LUCKY students from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College’s (SGS) music department enjoyed a trip to Rockfield Recording Studio, where they participated in a two-day recording master class.

The second year students, studying the level 3 Music course at the College's Stroud Campus, worked with world-class record producers and enjoyed hands on experience using professional audio production equipment.

The studio, situated in Monmouth, opened almost 50 years ago becoming the world’s first residential recording studio.

The now famous studios have played host to many of the world’s biggest artists including Oasis, Iggy Pop, Nigel Kennedy and Simple Minds.

In 1975 the studio was also the primary studios used by Queen for the recording one of the greatest pop record of all times ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

SGS is the only College in the country that has access to the prestigious studio, enriching the student experience.

Course Leader, Marc Fairclough, said: “Being someone who is interested in music heritage and the history of record production, I thought it was an incredible experience to learn about the recording techniques and some of the equipment used on many of my favourite albums.”

SGS student, Tim, from Stroud, said: “Rockfield Studios was probably the greatest experience of my life. Never have I learnt more or had so much fun on an educational trip. I learnt a great deal about compression and a full band recording.

“The experience taught me how to deal with microphone spilling and how to effectively mix on a desk, I also learnt about the people involved in the industry and what it takes to work within it.

“Even though it was only two days it greatly increased my people skills as I soon realised the only way to learn and get as much out of the trip as possible was to talk to the engineers and ask as many questions as possible.

“I now have the knowledge and confidence to successfully record any song on my album as a full band. I’m so grateful for experience the tutors and Rockfield have given me.”