pathe Marconi stamped on the side- Every time it goes up against other U47’s, it often blows them away!
There’s definitely something special about it!
For the right voice, I don’t think anything can beat a proper U47. It can be buttery and present, or in your face and aggressive.
It’s fairly safe to say that without this microphone, so many of the recordings we know and love today might not have been the same!
Cheers Neumann!
Marco
Here’s a closer look at one of our lovely fully discrete Neve 33118 modules from our 1977 custom 53 series console.
Along with the 33114/33115’s these Class a/b mic pre/eq modules share the same preamp as the legendary 1081 recording consoles but have their own unique inductor based EQ/filters which offer a rich, powerful, clear and versatile up-front tone that’s up there with the best.
Loaded with juicy Carnhill and Belclere transformers, these modules are among some of the best mic pre/eq’s around for drums and guitars - especially when driven hard - and can be as smooth and round on vocals as anything out there.
If you like the sound of Neve, then this is your guy - Luckily our console is loaded with them!
For more info on our console, and to book your session head to the profile link☝️
Some may be curious what Mark Thompson - Snap's founder and former "Funkmeister in Chief" at Funky Junk (until he rode off into the sunset a few years back) has been up to?
Well, here’s the answer . . . he’s been beavering away over his laptop revising a series of novels written over the last decade or two.
The first of these . . . KRILL . . . is due to be published at the end of September. For the curious, or those with time on their hands, a free pre-publication Audiobook or eBook can be downloaded here www.em-thompson.com.
Something for nothing, eh? Can’t be bad.
Wonderful session last week recording with for an upcoming film.
Beibei is a truly unique artist who creates emphatic percussive sounds from traditional and unconventional instruments and methods.
We heard sounds that we’ve never heard before in our room! An absolute treat to listen to and record.
Recording such dynamic sources is a huge challenge and involves a lot of creative engineering to get things right. It’s a session we will remember for time to come!
📷
Engineer
Asst Eve Morris
Hello! Listen up 📣
If you’re looking to record in August, we’ve got some good news 😌
We’re offering a 20% discount on bookings of 3 or more days.
For more than 7 days it’s 30% off
Come and use our gorgeous 70s Neve, vintage mics, drums, synths, Bosendorfer grand piano and Eavestaff upright.
All the gear. All the good vibes.
Our space is relaxed and comfortable, and the rooms sound great.
Come make a record with us!
Lots of vibe in the studio this week ✨🔮
We’re deep into tracking mode with plenty of fun ahead.
We still have a handful of days left in July so get in touch to book before they go!
We are also running another one of our special offers on studio time through August with dates filling fast.
Get in touch through the website for more info ✌🏼
Good morning 🌞
We’re firing up all the outboard turning up the air con to keep things chill.
We still have great deals available on studio time across the summer months.
Get in touch to discuss your project with us 🌞
Hello hello from behind the Neve 👋
We’re still running some excellent deals for independent artists looking to record this month, so please get in touch for prices and info!
Wishing you all an excellent and creative week ahead.
#1969
From the Neve’s driving seat.
Reminding you all that we’re offering a massive 20% discount on multi day bookings until the end of the month.
Still a few dates left so give us a shout 🗣️
Happy Friday friends.
Just a little reminder that we’re offering a massive 20% discount on bookings until the end of May 🥳
Get in touch for more info!
Happy Monday and happy Springtime.
We’re offering 20% off studio hire up until the end of May for all bookings of 3 or more days.
This is an unsigned only offer and it’s first come first served, so get in quick!
Thanks to all of our clients and friends who continue to support Snap!
#1176
Good morning. And happy British Summer Time!
It’s been a long cold winter, but we’re here to bring some sunny joy.
We’re launching an exciting offer on studio time later today. Sign up to our mailing list and we’ll see you in the studio soon 😎
Starting the week off with some wonderfully played jazz. Musicians all live in the room is a beautiful thing 🤍
📷
Another week of drums and strings. The best combo.
We love string sessions at Snap, and are kitted out for up to 16 players.
The natural and balanced tone of our live room sounds great with a quartet or even larger ensembles.
Photo by from the Bill Fay LP tracking session here at Snap
Welcome 2023 ✨
We’re straight back in to tracking, and firing up all the tubes to keep things toasty.
There’s still a few dates left through January so get in touch and come record with us!
#1969
We recently added a beautiful and unique Fender Rhodes Seventy Three to our collection complete with ✨Silver Sparkle ✨ top.
It’s not quite ready to go into the studio yet but we thought the sparkle was too festive to not share! It matches our Rogers kit perfectly!
We’ve had a few repairs done on the keyboard but it’s still not tip top yet 😞 so if anyone can recommend a good Rhodes tech in North London please let us know!
In the meantime we can all marvel at the sparkle 💖
167 Hermitage Road
London
N41LZ
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Hiya. Last few dates remaining on this offer!�Give us a shout and let’s make something ace.� We are offering a discount on all our remaining days in June due to a cancellation. Potentially EXCELLENT news for you if you’re looking to record. �We can arrange for the Euros to be on in the control room too if you like! ⚽ Get in touch through our website or give us a call. Cheers Team Snap x��*Prices Exc VAT @ 20%*
Tile room Drums! We’re often asked about how our Tile Room echo chamber sounds on drums - so here she is, sitting alongside one of our beautiful vintage kits. We built our chamber almost by accident when we were putting the studio together 15 years ago. There was an old toilet block to the side of our store room which sounded pretty cool - so we decided to tile it all from floor to ceiling and run some tie lines to it. Now it sits permanently on the patch with a 3 way speaker and pair of mics in there, ready to send whatever you want to it from the Neve. Snare drums, guitars, vocals, strings.. They all come back with a bit of 60s charm - with a tone totally unique to Snap! If you like your drums dry - fear not. We have some beautiful vintage kits including 1960s Ludwig’s and Rogers, and 80s Sonorlite, and our live room is tight, controlled and warm. Our 70’s Neve and vintage mic collection will help to take care of the rest. This recording was made with the brilliant Ben McKone playing our Ludwig super classic. Mics were Fet47 Kick, Beyer M88 Snare and RCA44BX mono OH Juicy. If you’re looking to record drums with us - get in touch for more info and special self funded deals ☺️ · 1970s Neve recording console and outboard · Extremely quiet and private recording spaces · Huge selection of unique vintage gear · Highly experienced engineers · Off-street parking and ground floor access · Competitive and sensibile rates #recordingartist #analog #vintageneve #analogue #londonstudio #londonmusic #recordingstudios #pianorecording #studiogoals #vintageaudio #neveconsole #recordingstudio #recordingengineer #soundengineer #musicproducer #recordingartists #soundengineers #recordinggear #locationhire #studiotime #musicproduction #studiogoals #londonpiano #piano #filmhire
Solo piano recording deals available! Come and record on our beautiful Bösendorfer 225 or Eavestaff Minipiano. All audio recordings are made with our exceptionally high quality audio chain, with the finest microphones, vintage Neve/Telefunken pre/eqs, Prism converters and ATC monitoring. · 1970s Neve recording console and outboard · Extremely quiet and private recording spaces · Huge selection of unique vintage gear · Highly experienced engineers · Off-street parking and ground floor access · Competitive and sensibile rates
We made a short film about our studio! Take an inside look at the unique space, features and philosophy behind our North London Recording Studio. Filmed across a week in July 2022, this short film talks you through the equipment, space and unique features of our studio. In 2010 at a time when most independent studios were closing down, we set out with the ambition of building a studio which offered the best classic gear, a strong creative vibe and old school values - all at an accessible and affordable price. In the 12 years since opening, we are proud to have won various awards including Audio Pro International's 'Best New Studio' and the MPG Award for 'Studio Of The Year' alongside countless number one selling records. Our services have expanded to offer multi-room bespoke setups for writing and tracking sessions in addition to Commercial, Film and Location Hire, whilst still maintaining our commitment to supporting self funded and independent projects. We hope you enjoy learning a bit more about us and our space! For more information including booking enquiries please contact us on: +44 7545 599040 [email protected] Credits: Produced by Alpha Bravo Studios (London) Producer/Director - Jai Garcha Director/Post-production - Jeremie Brivet Director of Photography - Matt Butler Production Assistant - Joseph Mutale Recording Engineer/Studio Manager: Marco Pasquariello Recording Engineer/Assistant: Francesca Edwards Recording Engineer: Billy Foster Vocals: Alice Heather - https://soundcloud.com/itsalicemc Piano: Ajimal - https://www.ajimal.co.uk Guitar: Louis Milburn - https://follygroup.bandcamp.com Drums: Ben McKone - https://www.instagram.com/benjimck1/?hl=en
Here's how Andrew of Instruments Lab set up the magnetic piano resonator on our Bösendorfer. We'll post in the comments a video of how it's sounding. http://instrumentslab.org/research/mrp.html
Great video recently filmed at Snap for Shure UK. 'Born To Perform' features London-based two piece DOLLS in our live room. Give it a watch!
The Return of Three Blind Mice
Old Street
