Distillery II

Distillery Studios II is a new studio complex located between Bristol and Bath - I took a quick visit down the M4 to meet Andy Leese, Phil Parsons and Matt Tait and find out more behind this exciting new studio and experienced team at the helm.

Andy Leese - Studio Business Manager - previously general manager at RAK Studios with many years experience in publishing/recording with EMI, BMG and Polygram before joining Distillery II Studios.

Phil Parsons - Production Manager & Head Engineer - started his career with Paul Stacey and worked at Metropolis, RAK, ICP and Ocean Sound Recording - has engineered the majority of Distiller artists since joining in 2012, worked on the technical design and installation of the new Distillery II Studios since 2022.

Matt Tait - Technical Director - has over 30 years recording engineering and mixing experience and has been involved in all of Distiller Music’s studio builds over the past ten years, from the technical design through to equipment choices at Distillery II Studios.

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The Design

There are some studios that impress you the moment you walk in, not with flashy lights or oversized branding, but with atmosphere. With intent.

This is one of them.

From the moment I stepped in, it was clear this wasn’t just another recording facility, it was a space built with heart, intention, and a serious eye (and ear) for quality.

“It’s like the old days,” Matt said, gesturing to the soaring ceilings and the beautifully treated walls. “You can do a full rehearsal here. The PA is phenomenal.” 

And just like that, we were off on a behind-the-scenes journey through one of the most thoughtfully designed music spaces I’ve recently encountered...

What first struck me was the sense of space.

The acoustics breathe and sightlines flow seamlessly from control room to floor. “The directive from the owner,” I was told, “was to make sure you could see everything, no dead corners, no isolation.”

PP : "There’s an isolation booth if you want it, not like a closet, but enough to give a bit of separation if you need it.”

Even the logistics have been thought through.

There's a loading bay that fits a lorry, parking out front (a genuine luxury in music cities), and the kind of networked, tie-lined setup that allows for plug-and-play creativity anywhere in the building.

A storage room full of extra outboard equipment all cleverly fitted on rolling racks, so anything from their inventory can be wheeled in to the live room or control room as the artist or engineer desires.

Synths, amps, guitars and MPC's float around the space allowing little areas for creative capture, knowing it can all be dovetailed into the control room.

Commitment Over Convenience

As the tour continued, the conversation turned philosophical, specifically about the way modern recording habits have shifted. It’s a far cry from the sterile, ultra-minimalist studios that often prize aesthetic over soul.

It's clear this facility was designed by people who’ve actually spent time on both sides of the glass, and with the experience of having Andy, Phil and Matt involved you can see this really works.

MT : “You walk in, put a mic up, push a fader, and go... That’s how it should be.”

The Control Room

At the core of Distillery II are three powerhouse consoles, each offering a distinct tonal flavour and workflow to follow this ethos.

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AMS NEVE 53

The Neve is an Ex-Broadcast console sourced from London Weekend Television. This desk has been totally restored by Neve expert Blake Devitt and has been fully refurbished, fully recapped, aligned and modded for studio use. Loaded with 1093 Neve Modules and ideal for tracking.

MT : “This thing just sings."

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UNIVERSAL AUDIO VINTAGE CONSOLE

Slightly softer, more open and with an intriguing creative history from The Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra, this console has been painstakingly restored and configured for modern studio recording.

Originally a 3-channel console it has been updated to 11 with vintage schematics used to create like-for-like channels.

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RUPERT NEVE DESIGNS 5088

In addition to the two smaller desks, the studio features a 32 channel Rupert Neve Designs 5088, providing a modern analogue desk renowned for its uncompromising headroom, wide-open imaging, and transformer-coupled punch. 

The 5088 is a fully discrete, modular, Class-A console, purpose-built for today’s hybrid workflows while staying true to Rupert’s analogue lineage.

The 5088 is currently racked with Shelford 5052 preamp/EQ modules and 5051 compressors.

MT : “This thing doesn’t flinch, it has headroom for days, it’s the best off-the-shelf console on the market today.”

The 5088 was supplied by us at KMR Audio and we tailored the desk to the studio’s workflow and have it ready to integrate with the studio’s existing infrastructure, including custom routing for the Pro Tools hybrid setup and outboard recall paths.

MT : “We did A/Bs with the vintage Neves and the 5088 held its own, just a different flavour. More open, more transparent"

PP : " But with that unmistakable Rupert Neve character.”

Character Over Convenience

The gear list leans vintage, but never for nostalgia’s sake. The team’s ethos is all about musicality, longevity, and serviceability.

With custom racks of vintage outboard and transformer-based preamps alongside carefully selected ribbon, tube, and dynamic mics allow full A/B shootout capabilities.

Partnership with onsite or local maintenance engineers (Neil Perry, and Dave Way) there's no downtime roulette here, with the emphasis on equipment that can be repaired and modded, not replaced.

MT : “We lucked out on a few big pieces which we sourced before prices went nuts. But we only chose equipment gear that would keep its value. If you do it right, you’ll never lose out.”

Distillery II Philosophy

What stood out most during the visit was the philosophy behind the studio, a deliberate shift away from throwaway convenience and back toward commitment.

A creative space for writing, recording, rehearsing and filming.

MT : “A lot of times artists or engineers don’t always commit anymore, they feel they need to keep options open. But you never go back, you always go forward.”

That sense of creative conviction is baked into every inch of the space. It’s a place that encourages people to play, experiment, and make decisions. As Phil mentioned, one visitor noted, “It makes you raise your game.”

This is what a working studio should be in 2025.

Not a museum. Not a tech demo.

But a place where great recordings get made, comfortably, confidently, and creatively.

 

For more info : distillermusic.com/studio