AIR Studios acquires Alchemy Mastering
Posted on: Wednesday 19th of August 2020
One of the world’s most iconic recording facilities, the legendary AIR Studios, has revealed its acquisition of Alchemy Mastering today. The new mastering operation will be branded as Alchemy Mastering at AIR. The high-end audio mastering outfit has gone from strength to strength throughout its 22-year history, establishing a distinct reputation as one of the most forward-thinking studios in the industry.
Following the acquisition, AIR will continue its mastering operations while expanding their current facilities at the iconic Lyndhurst site. Meanwhile, a part of the team led by Alchemy’s founder Barry Grint will remain at their current Hammersmith location with a view to joining at the AIR headquarters in the near future.
Once the move is completed, the Alchemy Mastering at AIR facilities will be particularly well placed, with several major labels now relocating their operations from West London to areas like King’s Cross.
AIR Studios was founded by legendary Beatles producer and Oscar-nominated composer Sir George Martin in 1970 and started its mastering operation at the Lyndhurst site in 2006 with Ray Staff.
AIR Mastering specialises in all formats of analogue and digital mastering, having worked with artists David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, George Michael, Nile Rodgers, John Coltrane, and Echo & The Bunnymen, to name but a few. Their film and TV soundtrack portfolio includes titles such as Alien: Covenant, Loving Vincent, Doctor Who, His Dark Materials, Dracula, and the 2017 Ivor Novello nominated score High-Rise.
Alchemy’s Barry Grint has worked on over 20 UK Number One records and more than 100 UK Top Ten hits with the likes of Madonna, Prince, Oasis, Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Paul McCartney. More recently Barry has worked with George Ezra, King Krule, Kamasi Washington, Tom Odell, and Tom Walker. His co-founder Phil Kinrade has mastered projects for Elton John, Blondie, The Specials, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, and Donna Summer.
“The acquisition made sense to us from the very start, not only because of AIR’s reputation but also due to the huge potential to expand with our new team,” said Barry Grint. “Having new mastering rooms with an owner who’s prepared to put in the investment is key. I want to be able to look back at this new generation of phenomenal mastering engineers and, recognising in them the people that the record companies want to be working with, to know they have a brilliant facility to boot.”.
“This acquisition will undoubtedly improve our mastering operation,” says Stephen Burgess, a member of the AIR Board of Directors. “The move bolsters our commitment to taking AIR into a new era of performance while preserving its iconic status among the world’s finest studios.“
Following the studios’ change in ownership in 2018, AIR has been actively operating to strengthen its new and existing channels through strategic development and new partnerships.
