RECORDING STUDIO TOUR - StudiOwZ - a converted Welsh chapel - In our top 10 studios list

Deep in South Wales Owain Fleetwood Jenkins has created a fabulous residential recording studio in a now very impressive once abandoned chapel. We had head several producers talk about StudiOwz and were keen to find out more so after a four hour drive arrived on a sunny day and at once felt like a holiday was about to start.
This is a very tucked out of the way studio. In all the time there only one vehicle passed which turned out to be a local farmer. While some distance to travel makes this studio most suitable for artists wanting to be away for a week or more the journey is well worth it - the studio is one of the best musically equipped studios visited and you'll get the idea when you watch this studio tour!
Some of the outstanding instrument selections include a wonderful Bechstein grand piano which has one of the best tones heard, sadly Owain wearing the tie clip mic showing us around hints at just how good it really sounds. We hope to visit very soon to record a feature demonstrating the piano's ability. The selection of drums is very impressive and sadly had to edit out most of Owain demonstrating some of the drums as the lav mic wasn't really capturing it and we, again, will be over to cover the vast range of drums on offer later.
The recording space is very impressive having a lovely smooth sound with loads of height and balcony areas for you to put the choir if you have one or to maybe set up mics in interesting places. There's a small booth for singers and then there's the 'dead room'.. The dead room isn't super dead but is very well controlled. Open one door in the room and there's a well organised collection of mic cables, mics and other 'stuff'. Open the other door and pull out the amazing rack of drums. Not seen that before! Not to forget the range of organs, guitars and amps to choose from - it's the kind of place you can hitch hike to (maybe not so easy out that way) and make a record bringing nothing with you.
Technically, the mic selection is well curated. Some very desirable mics are here. Upstairs, the control room is vast, it's 'airy', sunlight coming in from all four directions giving the space a relaxed and comfortable vibe with the plants everywhere and almost 70's feel, probably due to the large orage sofa and choice of colours. This is one control room that will not feel tiring on a long album project.
One notable feature of the studio is that the control room is possibly the only studio we have visited that faces away from the studio! A nice touch for nervous artists feeling the pressure of a first recording but pressure isn't the kind of thing anyone would feel here.
Owain is to be congratulated, this is one of the finest 'band recording studios' we have visited in a long time. For someone so young to have built this is most impressive. We strongly recommend this studio and hope that you enjoy the tour around, maybe call Owain up after and set up a trip to check it out.
StudiOwz website: studiowz.co.uk
Please subscribe and click the notification bell to our channel: kzbin.info_c...
Website: www.RecordProduction.com

[@jimthesalad]

This is basically asmr for audio recording enthusiasts. His voice, the pauses/silences after each sentence and the love with which he talks about his equipment. I love it!

[@Zif-the-Old-Herring]

I wanted to say that first ! I realized at any moment we could be lost in the kindness and love felt for the instruments and PLACE and never know how much time has passed. A beautiful space for the Muses to willingly give all.

[@Chris-sv8ty]

Also he looks like frank zappa

[@compucorder64]

It's true. I should be getting ready to head out to see a concert. But I watched this before :) Now I'm in a semi-trance struggling to snap out of it; and wake up to go out.

[@AndrewMasters]

cool

[@spamsponge]

Even if I didn’t want to record music I’d still want to hang out in such a place. Beautiful environment! It reminds me of my old school a bit which was right next to the church.

[@joelglaser5657]

What an amazing space!

[@eithafol7742]

Da iawn Owz .. classic chilled out west wales muso!

[@jolygoodshow]

Great tour :) When he glossed over the guitars I was like "Noooooo go back!"

[@tibetbukan8360]

I would live here forever

[@RecordProduction]

Isn't it great?! :-)

[@FOH3663]

Extraordinary! Just oozing 70's everything top to bottom ... the vibe goes to 11, so nice. From the Swiss Favag, to the big Tannoys, it's all just right. The impact of the deadroom visuals is just like its acoustic, ... powerful. The natural light filling the space from multiple directions, all overwhelmingly welcoming and pleasant. Dig the deliberate and understated approach to both the capture and presentation of this video, ... all combined with the appearance and calm, thoughtful insights of engineer Owain Fleetwood Jenkins ... all of this fascinatingly, the aesthetic is period correct! All this vibe is ripe for a film shoot, still photography ... anything, whatever avenue shares this texture, life, art, and creativity ... this place is oozing wonderfulness. Owain Fleetwood Jenkins, you sir are one compelling individual. What you've created is extraordinary. We're it not for several thousand miles, I'd book a few days simply to hang with you and talk all things studio! Thank you for sharing. Much appreciated, all the best.

[@RecordProduction]

Thanks for your really nice words and really pleased you like the studio as much as we do :-)

[@zanarirecords]

What a beautiful space

[@Cchogan]

I loved the Bechstein at IBC/Portland Recording Studios. Sounded just like that! Though it stunk of Beer because Chas and Dave used it. It also didn't have much varnish left. A friend bought it. When Bechstein came to look at it they were stunned because it had a 4 number code - most have 6 number - so it was very early. But it had sat in the same studio room for decades. Pianos like that. The studio also had a honky tonk with a leaver to drop down the rail of pins.

[@lowandodor1150]

Swee heat! The control room, those windows! The social. room, what a dream place!

[@LeeGee]

Beautiful

[@RecordProduction]

One of our new favourites 😎

[@Paulkatz123]

This is a brilliant video

[@RecordProduction]

Thank you! It’s great that you like it, we really love this studio and look forward to som recording workshops at StudiOwz soon 🤞

[@aidanod]

What a beautiful and peaceful studio - and that “spice rack” vintage drum storage cupboard is genius!

[@RecordProduction]

It really is!

[@LowerBourne]

To be seen to be believed. Like the rest of the studio building.

[@sl3102]

Seems like a great place and an equally great bloke!

[@RecordProduction]

100% yes!

[@OverdriveMusic]

Love this channel ❤❤

[@RecordProduction]

Thank you so much!!!

[@edglue6138]

Cool studio and accommodation And a cool dude 🤘🏻🏄‍♀️

[@stevem-h3562]

Very nice. Following the sad demise of Monnow Valley, this looks like a really nice place.

[@FLH3official]

I realy like the atmosphere of this studio and this soft spoken guy. That's so rare in this show-off world.

[@RecordProduction]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching - look out for an upcoming keyboard recording feature that we filmed at the studio, probably up here in a month 🙂

[@PrantoKoX]

If Syd Barrett came back, young and with a moustache, and decided to calmly open a Syd-solo-era-correct recording studio... 😉 LOVELY video, place, gear, vibe, attitude. 👌 Also, the green/brown stripey walls of the dead room really do remind me of the legendary painted floorboards in Syd's flat in Wetherby Mansions, from The Madcap Laughs album cover photo session by Mick Rock. Was almost expecting a mirror Telecaster to be the next to be pulled out of that guitar rack! 😉 Jokes aside, thanks for this, so refreshing and comforting to see a studio like this in the era of LED lit Star Wars "producer" studios or hipster designed instagrammable studios that all look the same amd feature the same gear.

[@LowerBourne]

I love this description of Owain! 'Genius' without 'the madness' (alleged) bit.

[@bobrv8]

Watching this from my little home studio in Haverfordwest just a short drive form this lovely studio. Wonderful tour - thank you.

[@RecordProduction]

Glad you enjoyed it - you're lucky to live in such a lovely area!

[@bobrv8]

We are Owain

[@jmsdeco]

Beautiful studio !!!

[@RecordProduction]

One of the best. Affordable and like a mini RAK in the countryside.

[@gmichaelhall]

This video touches on several key topics worthy of discussion. I’d love to hear more about this man’s experiences and perspectives regarding his piano captures. I typically run to to an M-S setup using an Elam in Omni and an M49b in F8 and start looking for a sound toward the end of the cabinet, typically for smooth darkish pop or rock. His choice to use a stereo ribbon that self encodes is really intriguing. I’d love to hear various setups including his Polish made ribbon to compare and try to hear what he’s hearing. Very interesting engineer and a stunning setup ❤❤❤ Great video Mike, let’s hear more from this remarkable guy!

[@RecordProduction]

We are planning to visit again soon to record piano (and drums, and Hammond..) - that piano sounds fabulous, as soon as Owain played the low C it sounded just like my favourite Supertramp record. Maybe you might like to join us when we visit, really appreciate your input 🙂

[@gmichaelhall]

@@RecordProduction I’m humbled and honoured by your suggestion to share in a discussion with such esteemed company. I find this engineer absolutely intriguing and I’m certain his work is remarkable and much can be gained from studying his work and understanding his approaches in detail. Your post shall be the cloud I walk upon for the remainder of the day. Thank you Mike, I’ll be touch regarding your offer! Regards, Gene

[@LowerBourne]

@@RecordProduction He's an extraordinary man and it is an extraordinary studio (with incredibly well chosen kit and equipment) and it is my pleasure and honour to visit regularly with bands and musicians. The studio itself and the adjoining home (and residential) are as inspiring as Owain (and Jodie). Great to see this video.

[@realityboost4405]

If you are a member of a 2023 teenage band I hope you're watching this…Playing/Rehearsing your music here surely would be a life-changing experience!

[@OverdriveMusic]

23:59 Must be the Microtech Gefell UMT70S Wonderful mics!

[@preciseaudioblog]

Outstanding piano! Love the studio!

[@m.o.n.d.e.g.r.e.e.n]

omgx love this place

[@salthedrummer1]

WOW Awesome studio!

[@shadowkyd]

Killin it bro

[@alvaroescribano4587]

Fantastic place!

[@philipbard2333]

What a wonderful space he has built. Thanks for sharing.

[@ronfrancois]

Proper job! A perfectly appointed studio.

[@paullawson8610]

Looks a great place to record and I love Wales I might need to speak to this chap

[@RecordProduction]

He’s a really nice guy and am sure Owain would welcome you for a visit to check it out - well worth the drive!

[@stevem-h3562]

Wessex was where Talk Talk did Colour of Spring and Spirit Of Eden, if I recall correctly.

[@Shred_Rocket]

Awesome, just plain awesome!!!

[@RecordProduction]

Must visit Owain’s studio, it’s great in so many ways!

[@oceansiderecordingstudio]

That was beautiful ❤

[@RecordProduction]

Thanks for watching, we are planning a follow up visit to the studio at the end of August to record a keyboard and piano feature so please subscribe so you don't miss that - intrigued about that cool looking ribbon mic :-)

[@TheLeon1032]

ahh bloody hell mun this guy is a beauty, what a legend with a great lush vibe, glad i found this, i live in cornwall but visit my family in south wales often and sometimes i feel like a day in the studio with a chill engineer so i can write n experiment, i think i just found it, many thanks

[@RecordProduction]

Couldn't agree more! Watch out for some new videos shot at the studio with Owain - Piano recording feature will be live this week and a further video with Hammond etc in a month..

[@TheJonathanlewis1000]

Great Studio- Pob lwc.

[@pappyprimetime7510]

Dude reminds of the Portlandia studio sketch.

[@gibsonprs]

He looks like Justin Hawkins in disguise.. sick studio though

[@joshkorody7376]

What a dream. Only concern about doing something like this, other than financial is how often people will travel to get there

[@LowerBourne]

I have travelled there with numerous musicians for 4 or 5 years now and any of them return several times and are happy to do so. Rest assured, it is worth it. In every respect.

[@lowandodor1150]

You should include the studio's website in the description, if they have one that is =)

[@RecordProduction]

Oops. Now fixed. Thanks 🙏

[@lowandodor1150]

@@RecordProduction Swee heat!

[@stuartbruce1509]

Looks great. When do we go and do a piano recording there?

[@RecordProduction]

Very soon!!

[@plummetplum]

Wow what a studio. How could he even afford to start this.

[@LowerBourne]

A lot of hard work, self-refurbished with his father. Since then constant maintenance and buying pieces when he can afford to. Every piece of equipment is very carefully considered, selected and maintained. The website tells the story. It's worth it. I (and we) love it.

[@antoniog2854]

what mics are those at 24:00 ?

[@pdmcrew80]

Microtech Geffell UMT 70 S i think. One of my favorites ever.

[@antoniog2854]

@@pdmcrew80 TY!🙂

[@paulandreas7955]

i watch a lot of studio tour, and one question remains. How do they afford thos big studios? hpw at tthe age of 30 can he have this studio already?

[@RecordProduction]

No idea but this is well out of the way and therefore much more affordable - it's an incredible studio.

[@paulandreas7955]

@@RecordProduction it is indeed. Was just wondering..

[@wildskel6350]

Must have a l0ad 0f cash behind him, but it l00ks great.

[@hosoiarchives4858]

. 2:42

[@plummetplum]

Why is the clock ⏰️ stopped?

[@FLH3official]

Just bo be perfectly accurate twice a day, obviously/

[@MegaMixking]

brilliant