Clients
The St Johns Wood studios have played host to an enormous number of diverse and exciting recording artists and producers over the 35 years its doors have been open. Click on a producer to read a testimonial.
Testimonials
I cannot express how much I love making records at RAK. Between their incredible, hard working and kind staff, the impeccably looked after equipment or the world renowned biscuit cupboard - it's a producers dream.
Studio 2 specifically is my favourite place to hide away and create. You feel the history when you are in there. It's also arguably the best drum sound in Europe. I've had my favourite album making memories at RAK and can't wait to have plenty more.
Without RAK studios my life would have taken a very different path and to be honest, I would not have enjoyed the career I have had. Siouxsie And The Banshees, Psychedelic Furs, Thompson Twins, Kirsty MacColl, Big Country Travis, The Pogues and Beady Eye have all had the benefit of the sunniest control room in London.
RAK has some of the best, and best maintained equipment anywhere in the world and their commitment to nurturing the next generation of producers and engineers is exemplary.
In a world of constant change I know that for the last 30 years I have been able to pick up the phone and some of my favourite people will be answering. Thank you RAK.
Having recorded at RAK since 1979 this year has only reinforced my opinion that RAK must be the best studio in UK, if not the world! The studio excels in so many areas other studios fail: big rooms (or small if you want), daylight (if you want it), first class gear (where else do you get 48 input API), huge selection of microphones and Studer tape if you want it, high class accommodation and gourmet food, ample parking and it's in the best area of London. The engineers and staff are always like family and it comes with the great tradition knowing that so many hit records have been made there. At RAK you can do anything and I can't wait to get back
I always look forward to working at RAK, it has the rarest of qualities in the modern studio landscape. It combines classic equipment, great sounding rooms & top-notch technical expertise. But it does all this with a staff of exceptional, welcoming people, for whom nothing seems too much trouble. Long may it continue to prosper.
I've been recording at RAK for nearly a decade now, and that's for a number of reasons. It's the perfect place for me. I love the sound of the live rooms - they're all different but great in their own ways. The equipment is high end and always works, and on the rare occasions there's been a problem it's been sorted immediately. The mic collection, the outboard, vintage desks, the accommodation, the rec areas and staff are all fantastic and go to make it a tremendous place to spend long hours working. X DK
Rak studios are a rare thing in London in as much as that it has consistently resisted the fickle and fast moving fashions of the recording industry. Instead of trying to compete with the latest and greatest it has trod its own path, and in doing so has preserved what appealed to the musicians who first walked through those strange glass doors. And equally by never trying to be all things to all people what you get is something truly unique - which as far as I'm concerned couldn't be more important in today's world of homogenised pop music. This being said, a studio is far more than bricks and mortar, and green-carpeted walls...it is the people that make RAK a great place to make music in. Because if you can't have a good time making music then what's the point in recording it?!!
I just know RAK is the best studio in the best neighbourhood with the best people who have always treated me so well!!! xxrick
Rak studio one is my top favourite drum room in London. The large wooden room creates a lovely warm room sound that works well for everything. It would be hard not to get a great drum sound in there straight away.
In the last year I recorded all the drums for the latest Keane album and the fourth coming Tom Odell album for Sony. Prior to that it's also where I tracked the Vaccines. The API desk is in excellent condition and is the only one like it in a commercial studio in the UK. The mic collection is extensive and so it's always a joy recording in there. It's also the warmest sounding room for strings or anything acoustic.
All the staff are fantastic and will do anything they can to accommodate your every need; there's no better place to track!
I've recorded some live sessions for my solo record at RAK and worked with The Last Shadow Puppets there. Whether you're working in the huge space of Studio 1 or the smaller more intimate rooms, there is simply a great atmosphere and vibe about the studio. The vintage equipment is quality and the engineers are all talented guys. Everyone at the studio is happy to help and that makes the whole experience of working at RAK just so fun and easy. I can't wait to work there again!
Over the years RAK has worked with the following artists:
Paul McCartney
The Who
Yes
Thompson Twins
Duran Duran
Peter Tosh
Big Country
Simply Red
Boy George
Curiosity Killed The Cat
The Cure
The Pogues
Moody Blues
Siouxsie & The Banshees
Ultravox
Michael Jackson
Whitney Houston
Wet Wet Wet
Randy California
John Martyn
Pretenders
Roger Daltrey
Status Quo
Kiki Dee and Elton John
Bonnie Tyler
Level 42
Sam Smith
Disclosure
Saint Raymond
Barry Manilow
Junior Giscombe
Lamont Dozier / Ben E King
Sting
Chris Rea
Galaxy
Pink Floyd
Classix Nouveau
David Essex
Psychedelic Furs
Stone Roses
Private Lives
The Jam
Adam and the Ants
Gerry Rafferty
Dionne Warwick
Gary Numan
Russ Ballard
Joan Armatrading
Thin Lizzy
The Police
XTC
Stray Cats
Michael Des Barres
Chris Squires
ABC
Emeli Sande
Royal Blood
Ed Sheeran
Randy Edelman
Jools Holland
Imagination
The Smiths
Midnight Oil
Ricky Lee Jones
Pet Shop Boys
Ted Hawkins
Teena Marie
Gallagher and Lyle
Sinead O'Connor
Alison Moyet
Icehouse
Ocean Colour Scene
Robert Plant
Young Disciples
Robert Palmer
Kirsty McColl
Robbie Nevil
Nick Kamen
INXS
The La's
Johnny Hates Jazz
Blow Monkeys
Erasure
Loose Ends
Frank Ocean
Mary J. Blige
Tom Odell
Brand New Heavies
Scott Walker
Radiohead
Nick Lowe
Al Green
Shed Seven
Robbie Williams
Tricky / Elvis Costello
Carlene Anderson
Plant/Page Project
Kula Shaker
Rick Wright (Pink Floyd)
The Sundays
Cast
Travis
Manbreak
Bernard Butler
Edwin Star
Beth Orton
Warm Jets
UNKLE / DJ Shadow
Ace of Base
Des'Ree
Elastica
Alison Limerick
Prince Buster / Aswad
Ella Henderson
Nile Rodgers
Kodaline and Clean Bandit
Hot Chocolate
Fine Young Cannibals
New Order
Monday Michuri
Manic Street Preachers
Dodgy
Ritchie Havens
Hoax
Frente
Depeche Mode
Seasick Steve
Dr John
Chrissie Hynde / UB40
Electronic
Cleopatra
Ultrasound
Tanita Tickeram
Curve
Dubstar
Baaba Maal
David Bowie
Natalie Imbruglia
Rakettes
Shakira
Disclosure
Saint Raymond
Jess Glyne
James
Birdy
Tinie Tempah