MONNOW VALLEY STUDIOS, WALES

Since opening its doors in 1975, heritage studio Monnow Valley in South Wales, less than 3 miles away from the idyllic market town of Monmouth, has been one of the UK’s leading residential facilities, playing host to artists including Black Sabbath, Oasis, Robert Plant, Simple Minds and Biffy Clyro. Set amongst 400 acres of stunning countryside in an area of outstanding natural beauty, this is an amazing, exclusive, rural retreat just an hour and a half outside London.

Monnow Valley Studio partners with Andrew Scheps’ Punkerpad West

Producer/ Mixer Andrew Scheps who first worked there in 2007, returned on numerous occasions in the interim years and has now relocated his vintage Neve studio from Los Angeles, California to Monnow Valley. “I fell in love with the rooms at Monnow Valley” he explained, “and immediately knew the Neve would sound amazing there. When my move to the UK became concrete, I called Jo (Riou – studio owner) and we struck the deal. It’s great to finally see it sitting next to one of my favourite live rooms.”

 

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Andrew has spent the last 20 years putting his studio together, rescuing gear from studios forced to shut their doors such as Sound City, Oceanway Recording and Signet Soundelux. The centrepiece of his collection and the re-fit is a 64 channel Neve 8068 Mk II complete with Flying Faders. Andrew has also brought a fantastic selection of vintage gear including Pultec and Lang EQs, Urei and RCA limiters, as well as valve classics from Neumann and AKG to sit alongside it.

Additional equipment includes a Neve BCM-10 (pictured) with 10x 1073 modules, a pair of RCA Ku3s and a wide selection of boutique mic’s, compressors and EQs. Full equipment list and studio spec here.

The install was overseen by studio co-manager Tom Manning alongside tech Richard Griffiths (ex Olympic Studios) and engineers Matt Glasbey, Curtis Elvidge, Liam Ross and Beau Blaise. Tom and Andrew designed the new layout, installing Pro Tools HDX2 with 64 i/o. New solid oak flooring has been laid in the control room complementing the unique organic design which flows through the studio. Of course, the enormous trademark cartwheel doors (15 ft high and 17 ft wide) remain and can be closed to partition off the 1,200sq ft live area, enabling variable acoustics between areas.

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Whilst Andrew will certainly be booking the room to produce and record (if it’s available), the studio is 100% open for business. “I suppose, in a way, I’m hoping the room will be too busy for me to get into” says Andrew.

“While many studios are having to diversify or close completely, I am delighted that Monnow Valley will not only continue to provide our clients with a wonderful space to create, but that we have also been able to expand into a place which now surpasses all our expectations” says Jo Riou, “Andrew has brought something very special to this small corner of Wales and our vision is for it to continue for years to come”.

The residential accommodation has also been upgraded but still retains its country house appeal. “Our clients love the home from home vibe at Monnow Valley,” says studio co-manager Megan Griffiths. “We have seven lovely bedrooms, a spacious lounge and dining room, a gym, plus 3 acres of gardens and the beautiful River Monnow (including a mile of game fishing) on our doorstep”. Clients also have the option of sampling bespoke menus created by an in-house chef, or for those on a budget the studio continues to offer comprehensive self catering facilities. “Going residential offers excellent value for money; our rate includes 24/7 lockout, catering, an engineer and full use of all our studio equipment as standard, often for the same price as just 8 hours in a city centre studio. Plus, having just the one studio guarantees artists complete privacy without the feeling of being completely isolated.”

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With its unique live room, picturesque setting and now enviable equipment list, Monnow Valley and Andrew Scheps have combined forces to present a world class facility that offers the very best in vintage and modern residential recording.

To enquire about availability and rates, please contact Megan Griffiths here.