Recording Studios in Manchester

Recent Recording Sessions

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Manchester REcording Studios

Purpose-Built for Music

80 HERTZ was designed and built by George Atkins specifically for music recording — and has been in continuous operation for over twenty years. Our recording studios in Manchester feature a stunning array of live rooms from the large-format 1,000 sq ft Jefferson Live Room to five other areas of dead acoustic. Our live rooms are paired with an extensive high-end mic collection, a wide selection of preamps and in-house instruments and amps.

George’s recording and mixing credits include The Courteeners, Anderson .Paak, GoGo Penguin, Mammal Hands, New Order, DJ Shadow, Lang Lang, Lily Allen, Willy Mason, Frightened Rabbit, Stealing Sheep, Jane Weaver, Rae Morris, and Dwight Trible — alongside over 350 IMDb credits for ADR and post-production sound.

See our full equipment list, music mixing, and online mastering.

Recording Live as a Band

Our recording spaces lend themselves to 25-piece chamber string or brass ensembles, big bands, choirs, video shoots, live streams, and of course bands.

Artists are in their element live and can make great use of our setup. For example, a four-piece band could set up to record their album live, with all members in the same room, but guitar and bass amps housed in isolated booths.

This means the band play together — as they would in the rehearsal room or on stage — but importantly retain acoustic isolation between instruments. This allows for fast fixes, pickups, and drop-ins if someone makes an error, or allows musicians to overdub quickly in situ.

Engineers and producers have full control over the parts due to the acoustic isolation, retaining the ability to push and pull levels of each instrument in the mix without having to deal with spill or other instruments upsetting the balance.

The material recorded can then be mixed as if the band was tracked (recorded each instrument step by step), which obviously requires far more studio time. This recording process empowers artists and producers to capture the all-important performance. 80 HERTZ’s design is sensitive to artists and bands that need to do more with less budget.

Furthermore, the artist and producer get an early picture of the song as a whole, to assess where to go or how to improve. This is essentially how music comes together in the practice room.

These powerful and rather unique options allow album projects or EPs to come together far faster than one would think — saving time and money and crucially not compromising quality.

Traditional tracking methods, starting with the rhythm section and a guide vocal, are still an option but usually incur more studio time.

The Neve Genesys Console

At the centre of everything is our custom Neve Genesys Blue 64 i/o via Dante, with 16 vintage 1084 EQs and 8 Neve 88RS EQs, along with DAW control, total recall, automation and Dante connectivity. The console provides 65-channel analogue summing for Pro Tools Ultimate HDX and Logic Pro X.

The console is paired with high-end analogue outboard from DW Fearn, Neve, API, SSL, Manley, Universal Audio, and Chandler Limited, along with Lynx Aurora(n) and Lavry Gold Savitr digital conversion.

The inspiring 1,000 square foot Jefferson Live Room provides a beautiful natural acoustic and is unique in the North West. The room is consistent with legendary large-format studios such as Abbey Road Studio 2 — globally known for its characterful and sought-after acoustic.

Analogue Tape Recording

Our 2-inch 24-track Otari MX80 tape machine can also act as a front end to Pro Tools HDX Ultimate. We record to tape and commit to digital simultaneously — giving you the benefit of classic tape characteristics as well as the convenience of digital.

A half-inch Otari MTR 12 stereo master recorder is also available, enabling a complete analogue workflow from live room to LP.

Full Equipment List

Facilities & Getting Here

We know that when you’re planning a recording session, you need to know the logistics are sorted.

• Free secure on-site parking with disability access
• Fully wheelchair accessible throughout, including restrooms
• On-site café with hot food and drinks (09:00–13:45 weekdays). Complimentary hot drinks and mineral water throughout sessions
• Public transport: Central Park Metrolink tram stop, 10-minute walk
• Minutes from Manchester city centre — 15 minutes by taxi from Manchester Piccadilly station

Address: 80 HERTZ Studios, The Sharp Project, Thorp Road, Manchester, M40 5BJ

Booking Terms & Conditions

The following is a summary of key terms. Download full terms and conditions.

Free secure on-site parking with disability access. Fully wheelchair accessible throughout, including restrooms. We’re at The Sharp Project, Thorp Road, Manchester M40 5BJ.

The on-site café serves hot food and drinks from 09:00 to 13:45 on weekdays. Complimentary hot drinks and mineral water throughout all sessions.

Pencil bookings can be cancelled without charge. For confirmed sessions: more than 7 business days’ notice receives a full refund or free reschedule; 48 hours to 7 business days’ notice incurs 50% of the session fee; less than 48 hours’ notice or no-show incurs 100% of the session fee.

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