Established in 2014, Backstreet Studios have been providing recording services, rehearsal space and more recently PA hire to musicians across the North East.
Located behind The Cleveland Hotel in Redcar, the team are all working musicians and, therefore, are aware of the recording processes involved in making music.
The studio has two rehearsal rooms which double as recording rooms. Both are fully equipped with drum kits, bass and guitar amps, a vocal PA with microphones, a separate isolation room which can be used to record drums or vocals, as well as a dedicated listening room to help with mixing and mastering.
Everything is recorded through an analogue/digital hybrid mixing desk into either Logic Pro or Cubase and can cater for any scenario, from solo acoustic acts and MCs to complex band setups in a relaxed environment ensuring that clients get the best outcome.
Like all businesses in the last nine months, the studios have been affected by COVID-19. Backstreet have had to conduct risk assessments which has led to changes such as providing hand sanitiser in all rooms and ensuring all equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitised after each use. Due to social-distancing, they’re only able to open one room at a time as the corridors between the rooms are too narrow to facilitate social-distancing when bands are loading in/out.
The initial government financial support has allowed the business to keep up with the rent, rates and ongoing expenses – but the pandemic has still had a financial impact on the business.
Due to lockdown and the suspension of household mixing, they have had to close. As Jonny puts it: “The arts should be exempt as it’s work”. However, the local Environmental Health department have signed off their risk-assessment allowing the studios to reopen when restrictions ease.
Despite the current climate, the team are looking to the future and they’re working hard to upgrade and improve the facilities for when they can re-open. One of their plans for after lockdown is the implementation of the live-streaming suite with multiple cameras and a link to mixing desk, offering musicians the opportunity to stream a live performance with an on-the-fly mix, or record the performance to stream at a later time with a full mix.
The future is looking exceptionally bright for Backstreet and while they are in unprecedented times, they are focusing their efforts on ensuring their clients can still be the best they can be.
For further information, head to facebook.com/BackstreetRecordingStudio.
