What Metropolis Studios does

Metropolis Studios is an independent London recording and mastering complex founded by producer and engineer Gary Langan in 1989 (with company history referencing 1993 as the start of its award-winning era). Operating from The Power House, a Grade II listed former power station at 70 Chiswick High Road spanning five floors, the company runs six state-of-the-art studios (Studios A, B, C, E, the Dolby Atmos Studio, and Studio X) plus production rooms and mastering suites, staffed by approximately 80 engineers, assistants, runners, and management. The studio has facilitated over 250 artist collaborations and won multiple Grammy and Mercury Prize awards since 1993, with a roster of six mastering engineers including Tony Cousins, Stuart Hawkes, Matt Colton (2025 Grammy winner for Peter Gabriel's 'i/o'), Andy Baldwin, Mike Hillier, and Felix Davis.

The technology stack centres on analogue heritage combined with cutting-edge digital and immersive audio infrastructure. Five studios are built around distinct SSL consoles (9072 J Series, 4064 G Series, 6032 G Series, XL 9072 K Series, plus an API 1608 sidecar), with extensive vintage and modern microphone and preamp collections (Neumann U47, U67, AKG C12, Telefunken AK47, Neve 1073/1081). The Dolby-certified Atmos Studio, launched in 2021, holds the highest resolution Atmos configuration in the UK at 11.2.8. Specialised capabilities include half-speed vinyl cutting using modified Neumann VMS 80 lathes and a proprietary live-to-vinyl direct-to-lacquer process.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: recording studio bookings (Studios A, B, C, E, Atmos, X), mixing services (attended, unattended, and remote via Metropolis Online), mastering services (stereo, Atmos, vinyl, remastering, tape transfer, online from £85/track), Dolby Atmos services (from £250/track), production suite rentals (e.g., £2,500/month for Production Suite 7), writing camp and corporate event takeovers (Sony, Warner Chappell, Meta, Spotify), film and TV location services, and online education through MIST. Customers span recording artists and producers, major record labels, corporate and brand clients, and film productions, with international reach delivered through local agents in China, Taiwan, France, Spain, and South Korea.

Name

Metropolis Studios

Legal name

Metropolis London Music Ltd.

Website

https://thisismetropolis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metropolis Studios is an independent London recording and mastering complex operating six studios (including the UK's highest-resolution Dolby Atmos room) from a Grade II listed facility, serving recording artists, major labels, and corporate clients with Grammy and Mercury Prize-winning engineers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audio Recording and Mastering Services

NAICS

Sound Recording Studios (512240)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Recording Studios (Commercial, Project, Mobile) (MPAIAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Audio Engineering Services (Tracking, Mixing, Mastering) (MPAIAHAD), Music Producers & Production Teams (MPAIAHAB)

Keywords

• Recording studio services
• Audio mastering services
• Dolby atmos production
• Music mixing services
• Vinyl mastering services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Recording Studio Bookings: Charging for hourly/daily access to recording studios (Studios A, B, C, E, Atmos Studio, Studio X) with or without engineers. Revenue driven by session bookings from artists, producers, and labels.
2. Mixing Services: Mixing sessions at studio with attended or unattended formats, priced per track. Also offered remotely via Metropolis Online service for international clients.
3. Mastering Services: Stereo mastering, Dolby Atmos mastering, lacquer cutting for vinyl (including half-speed), remastering, tape transfers, and online mastering. First available engineer from £85 per track. Wide range from attended studio sessions to online delivery.
4. Dolby Atmos Services: Atmos recording, mixing and mastering from £250 per track (individual) or £200 per track (album/bulk). Includes both Atmos Mix and Master as standard.
5. Events and Brand Activations: Revenue from corporate events, writing camps (full studio takeovers for labels like Sony, Warner Chappell), location filming, album playbacks, live-to-vinyl sessions, and VIP fan experiences.
6. Production Room Rentals: Dry-hire production suites (e.g., Production Suite 7 at £2,500 pcm) and Studio X for long-term and short-term rental. Residency programme offers up to 50% discount on studio bookings.
7. Education (MIST): Metropolis Institute of Sound Technology (MIST) provides paid online courses taught by in-house engineers. Inaugural course covers world-class mastering techniques.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Metropolis Studios operates a six-studio recording and mastering complex at The Power House in London, offering recording, mixing, mastering, Dolby Atmos immersive audio production, and proprietary live-to-vinyl recording services for artists, producers, record labels, and brands. Services are delivered by Grammy- and Mercury Prize-winning engineers, with online mixing and mastering extended globally via Metropolis Online and supplementary online education delivered through MIST.

Product overview

Metropolis Studios operates as a multi-studio recording complex offering a portfolio of interconnected audio production services. The core offering consists of six recording/mix studios (Studios A, B, C, E, Atmos Studio, and Studio X) plus production rooms, each serving different production needs from large ensemble recording to intimate vocal sessions. These physical studio facilities are supported by a suite of production services including professional mixing, mastering (stereo and Dolby Atmos), and the specialized Live-to-Vinyl recording service. The company extends its reach globally through Metropolis Online, enabling remote mixing and mastering, while MetPro provides guidance specifically for emerging artists. The Atmos Studio, launched in 2021, positions the company at the forefront of immersive audio. Educational offerings are delivered through MIST (Metropolis Institute of Sound Technology), providing online courses taught by the studio's engineers. Events and brand services complete the portfolio, offering corporate events, writing camps, and location services within the iconic Power House facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MIST (Metropolis Institute of Sound Technology): An online platform providing music recording and production courses created in collaboration with Metropolis in-house engineers, combining video and text lessons with hands-on web technologies, practical projects, assignments, and one-to-one sessions.
• Metropolis Online
• MetPro
• Live To Vinyl

Products and services

• Studio A Large main recording studio featuring an SSL 9072 J Series console, Genelec 1235 monitoring, Fazioli Concert Grand Piano, and three distinct acoustic rooms (main area, stone room, dead room) suitable for up to 26-piece ensembles. For artists, producers, and labels requiring large-scale recording sessions.
• Studio B Intimate recording studio centered around a classic SSL 4064 G Series console with Genelec main monitoring and a central live area flanked by two isolated booths. For artists and producers seeking focused recording and mixing sessions.
• Studio C Top-floor recording studio with abundant natural daylight, a custom SSL 6032 G Series console with Tangerine automation, PMC BB5/XBD main monitoring, and a synth wall for immediate plug-in capability. For artists and producers wanting daylight, large-format analogue recording, and modern hybrid workflows.
• Studio E 5.1 surround mix room built around an SSL XL 9072 K Series console with PMC BB5/XBD/MB1 active 5.1 monitoring, daylight, and a line-of-sight overdub booth. For surround mixing and overdub sessions for film, TV, and music projects.
• Atmos Studio Dolby-certified Atmos studio with 11.2.8 resolution configuration (highest in the UK), offering Atmos recording, mixing, mastering, broadcasting, and playbacks. For artists, labels, and producers releasing music on spatial audio streaming platforms.
• Studio X Modern production room split into a 25m² control room and 11m² vocal booth, equipped with Universal Audio Apollo interfaces, Neve preamps, and current audio software (Pro Tools, Ableton, FL Studio). For producers and artists working on production, vocals, and mixing in a hybrid setup.
• Production Rooms Basement-level dry-hire production suites available for short and long-term rental, offering creative workspace within the Metropolis Studios complex with access to the creative community. Production Suite 7 rents at £2,500 pcm with parking or £2,200 pcm without, with residency rates up to 50% off studio bookings.
• Mixing Services Professional mixing combining individual tracks with adjusted levels, tonal qualities, and spatial positioning. Available both attended and unattended at the London studios or remotely via Metropolis Online, with mixing by engineers including Paul Norris, Alex Robinson, and Harpaal Sanghera.
• Mastering Services Comprehensive mastering from traditional stereo to Dolby Atmos, including vinyl lacquer cutting (half-speed capable), remastering, tape transfers, and online mastering. Features six mastering engineers including Tony Cousins, Stuart Hawkes, and Matt Colton. First available engineer from £85 per track.
• Atmos Mixing & Mastering Dolby Atmos immersive audio services including recording, mixing, mastering, and broadcasting in the Dolby-certified Atmos studio. Atmos mixing from £250 per track (individual) or £200 per track (album/bulk over 25 minutes), with both Atmos Mix and Master included.
• Metropolis Online Online mixing and mastering portal enabling artists worldwide to upload tracks, communicate their vision, and receive mastered files via a secure portal. Offers mixing from £250 and mastering from £85 per track, extending Metropolis's reach to global clients without requiring a London studio visit.
• MetPro Service specifically designed for emerging and unsigned artists, guiding them from recording to releasing music with studio team support to maximise investment and potential. For independent musicians with limited budgets needing affordable access to professional facilities and mentorship.
• Events & Brand Services Music campaigns and activations including brand strategy, artist curation, event production, writing camps, location filming, album playbacks, live-to-vinyl sessions, corporate events, and VIP fan experiences. For record labels, brands, and corporations using the Grade II listed Power House as a distinctive venue.
• Live-to-Vinyl Direct-to-lacquer vinyl recording service capturing live performances straight to vinyl master, completely bypassing digital processing for an authentic analogue sound using cutting lathes. Metropolis is home to this format. For artists, labels, and brands seeking unique physical artefacts and memorable recording experiences.
• MIST (Metropolis Institute of Sound Technology) Online music recording and production courses developed by Metropolis in-house engineers, combining video/text lessons with hands-on projects, practical assignments, and one-to-one sessions with world-renowned engineers. For aspiring engineers, producers, and musicians seeking professional training.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% client and DSP approval benchmark for Atmos projects
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers52 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sony Music EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSony Music regularly books full studio takeovers and lockouts at Metropolis for writing camps with their roster of writers and producers. The studio provides the creative environment and full technical support for these extended sessions.
• Warner Chappell MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWarner Chappell hosts major writing camps at Metropolis, including one of London's biggest writing camps across Wireless weekends, bringing around 30 international writers and producers to collaborate with UK talent.
• Meta (Facebook)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeta books full studio takeovers and lockouts at Metropolis for creative sessions with their partnered artists and writers.
• SpotifycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpotify books full studio takeovers and lockouts at Metropolis for writing camps and creative sessions with their roster of artists and producers.
• MastercardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMastercard partnered with Metropolis for a 'Live to Vinyl' session featuring Samm Henshaw, creating branded content that showcased the unique live-to-vinyl recording experience.
• Dolby LaboratoriescoreTechnology or IntegrationMetropolis Atmos Studio is Dolby-certified, representing an official partnership with Dolby for immersive audio production. The studio maintains the highest resolution Atmos configuration in the UK (11.2.8) as part of this certified partnership.
• Apple MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMetropolis Studios Atmos / HD playlist is hosted on Apple Music, providing a platform to showcase spatial audio mixes to Apple Music's global user base and demonstrate Atmos capabilities to artists and labels.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Abbey Road Studios: The most iconic commercial recording studio in the world, located in London. Competes directly with Metropolis for marquee recording, mixing, and mastering projects across pop, rock, classical, and film score work, and operates a similarly differentiated heritage-led positioning.
• AIR Studios: George Martin's legendary London recording complex (Lyndhurst Hall and Olympic Studios). Directly comparable to Metropolis as a premium multi-studio London facility serving film-score, classical, and major-label artists, with comparable prestige pricing and high-end residential-attached infrastructure.
• RAK Studios: Long-established London recording studio serving major-label artists across pop, rock, and orchestral recording. Competes directly with Metropolis in the same mid-to-premium tier of artist-facing recording bookings in London.
• Strongroom: Major London recording studio complex offering recording, mixing, and post-production services across pop, hip-hop, and electronic music. Overlaps with Metropolis on artist roster, producer clientele, and London-based premium studio positioning.
• British Grove Studios: High-end London recording and mixing studio built by Mark 'Spike' Stent; another top-tier destination mixing facility. Competes directly with Metropolis for premium mixing and recording sessions for major-label artists.
• Eastcote Studios: London-based recording and mixing studio serving major pop and hip-hop artists. Closely comparable to Metropolis in terms of clientele and residential/professional service format.
• The Church Studios: Premium London recording studio (formerly owned by Dave Stewart) offering recording, mixing, and production services. Similar positioning to Metropolis in serving established and emerging artists with high-end equipment and creative environments.
• SARM Studios: Historic London recording complex (Trevor Horn's facility) providing premium recording and mixing services. Direct competitor to Metropolis for high-end pop, rock, and electronic artist projects in the London market.
• Sterling Sound: World-leading independent mastering facility with locations in New York, Nashville, and London. Directly comparable to Metropolis Mastering on engineer-driven mastering for Grammy-level major-label releases and Atmos.

Emerging players

• LANDR: AI-driven automated mastering platform serving independent artists at lower price points. Not a direct competitor at the top end, but represents the long-tail commoditization pressure on Metropolis Mastering's online and entry-level pricing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThisMetropolis
• Facebookfacebook.com/metropolisstudios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metropolis Studios