New recording studio for local musicians

Sound engineer Neil Grainey & MC Braj

An exciting new musical project is about to launch in the heart of the community!

The council-run project is a purpose-built recording studio within Matthew Moss Community Centre, on Matthew Moss Lane in Rochdale. It is aimed at giving the residents and youth of the area a chance to work on and take part in making professional recordings.

Matthew Moss Studio has the latest in digital recording equipment, running Pro Tools, which is the standard software used by top producers and artists in the music industry, as well as a control room and a dedicated live room, which have both had extensive acoustic treatment and are of professional recording studio standard. It also has a wide range of equipment usually found in top studios worldwide.

The studio was commissioned and installed by Heywood based company Wigwam Acoustics, who are one of Europe's leading companies for the hire, sales and installation of professional audio equipment and systems.

Matthew Moss Studio manager and in-house sound engineer Neil Grainey, said: “it is an honour for me to be working in such an inspiring environment. The studio has everything an artist of any level needs to put together a top quality recording”.

Mr Grainey, 28, graduated from School of Sound Recording, Manchester in September 2007 and is also singer and guitarist in Failsworth based rock band Gasperilla’, who in 2007 were XFM and BBC competition winners. Mr Grainey said: “Of all the studios I have recorded and worked in, MMS is one of the best. I can’t wait to get recording the undiscovered talent of the local community – my band are practically beating down the studio doors to get in themselves!

“The studio is equipped to record all types of music so it won’t be exclusively aimed at bands. All musicians from any genres are more than welcome to get involved and record their music – we have already had a huge response.”

Heywood based teen MC’s Braj & Kaos recorded four tracks at the studio last week for The Takeover CD, which will be available to buy from Vibes Music Store, Bury town centre and at their performance at Heywood Civic Centre on 30 March. Braj and Kaos hope to get back in the studio as soon as possible: “Recording at MMS with Neil was a top experience, the tracks sound big, he’s done a great job mixing them and we’ll definitely be recording more of our tracks in the studio again soon” said Braj, 18, from Heywood.

Another project at Matthew Moss Community Centre is Fusion Radio (106.3FM). Fusion FM is a chance for you to listen to the views, opinions, culture and ideas of the youth of Middleton, enjoy a wide range of music and talent and be informed of what’s happening for young people in the town.

Since December 2007 over 65 young people from Middleton and the surrounding areas have gained skills and nationally recognised accreditations in Radio Broadcasting, Presenting and Production as part of the Fusion Radio Project – Middleton. These young people will now take over the Middleton airwaves for seven days from Friday 28 March. Braj and Kaos feature on the station on 31 March so be sure to check it out.