Business Details
Professional Recording Studio in Southampton
Blackhill Studios was founded to provide a creative sanctuary for artists, songwriters, and bands seeking professional recording services in a relaxed environment. Established by Tom Gibson, a Tonmeister graduate with over a decade of industry experience, the studio combines modern and vintage equipment to deliver radio-ready productions. Our expertise spans recording, mixing, mastering, and artist development, supported by strong local ties to universities and the Southampton music scene. We prioritise songwriting integrity and offer impartial industry guidance, having collaborated with emerging talents and established names like Craig David and Birdy.Our facilities include acoustically treated spaces for recording vocals and instruments, complemented by remote mixing/mastering services accessible globally. We actively foster Southampton's music community through networking events and educational initiatives, ensuring artists receive tailored support from pre-production to final release.
Services
Recording
Mixing & Mastering
Artist Development
Production Tuition
Voiceovers
Highlights and features
- We offer 12+ years of industry experience with top producers like Mark Hill and Chris Neil
- Our studio combines modern technology with vintage equipment for unique sound quality
- We provide impartial industry advice and artist development support
- Our acoustically treated rooms ensure optimal recording conditions
- We offer remote mixing/mastering services accessible globally via high-quality audio links
What people say
Professional facilities
Expert industry guidance
Creative atmosphere
Radio-ready productions
Strong local connections
Services
Recording
Our acoustically treated recording rooms capture pristine audio for vocals, instruments, and full bands. Using professional microphones and preamps, we ensure optimal sound quality at source. The live room accommodates everything from solo artists to orchestral ensembles, while the vocal booth provides articulate recordings without claustrophobic effects. Clients benefit from Tom's expertise in microphone placement and signal chain selection, developed through years of working with top producers and engineers.
Mixing & Mastering
We transform recorded stems into polished commercial releases using industry-standard techniques. Our mixing process balances frequencies, dynamics, and spatial elements to create cohesive soundscapes. Mastering adds final polish with EQ, compression, and limiting while maintaining dynamic range. Remote clients receive real-time audio streams for instant feedback. We handle projects from initial tidying to final delivery, including metadata preparation and format-specific masters for CD, vinyl, and digital platforms.
Artist Development
Our development program supports artists through pre-production planning, industry navigation, and strategic career advice. We help create release timelines, identify funding opportunities, and build professional networks. Services include EPK creation, social media strategy, and connecting artists with management and publishing contacts. This guidance comes from Tom's extensive experience mentoring at The Songwriting Academy and lecturing at music institutions.
Production Tuition
Tailored lessons cover recording techniques, DAW operation, and production workflows in a professional studio environment. Tom Gibson's teaching combines Tonmeister-level theory with practical industry experience from over a decade in music production. Students learn microphone techniques, mixing strategies, and industry-standard software while working on real projects. The curriculum adapts to individual goals, whether entering the industry or refining existing skills.
Voiceovers
Our live room provides ideal conditions for voiceover recordings with HDMI feed for visual reference. The acoustically optimised space eliminates boxy resonance found in traditional booths, delivering clear, articulate narration. We've recorded BBC documentaries and corporate training materials, offering prompt turnaround and format compatibility. Clients benefit from Tom's experience working with professional voice artists and production companies.
People
Tom Gibson
Owner & Producer
Tonmeister graduate with 12+ years industry experience, mentoring at The Songwriting Academy. Specialises in recording, mixing, and artist development. Former engineer for Craig David and Birdy, now focused on nurturing Southampton's music talent.
Questions
What recording services do you offer?
We provide full recording services for vocals, instruments, and orchestral arrangements using professional-grade equipment in acoustically treated spaces.
Do you offer remote mixing/mastering?
Yes, we offer online services where you can upload stems via Wetransfer and receive high-quality mixes/mastering with real-time feedback via Skype.
What artist development support exists?
We offer pre-production planning, industry guidance, marketing advice, and career progression strategies for emerging artists.
Can I visit the studio before booking?
Yes, we welcome pre-production visits to discuss your project and familiarise yourself with our facilities.
What tuition options are available?
We provide production tuition with Tom Gibson and can connect you with local vocal/instrument tutors.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Henry Dorling
Jan 20, 2020
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I booked Blackhill Studios as a 14th birthday present for my son Jacob to record some drums. The studio experience was fantastic from start to finish. My initial contact with Courtney was professional friendly and informative with clear communication. On the day both Courtney and Tom were friendly efficient laid back and professional and gave Jacob an experience to remember. Courtney was excellent looking after us both and particularly with Jacob helping him to set things up, to understand the studio requirements and to help him write some lyrics which she sang brilliantly over the tracks he had
Matt
Aug 03, 2019
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It was awesome to be back in a studio after such a long time and Im really excited about how my songs are going to turn out under Blackhill Studios' expert guidance. Tom is very professional, good humoured and, most importantly, knows what he's doing.
Jack McNeilage
Apr 15, 2019
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What a fantastic experience using Tom to mix and master my band's track! Can't believe how good it sounds having been recorded in my attic haha. Definitely using Blackhill Studios for our other singles this year! Thanks a lot.
Linden Mckenzie
Dec 30, 2018
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The best recording studio in Southampton and a perfect recording venue for our second album. Tom was a real pleasure to work with and offered really helpful advice and professionalism throughout the whole process. Amazing range of equipment for recording all of our strange instruments and comfortable facilities for hanging out all day doing recording.
Hugh At ZephyrHillMusic
Oct 04, 2018
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Always great to work with Tom. He understands current music trends and works hard to create the track you need - highly recommend this studio if you want quality work done fast. Great banter provided free gratis.
