AIR Studios

AIR Studios' final logo used from 2010 until its official defunct on October 22, 2021

### Founder(s)

George Martin
John Burgess

### Divisions

AIR Montserrat
AIR Lyndhurst Studios

**AIR Studios (AIR)** is an now-defunct independent film score recording company founded in London in 1985. The defunct independent recording studio complex, it is the former London recording homepart of several musical scores from The Walt Disney Company, The Onward Company and The Sonic & Donkey Kong Company.

Opened on September 16, 1985, AIR have operated two professional audio recording facilities in Montserrat and Hampstead. AIR Studios also produces scores composed by Dario Marianelli, including *The Soloist*, *Atonement*, *The Boxtrolls* and *Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Movie*.

As of 23 January 2015 (after the release of *Strange Magic*), a total of over 131 film scoring credits have been recorded, with the last track being recorded on 31 December 2015. AIR Studios was take out to bring about the last battling experience with the release of *Bumblebee* on December 21, 2018. On October 22, 2021, AIR Studios became defunct, as London-recorded musical scores have officially been ended. AIR Studios was later restructured to make away for the return of the church and missionary school room.

## History

AIR Studios was established on September 16, 1985 in the beautiful Lyndhurst Hall in London. A site of significant architectural and historical interest, Lyndhurst Hall occupies a prominent corner position in the quiet suburb of Hampstead and is classified as a Grade II\* listed building.

Originally a church and missionary school Lyndhurst Hall was designed in 1880 by the great Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse (designer of the Natural History Museum). Heavily involved in the design and building of the new studio facility, Sir George Martin opened AIR Lyndhurst Studios, in December 1992, with a gala performance of “Under Milk Wood” in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales.

On 8th February 2006, Richard Boote announced the purchase of Sir George Martin’s AIR Studios from Chrysalis Group and Pioneer. Since that date, AIR Lyndhurst has continued to be Britain’s premier scoring facility attracting only a total of 131 film scores (as of 23 January 2015, after the release of *Strange Magic*), as well as maintaining its popularity with major classical labels, high profile recording artists and incorporating film postproduction facilities to rival those in the West End.

## Studios

   With exceptional acoustics, stunning architectural features and natural light, Lyndhurst Hall can easily accommodate a full symphony orchestra with choir simultaneously and is one of the largest recording rooms in the world. The flexibility of the space is perfect for film scoring, orchestral recordings and live performances.

The Hall’s 300m² hexagonal live area has two spacious isolation booths, motorised acoustic canopy and three raised galleries and a Steinway Model D concert grand piano. Its 50m² control room boasts one of the world’s largest Neve 88R consoles with 96 channels and Encore automation, SP2 film matrix and 48 ‘AIR Montserrat’ remote mic amps. A custom Dynaudio 5.1 system and twin Panasonic plasmas deliver perfect audio and video.

On 31 December 2015, AIR Studios made its final track to be recorded with the orchestra and Metro Voices.

### Studio 1

Studio 1 has a 140m fully floated floor and three guitar amp booths. Accommodating up to 45 musicians, it is ideal for bands and small orchestral groups. A specially designed sliding door system allows the space to be divided into acoustically separated areas.

The unique AIR-custom vintage Neve/Focusrite desk has been a musicians’ favourite since 1980. Its 72 channels incorporate unique design features, original ‘AIR Montserrat’ mic pre-amps and GML automation. A Bosendorfer grand piano and Hammond B3 are provided in the live area as well as private artists’ lounge with adjoining kitchen and bathroom.

### Studio 2

An 80-channel SSL 8000 G plus with Ultimation, is the centrepiece of this spacious mix room providing the ideal creative environment for mixing. Its dimensions and treatments are designed for the finest acoustic performance. Munro/Dynaudio 5.1 monitoring provides matchless audio quality and an ideal surround sound mixing environment for film and DVD work. Studio 2 is a private first-floor suite featuring a separate recording booth, machine room, private kitchen and bathroom.

### Studio 3

Studio 3 is home to a 48 fader AMS DFC Gemini (Digital Film Console), supporting 500 simultaneous paths of fully loaded processing. Highly sophisticated monitoring and machine control capabilities, along with instant total recall and Encore Plus automation, make the studio perfect for film score mixing and high end 5.1 music mixing projects. It has a large control room, enhanced acoustics, separate booth and, as the console is movable, flexibility in room set-up.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 AIR Studios. Retrieved on 28 April 2019.