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What happens when two engineers leave a studio they’ve spent years building and start again with one clear goal? Make room for musicians to play together.
Sam Winfield and Tom Millar join Nate, Ben, and Neil to tell the story of The Pines Recording Studio, their new space in the Berkshire countryside. They talk about moving on from Studio 91, turning a old building into a recording studio, and the surprises they found beneath the floorboards.
The conversation moves from construction to the records they want to make there: tracking full bands, finding sounds in a large live room, using bleed creatively, and committing to tones while recording. Sam and Tom also explain how working as a pair helps them adapt to each artist and keep a session moving.
Key Five Takeaways
1. A studio can give artists a change of setting. Sam and Tom wanted The Pines to feel like a place where musicians could step away from daily routines and focus on making music.
2. The room changes the performance. Space for a full band lets players respond to one another, while the live room sound becomes part of what they hear as they play.
3. Building the space took constant problem solving. Keeping the vaulted ceiling, controlling sound, and fixing an unexpected hollow floor all shaped the finished studio.
4. Early decisions can help the rest of a record take shape. Sam and Tom describe dialing in tones during tracking so each new part responds to a sound that already feels like the record.
5. Their approach changes with the artist. They value live performances and creative commitment, while recognizing that some songs and players call for tighter, more isolated tracking.
Resources & Links
The Pines Recording Studio - https://thepinesrecordingstudio.co.uk/
The Pines on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thepinesrecordingstudio/
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Sound Discussion Is: @natekelmesmixes @benhlms @merchantaudioproductions
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