Recording Studio Sweet Spot — Wisseloord BV, The Netherlands

Reinvention can be a beautiful thing. As the New Year approaches, consider a personal renovation on the level of Wisseloord BV in The Netherlands.

This studio didn’t sit on the laurels it gathered up since its original launch in 1978. A total transformation completed in 2012 has rendered it as beautiful as it is technologically advanced – and just as important, this dream facility puts its people and artists first.

The custom API Vision desk in Wisseloord’s Studio 2 allows for simultaneous mixing in stereo and surround.

Facility Name: Wisseloord BV

Website: http://www.wisseloord.nl

Location: Catharina van Renneslaan 10, 1217 CX Hilversum, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands

Neighborhood Advantages: The studio is located in a small media-town, surrounded by woods. Amsterdam City is only 30 min away.

Date of Birth: 25-03-2012

Facility Focus:

• Tracking (all genres)
• Scoring
• Mixing in all audio formats possible
• Mastering in all audio format possible
• Events
• DVD & BluRay production including project management

Studio 1 is helmed by a special edition of the Avid (Euphonix) System 5.

Mission Statement: Wisseloord is a professional studio facility located in Hilversum, the media capital of The Netherlands, just 25 minutes from Amsterdam, tucked away in a lush, green neighborhood.

Built in 1978, Wisseloord has a rich, celebrated history in the music business, and since 2012, it now houses the advanced technology and aesthetic that will take it into the future.

Wisseloord has been more than just renovated; it has been transformed.  The old soul of Wisseloord still remains  – the relaxed atmosphere and the vintage vibe.  Just check out our collection of vintage instruments, amplifiers, and outboard gear, if you need convincing.

But taking a peek under the hood, you’ll discover that the entire facility has been meticulously outfitted with everything necessary to make a giant leap into the future.

What do we mean, exactly?  Well, it’s our belief that, just as in the world of picture where HD, 3D, 4K, 8K are becoming household terms, the world of consumer audio is evolving, heading into the world of high resolution – 5.1, 10.1, 96K, 192K, DXD, and beyond.  It’s a world where the consumer listening experience is coming ever closer to what artists and musicians have always enjoyed while working in the studio.

Working in these cutting edge formats can be challenging, there’s nothing to hide behind anymore.  Flaws in the recording or mixing or mastering processes are shown in sharp relief in the end product.  But, boy, when you get it right from beginning to end, the results are breath-taking!

Our historic studios have been refitted from literally the ground up – new foundations, isolation, power, acoustics, cabling, consoles, monitor systems.  No detail has been overlooked to ensure that we get your project right, right from the start.  Combine these new tools and technology with an experienced team that’s been working in high-resolution technology since its inception, and you’ve got a formula for making great recordings, now and in the future.

We’re very proud of Wisseloord and its impressive history.  Now, with our new studios and state-of-the-art tools, we look forward to carrying on its music-making tradition in today’s challenging industry.  Many legends have sat down here to be inspired by the acoustics, the technology, and the relaxed environment.  We welcome you to join us and become part of Wisseloord’s bright future.

1600 sq. ft. of live sound recording distinguishes Studio 1.

Clients/Credits:

— Artist: The Common Linnets, Album: The Common Linnets, Credits: recording – mixing – mastering

— Artist: Anouk, Album: Paradise And Back Again, Credits: vocal recording – mastering

— Artist: Lori Lieberman, Album: Bricks Against The Wall, Credits: mastering (stereo – 5.1)

— Artist: Ozark Henry, Album: Stay Gold, Credits: mastering

— Artist: Tiësto, Album: Element Of Life, Credits: mixing & mastering in 5.1 & Auro3D

— Artist: Mando Diao, Album: Aelita, Credits: mixing & mastering in stereo, 5.1 & Auro3D

— Artist: The New Your Voices, Album: Let It Snow, Credits: mastering & mastering in stereo & 5.1

— Artist: David Garrett, Album: Garrett vs Paganini, Credits: additional violin recording – mixing & mastering in stereo & 5.1

Key Personnel:

• Ronald Prent: Partner & Head Engineer recording and mixing engineer.
• Darcy Proper: Partner & GRAMMY Award-winning mastering engineer.
• Frederic Gervais: commercial management
• Rob Sannen: operations management
• Astrid Verhoeff: administration & backoffice management

Studio 4, The “Vintage Room”, rocks with a 16-channel Neve 8014 with 1073 preamps, plus a 1960’s EMI RS147 12-channel discrete solid state console. A Studer A80MKII 2-inch 16 track and A800mkII 1-inch 8-track add to the analogness. (Photo credit: Katja Rupp)

System Highlights:

• Consoles:
  • Studio 1: Euphonix System 5 single core fully loaded
  • Studio 2: API Vision 48 channel,
  • Studio 4: Neve 8014 16 channels & EMI RS147 12 channels
  • Mastering rooms: SPL MM1 & SPL MMC2
• Monitoring:
  • All controlroom have PMC monitoring powered by Bryston amps
  • Both mastering rooms have Eggleson Works Savoy monitoring powered by Krell amps
• Clocking: Antelope 10M as house-clock, Antelope Trinity in all rooms
• Cabling: all analogue cabling is done with custom designed Grimm Audio TPR16
• Personal mixing: eight Aviom A360 Personal Mixers, plus additional Aviom A-1611 Personal Mixers
• The studio has an extensive collection of vintage guitar- and bassamplifiers, acoustic & electric guitars, 2 rhodes, a wurlitzer and a hammond B3. See the full collection.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The studio has a big history in the music industry. The building breeds creativity and team spirit. The complex has a separate “wing”, which is rented out to songwriters, freelance producer-engineer, postproduction companies and business-related management offices.

There is a restaurant attached to the studio, which is the meeting point of all the tenants. Business starts at the bar!

The building is on fire, you only have time to grab ONE thing to save, what is it? The staff. And if there’s more time, all the wines.

Rave Reviews: The atmosphere & personal flexible way of handling sessions always come first. Great gear and superb acoustics contribute to being able to work efficient and relaxed.

Most Memorable Session Ever: A world famous DJ mixing his tracks, his laptop is seated on the center section of our API Vision. His minijack output goes straight into the monitoring system…

Session You’d Like to Forget: Yet to be booked.

Dream Session: Madonna colaborating with Tower of Power, doing a live worldwide broadcast in hi resolution audio & video.

— Rob Sannen, Operations Management, Wisseloord Studios

Mastering 1 is positively luxurious.

Another perspective on Studio 2’s custom API.

In need of amps?

Please note: When you buy products through links on this page, we may earn an affiliate commission.