AWARD-WINNING FULL-SERVICE UK AUDIO POST FACILITY GOES BLUE

London’s Music 4 Studio Expansion Includes Upgrade To Multiple Blue Sky Big Blue 5.1/2.1 Systems

By Diane Gershuny

Located in the heart of Soho London, Music 4 Studios provide a full range of audio post-production services—5.1 and stereo mixing, sound to picture (High Definition, SD, QuickTime, etc.), sound design services, voice recording—for some of the biggest names in the business, including the BBC, and a multitude of outstanding independent production companies, advertising and marketing agencies. Music 4’s recent expansion from 1 to 3 studios offered the ideal opportunity to upgrade the spec of their original studio. Part of that enhancement included the installation of two Blue Sky Big Blue 5.1 surround systems for Studios 1 & 2, and a Big Blue 2.1 System for Studio 3.

“Our studio engineer was looking at speaker options and had heard about the Blue Sky speakers through a friend at another facility who had purchased them in the States,” explains Facilities Manager, Sarah Davis. “He requested a demo, and the decision to purchase was almost instantaneous once we heard the speakers in our studios.”

Davis estimates that approximately 40 million listeners weekly hear something created, produced, recorded or even broadcast live from their studios—in the UK alone. “So as a dedicated audio house and music company, the sound that comes out of the speakers is everything for us. The Blue Sky speakers were particularly impressive at all monitoring levels. We also found that a great mix on the Blue Sky’s transferred really well to many other sources right down to built-in speakers on a plasma TV, so they’ve proven to be extremely accurate, too.”

The Blue Sky systems have made an impact on Music 4’s clientele as well. “At Music 4, we are always keen to try new products. Having familiar equipment that is considered ‘industry standard’ is of course important to a point, however when a new product is so impressive, it’s great to be able to jump ahead of the pack. The Blue Sky’s fall into this category. They also act as a conversation point as many clients have never seen them before. Our clients are loving them.”

Forthcoming projects utilizing the new Blue Sky systems include a multi-track 5.1 mix for DVD release for UK dance artist, Faithless (recorded live in Moscow concert), plus a 5.1 mix for English stand-up comedian/musician, Bill Bailey’s forthcoming DVD. Additionally, Music 4 has projects continually in the works with major broadcasters including BBC Radio 1, Capital 95.8 London, ITV and others. They were honored recently with a prestigious broadcast award from the Sony Radio Academy for custom music created for Magic 105.4 radio in London, recorded at Abbey Road and mixed at Music 4 Studios.

back home