Scotland’s Studio is a brand new, state-of-the-art recording facility purpose built for the world-renowned Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Located in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland’s UNESCO City of Music, the studio builds on existing infrastructure like the RSNO Centre which opened in 2015, and features not only cutting-edge mixing technology, but the RSNO’s New Auditorium: an acoustically adjustable and flexible space, ideal for the specialised production of recordings for film and television soundtracks as well as hosting educational projects.
This unique integration of the latest production technology with the highest quality musicians in an acoustically excellent space, positions the studio as a “one stop shop” able to provide full end-to-end production for industry.
A key ambition of the Studio is that it will become the go-to studio for film and game industry soundtrack recording outside of London, the RSNO being the only orchestra in the UK with a fully functioning recording facility that can record sound to picture. The studio will also be open to other Scottish based orchestras and musicians, giving them access to not only a world-class recording studio, but also allowing them to advance within the creative industries.
Scotland is increasingly becoming a popular destination for film, TV and video game productions and Scotland’s Studio is in a prime position to contribute to this development. The RSNO has an established track record and strong brand recognition for its recording work, especially in film and video games, with the orchestra credited on re-recordings of classic scores such as Vertigo and being conducted by film score icons such as Jerry Goldsmith. The studio will allow the RSNO to embark on bigger and more challenging projects within these industries and this new income stream will prove invaluable in supporting the RSNO’s charitable mission, as ventures such as touring and larger scale performances continue to be affected by the ongoing pandemic.
The Studio will also become home for the RSNO’s digital educational projects such as music apps for children. The space’s cutting-edge technology has potential to become a pioneering learning space for audio and sound design students from Scotland’s Universities and colleges, supporting the next generation of Scotland’s film industry by providing them with first-class experience in music production and audio engineering.
The studio would not have been possible without a legacy from regular concert attenders Iain and Pamela Sinclair, both of whom the main control room has been named after, as well as the many individuals who donated to the New Home appeal, our partners at Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government. Scotland’s Studio is partially supported by the DigitalBoost Development Grant.
Alistair Mackie, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra said:
In Scotland’s Studio we’ve created a state-of-the-art facility that will give the RSNO another string to its bow in the post-pandemic landscape as the only orchestra in the UK with its own recording studio, while also giving Scotland’s developing film industry a new facility to support its offer nationally and internationally.
The first major collaboration with a film composer and studio production recently took place, testing and verifying the quality of the facilities at Scotland’s Studio.
Scotland born composer and conductor Blair Mowat, who works almost exclusively in film and tv scores conducted the RSNO recording his soundtrack to the new Sky TV Christmas special ‘The Amazing Mr Blunden’ airing in December this year.
Richard Kaufman conductor and former Vice President for music at MGM Studios said:
Composers, production companies, and ultimately film music audiences will find the artistry of the RSNO and their recording of original film music a truly extraordinary experience.