Join us for a Tour of the Abbey Road Institute Campus and Studios 301 in Sydney
Are you looking for audio courses in Australia? Want to get a closer look at what Abbey Road Institute Sydney has to offer? Let us take you on a tour of our campus and the facilities at Studios 301 that you as a student will have access to throughout your time studying with us.
The move to Sydney’s most iconic recording studio
In 2021, we made the move from Melbourne to a new facility in Sydney. This marked the beginning of our collaboration with Studios 301 – Australia’s most iconic recording studio. The studio is home to such local and international artists such as Genesis Owusu, Katy Perry, Lizzo, Vance Joy, Amy Shark, Budjerah, Masked Wolf, Arctic Monkeys, Jessica Mauboy, Lime Cordiale, Jimmy Barnes, Parkway Drive, Delta Goodrem, Lil Nas X, and many more.
Video: Cold Chisel – Getting The Band Back Together: recorded & filmed in Studio 1
Our students have the opportunity to learn in a professional recording studio that is at the heart of the music community. Therefore giving direct access to the industry network that students aspire to join upon graduation. This will provide a unique and unparalleled learning environment within the music industry, with high expectations for work placement opportunities.
Campus – where your classes happen
Located in Mascot, our campus is just a 5-minute walk from Mascot Station. Only a few stops from the CBD, you can easily get here via the Airport and South Line of the Sydney Trains network. There are a number of coffee shops and takeaway options in the Meriton Retail Precinct. Famous Sydney eateries like Bourke Street Bakery and Sonoma are within walking distance.
This is the exclusive space where we teach most of our classes. Students can access a range of workstations to use for their school or personal projects. In addition, there is a kitchen and lounge to use during breaks between classes.
The 50-square metre classroom is an intimate space used for audio theory and guest masterclasses. Each student has access to an iMac, an Apollo interface, Beyerdynamic headphones and a Novation Launchkey MIDI Controller. The classroom is also equipped with PMC monitors, which are the same ones used in the student access studios.
We also hold masterclasses, Industry Access events and exclusive Studios 301 short courses in this space including most recently the Screen Music: Compose, Produce, Sync with Amara Primero.
Studios 301 – your exclusive access to the best recording facility and music community in Australia
We hold all practical in-studio classes at Studios 301. From audio theory and production, to post-production and more. Here students can work on their recording assignments, utilising the live rooms for Studio 1 and 2, as well as work on their personal projects in the exclusive Abbey Road Institute suites.
Thanks to the collaboration with Studios 301, you as a student get direct access to the rooms that are frequented by major labels, artists, content creators and brands. This is Australia’s largest commercial working studio and truly sets the Abbey Road Institute experience apart from studying anywhere else in Australia.
Studio 1 – The ultimate recording studio without limitations
Studio 1 is the main and largest recording studio at Studios 301. Abbey Road Institute students have access to this space through practical classes, workshops and Industry Access sessions.
Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of this space is the beautiful, custom-built 201 square metre recording space including two isolation booths and a Yamaha C7 grand piano. It is ideal for recording large bands, orchestras and hosting live events.
Inside the 75 square metre control room, there is a 72-channel Neve 88R. It is considered by many to be the ultimate analog recording console. Additionally, there is an extensive collection of vintage outboard gear – including the famed Fairchild 670 and gear from brands like Teletronix, Pultec and Avalon. Our students also get to join in on tape recording workshops and sessions on a Studer A800.
Studio 2 – great artists make their best music at great studios
Students will spend most of their class time working on projects in Studio 2. You may recognise this space from the Red Bull 64 bars series as well as countless other recording sessions including Zedd and Katy Perry, Hayden James, Delta Goodrem, Kelly Rowland and more.
Studio 2 features the iconic SSL 9000K 48-channel console. Utilising vintage and modern gear, additional Neve preamps sit alongside the outboard collection in the control room. There is also an adjoining 35-square metre live recording space with three isolated areas.
Students are also able to book this space to work on their final recording project in Trimester 3.
“As a student of Abbey Road Institute Sydney, gaining access to the top-class commercial facilities for recording, mixing and mastering at Studios 301 has been integral to my professional training and development in production and engineering. In particular, the final production project during Trimester 3 has provided the valuable opportunity to professionally produce, record, mix and master release-ready tracks with full access to the highest audio quality and support at Studios 301 in Studio 2, 7 and 10.”
– Isabella Loong – Trimester 3 Student
Studio 4 – All you need to make your sound international
Studio 4 is a commercial production studio that Abbey Road Institute students share with Studios 301 clients. Prior to Abbey Road Institute students having access to this room, it also was a long term tenanted space to some of Australia’s biggest music exports including Genesis Owusu and 7 x Grammy nominated Producer Khaled Rohaim (The Kid LAROI, Doja Cat, Onefour, Juice WRLD, Rihanna). It also played host to a number of writing camps, including SongHubs hosted by APRA AMCOS, NATSIMO, Nando’s Music Exchange and more.
The versatile design of the studio is perfect for songwriting and collaboration. It features a connecting nine square metre iso booth for recording vocals, solo instruments, and more. Students can regularly book this studio if Studio 7 & 8 are at capacity.
Exclusive Studios reserved for Abbey Road Institute students – where you’ll spend everyday working on music
As an Abbey Road Institute student, you have the unique opportunity to gain access to Studio 7 and Studio 8, two commercial production studios located within the Studios 301 complex.
These studios are exclusively available 7 days a week, allowing you to work on assignments, projects, and your own music. We love seeing what our students come up with when they start to collaborate with other artists and producers! That’s why we also hold our in-house Abbey Road Institute writing camps in these rooms.
Studio 7 – The Production Suite
Studio 7 is an ideal space for starting collaborations as a self-contained production suite with the same workstation and setup as the classroom and external workstations across campus and the 301 lobby. This studio, whilst being ideal for songwriting and composing, is also perfect for mixing and mastering.
Studio 8 – the home of your final project
Studio 8 is equipped with a 16-channel API analog console and a separate live room, making it perfect for vocal tracking and small-scale instrument recordings. This studio is where you hone your production skills and learn the fundamentals of signal flow, patchbays, and compressors before you graduate to the larger studio consoles throughout the facility. Students spend the most time here while they work on their final projects in Trimester 3.
Prior to being made available to Abbey Road Institute students, these studios were used by clients including Warner Music Australia, Tommy Trash, Voli K, and Glades.
“Having the freedom to bring other artists and collaborators into the studio has been a game changer for me as a producer. Organising sessions before was always challenging, but now having a home base where I can collaborate with artists for my career has made a huge difference in my ability to navigate the industry.”
– Isaac, Trimester 3 student“As a vocalist and guitarist, the API is my favourite console to record on because of its simplicity and versatility. Whether it’s for pop or contemporary music, it’s just perfect for detailed and warm recordings.”
– Andy Fong, ARI Technical Officer / Alumni
Studio 10: Mastering & Mix Studio + Dolby Atmos Suite
The facility also includes a specially calibrated Dolby Atmos Suite, which has become a favourite of Abbey Road Institute trainer Stefan Du Randt as the resident Dolby Atmos mixing engineer for Studios 301. Students can enjoy lectures and workshops on Dolby Atmos and get a first-hand experience of spatial audio in music.
“Dolby Atmos really is the future of music. The format can make your mixes feel cinematic and immersive, almost like you’re watching the story of the song unfold.”
– Stefan, Abbey Road Institute Lead Trainer and Studios 301 Senior Mixing Engineer
Do you want to find out more?
We invite you to explore the unparalleled production opportunities available at Abbey Road Institute and Studios 301. To get a first-hand look at our recording studios and a feel for our community, schedule a personal tour with our Student Administrator or join us at one of our Open Days or workshops open to the public.
A great way to get notified of any upcoming events and workshops is to subscribe to our newsletter.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community and helping you take the next step in your production journey and music career. So don’t hesitate, reach out today and start your journey alongside the music industry!
