Doug Brady HiFi has been at the forefront of hi-fi retail since the 1960s, witnessing the industry’s rapid growth and evolution. Over the years, we have worked with both emerging and established brands, embracing technologies that begin at the cutting edge before filtering down into more accessible consumer products.
About Abbey Road Studios
Doug Brady HiFi recently had the opportunity to visit the world famous recording studio best known for recording and producing albums by The Beatles, as well as the iconic zebra crossing photograph, now relocated slightly further down the road in the 1970s, Abbey Road remains one of the most celebrated studios in the world.
Steeped in history, Abbey Road Studios, originally named EMI Studios, was the world’s first purpose built recording studio, opening in 1931. It was opened by Sir Edward Elgar and remained operational throughout the Second World War, contributing to troop entertainment recordings during the 1940s. EMI engineer Alan Blumlein patented stereo sound in 1931, although it was not until 1955 that the first stereo records were released.
Renamed Abbey Road Studios in 1976, the site has undergone numerous refurbishments and expansions, maintaining its position at the forefront of recording technology. In 1981, it recorded one of its earliest major film scores, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Early sessions with Elgar used just two microphones to capture an entire orchestra; today, sessions may use 60.
John Williams and George Lucas in the control room for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Nowadays the studio houses over 800 microphones, probably the largest collection in the world with many still in use prized for their distinctive tonal qualities. Abbey Road has continually evolved, from mono to stereo, and from reel to reel tape to digital recording.
A Walkthrough
Walking through the doors of Abbey Road Studios, the walls are lined with images of legendary artists including Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Cliff Richard and Pink Floyd. Iconic film scores such as Harry Potter, Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings have also been recorded here. The sense of history is immediate and unmistakable.
Abbey Road comprises three principal studios, alongside smaller writing rooms and state of the art spaces for mixing, mastering and cutting. Each studio has its own distinct character.
Studio One, with its large space and natural reverberation, is ideal for orchestral recording. Studio Two has been the home of rock and pop since the 1950s, while Studio Three is suited to more intimate sessions.
Studio Two remains remarkably unchanged from the 1960s, when The Beatles recorded there, and is still in high demand among today’s leading artists and producers. We were fortunate to visit this historic space, used by artists including The Beatles and Pink Floyd, and its legacy is palpable.
Roger Waters from Pink Floyd in Studio 2
The room bears the marks of decades of creativity, yet remains a fully functional modern recording environment, comprising a live room with a separate drum booth, as well as a control room. Several instruments used in iconic tracks are also present, including the celeste glockenspiel featured in the famous introduction to Harry Potter, and the Challen piano used in popular Beatles tracks such as A Day in the Life, which still proudly bears cigarette burns from either John or Paul.
We were also lucky enough to spend time with sound engineer Martha in her Studio Two control room, where recording, monitoring, production and mixing take place. Equipped with Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 loudspeakers and some rooms containing Chord Electronic electronics, the room is where recordings are refined into finished works. Martha played several unmixed tracks, offering insight into the recording process and revealing just how strong raw performances can be before production.
The control room of Studio 2.
With access to over 800 microphones, she explained that selection is guided by tonal character and the artistic vision of the session. Much like how a chef chooses the correct ingredients in the kitchen. What may seem like a simple task, placing a microphone in front of an instrument, is in reality highly considered. From my recollection, a piano recording she demonstrated used six or more microphones, combining close mics for detail, ribbon microphones for warmth, and omnidirectional microphones to capture the room’s ambience, creating a rich and layered sound. With only two microphones, it sounded great, if not a little dry, but by adding and layering the additional microphones, the recording became much richer with more added depth and life.
A Long and Trusted History
It was a privilege to learn more about Abbey Road’s relationship with speaker manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins and how their relationship started. Founded in 1966 by John Bowers, the company initially used EMI speaker components before realising the best way forward was to develop their own drive units and so he hired Dennis Ward, the technical manager responsible for drive units at EMI to help build loudspeakers for both professional and domestic use.
The aim was simple, to deliver studio quality sound in the home. The 800 Series reflects this philosophy, designed for both the professional and the home, combining precision with practicality. These speakers must reveal the finest detail while remaining suitable for the relatively small control rooms of studios.
Every component in the 800 Series is designed to be “hotswapped”. If a part fails, it can be swapped without returning the entire unit, an essential feature in a professional environment where downtime is not an option. Since the introduction of the original 801, Abbey Road has continued to use Bowers & Wilkins speakers in its control rooms.
The original 801, introduced during a visit by John Bowers in 1980, marked the beginning of a long standing relationship between the studio and the 800 Series, which continues a 45+ year long relationship to this day.
For the Future
It was an unforgettable experience. While Abbey Road’s history and legacy are rightly celebrated, its continued innovation ensures it remains at the forefront of recording and production. Through initiatives such as Abbey Road Red, the studio continues to push boundaries, shaping the sound of both today’s artists and future generations.
That same pursuit of innovation underpins everything we do at Doug Brady HiFi. Working with leading brands such as YG Acoustics, Lateral Audio and The Chord Company, we bring cutting edge audio technology into the home, from advanced cabinet design and precision engineered stands to high performance cabling. The goal is the same, to deliver the most accurate, engaging and authentic listening experience possible, bringing you closer to the music as it was intended to be heard.