Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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This is different!! Imagine you're in beautiful countryside, miles from anywhere but under your feet is an amazing studio hidden away making this one of the most unusual and interesting studios we've visited*.

Studio owner Paul McCracken says that this is his 4th and very last studio he's building. We can believe him, with so much effort and expense sunk in to this amazing studio it's hard to think of how he could do better.

Are Friends ELECTRIC? is located deep in the rolling and picturesque hills of Southern Devon. Clearly, Paul McCracken and head recording engineer Rob Waite have spared no effort, money and vision in developing this impressive recording and mixing facility.

Equipped with an SSL 8k console (giving 4 stereo busses so great for sending drums down one buss for treatment before injecting back in to the mix etc), tons of excellent outboard that we run through in the video, a nice range of recording spaces most upmarket big city studios would find it hard to compete.

There's a great ambiance, to quote Paul; "The equipment and the environment combine to create the ideal space to realise your artistic vision. AFE is already attracting artists and producers from around the world."

Rob who is the main engineer at the studio has 20+ years of industry experience working with artists including; Kasabian, Foo Fighters, Leona Lewis, Ava Max, Duran Duran, Phil Colins, Bryan Adams, Van Morrison, Cliff Richard, Robert Plant, Pearl Jam, and many more.

The equipment list at Are Friends Electric? includes:

SSL G+4048 loaded with 40 mono and 8 stereo channels featuring Ultimation and Total Recall via the THD Labs Tangerine interface.

1 x Purple Audio MC76
1 x Universal Audio 1176
2 x Empirical Labs Distressor EL8x
1 x Drawmer LX20
1 x Drawmer DL240
1 x Manley Labs Nu Mu
4 x IGS One (500 Series)
2 x DBX 166 (500 Series)
1 x Universal Audio LA2A
2 x Tube Tech EQ1P
4 x Black Lion Audio Bluey
1 x Neve 33609
1 x Smart Research C2
1 x API 2500+

Microphones include:

1 x U47 Fet
2 x U87
4 x Austrian Audio 818
2 x Soyuz 013 Fet
2 x KM184
2 x 12 Gauge Microphones Gold12
1 x SM91
1 x Beta91
4 x Beta58
1 x Beta52
2 x SM57
1 x M201
2 x AT4030
4 x MD421
2 x Extinct Audio BM9

Find out more and arrange your visit to see this studio! https://www.arefriendselectric.studio


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* Check Master Chord Studios in London for a similar but different studio concept.